Dr. Lan Zhou

Assistant Professor of Practice in Biology
Office Location: 316 Olin Hall
lan.zhou@drake.edu

Dr. Lan Zhou was born and raised in China. After attending Peking University and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, she earned a master’s degree and worked for a short period at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1992, Dr. Zhou attended Iowa State University to enroll in a Ph.D. program in the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. During her tenure at ISU, she worked with Dr. Robert Thornburg on using pyrimidine pathway to produce mutant plants that fail to respond to wound induction.

After graduating from ISU with a Ph.D. in biochemistry, Dr. Zhou joined DuPont Pioneer as a research scientist, where she conducted research in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology with the aim of developing products. During her time there, Dr. Zhou participated in numerous research projects. Her responsibilities included literature review, experimental design, bench work, data analysis, and project review. She also managed daily laboratory operations and collaborated with multiple cross-functional teams to ensure projects progressed as planned and deadlines were met.

Before joining Drake, Dr. Zhou served as an adjunct instructor of chemistry at the DMACC Ankeny campus beginning in 2019. She taught CHM132 Intro to Organic/Biochemistry, CHM122 Intro to General Chemistry, CHM165 General Chemistry I, and CHM175 General Chemistry II. 

Dr. Zhou was hired as a full-time faculty member by the Biology Department in April 2025. She was the inaugural faculty member from the department to teach at the Drake-Qingdao University United College in the fall of 2025.

When she returns to the Drake campus, Dr. Zhou plans to continue her research in the area of antibiotic resistance.