Pioneering Paleontologist Zhu Maoyan Redefines Understanding of Early Life’s Evolution
A childhood dream sparked a groundbreaking career for Zhu Maoyan, whose research into the origins of complex life has earned him international acclaim and a place among Science magazine’s 2024 Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs. The globally recognized expert was also named an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in November, adding to his accolades as an honorary fellow of the Geological Society of London.
Zhu’s journey began with a simple desire: to climb a mountain. Growing up in Wangjiang county, Anhui province, a region characterized by flat terrain, he was captivated by a classmate’s remark that geologists spend their days scaling peaks. “A high school classmate once told me that geologists get to climb mountains every day. That idea captivated me,” Zhu recalled. This sparked a lifelong pursuit of geology and, ultimately, paleontology.
He began his formal training in the 1980s at the then Changchun College of Geology in Jilin province, choosing to specialize in paleontology due to its intersection with biology. “I was drawn to study life forms that existed a long time ago,” he explained, a curiosity that led him to the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology at the CAS for his doctoral studies – the foundation of his professional career.
Zhu believes that scientific inquiry stems from a fundamental human desire to understand our origins. “Just as every child asks their parents, ‘Where did I come from?’, humans have an inherent desire to understand nature and life. Our research channels this universal childhood curiosity into rigorous scientific exploration,” the 61-year-old stated.
His doctoral research centered on the Chengjiang fossils, a globally significant fossil assemblage in Yunnan province, offering an unprecedented glimpse into 518-million-year-old fauna. These fossils are internationally recognized as crucial for understanding the evolution of early life. His initial field expedition to Yunnan proved challenging, requiring a full day of travel to reach a remote site and a makeshift alarm system – a wash basin on the door latch – due to his nervousness. The following day, a treacherous climb in a heavy rainstorm tested his determination. “My legs were shaking as I climbed, using both my hands and feet to hold onto the surrounding plants, afraid of slipping,” he said, acknowledging his inexperience at the time.
From 1997 to 1999, Zhu expanded his research horizons as a senior visiting scholar at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. Upon returning to China in 1999, with support from the CAS talent program, he established his own research team at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology. “Over the decades, my team has achieved some results in unraveling the mysteries of the Cambrian explosion and exploring the early evolution of complex life,” he noted.
The Cambrian explosion, occurring over 500 million years ago, represents a period of rapid diversification in animal life, establishing a new Earth-life system. This phenomenon has puzzled scientists since Darwin’s time. Zhu’s research in stratigraphy provides the crucial timeline for understanding this evolution, demanding extensive fieldwork.
A recent breakthrough, achieved in collaboration with his doctoral student Miao Lanyun, involved the discovery of over 200 multicellular eukaryote fossil specimens in 1.63-billion-year-old strata in the Yanshan Mountain region of North China. This discovery, featured in Science‘s 2024 Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs, pushes back the known appearance of multicellular eukaryotes by 70 million years. Most animals, plants, and fungi are multicellular eukaryotes, and their development was essential for the evolution of complex life. Previously, it was believed these organisms existed as single cells for approximately a billion years. This new evidence suggests multicellularity emerged much earlier.
Zhu emphasizes the importance of passion in scientific pursuit. “When you believe something is worth doing and have the interest to support it, you won’t feel it is arduous or bothersome, nor will you become impatient,” he said. He encourages young people to follow their instincts, rather than succumbing to external pressures. “I encourage young people to trust their inner voices and not be overly swayed by family or societal pressures. Don’t stress about whether your chosen field will be lucrative or respected. Let go of these worries. Make your own judgments, don’t give up easily, and you’ll always find hope.”
Currently, Zhu and his team are focused on three key areas: extending the study of complex life to even earlier periods, exploring the origins of life and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and further investigating the Cambrian explosion. He acknowledges the frequent question regarding the practical applications of basic research, asserting that its core value lies in satisfying humanity’s innate curiosity. “My research is driven by fundamental questions: Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?”
Zhu highlights the rapid development of paleontological research in China, fueled by increased investment and the opening of numerous natural and science museums. “This environment encourages both senior and young paleontologists in China to pursue this field. In the future, we should promote the love of nature and life. By doing this, we can inspire more young people to follow their passions and pursue careers in scientific research,” he said.
Recognizing the global nature of science, Zhu emphasizes the importance of international collaboration. “We not only study Chinese paleontological data but also conduct research worldwide,” he stated. “Globally, each continent has unique fossil resources. I hope our research involves more international collaboration to fully utilize these global resources. Our perspective is global, and our research is open to international cooperation. We welcome overseas colleagues to study China’s resources.”
