Meet Yuexun Tian, Ph.D., entomologist at Central Life Sciences, expert in arthropod vectors and vector-borne diseases, and subject of the next installment of our “Standout Early Career Professionals” series. Here, Tian poses while exploring Portland, Oregon, while there for Entomology 2025.

By Zach Cohen, Ph.D.

Editor’s Note: This is the next article in the “Standout ECPs” series contributed by the Entomological Society of America’s Early Career Professionals (ECP) Committee, highlighting outstanding ECPs that are doing great work in the profession. (An ECP is defined as anyone within the first five years of obtaining their terminal degree in their field.) Read past articles in the Standout ECPs series.

Yuexun Tian, Ph.D.

Yuexun Tian, Ph.D., is currently a product development specialist and entomologist at Central Life Sciences in Dallas, Texas. She earned her B.S. in plant protection from China Agricultural University in 2016, her M.S. in entomology from Auburn University in 2017, and her Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Florida in 2022. Following her doctoral training, she completed a postdoctoral appointment at Texas A&M University, where she continued research focused on arthropod vectors and vector-borne diseases.

Cohen: How did you get into entomology? 

Tian: Honestly, it started kind of unexpectedly. I was never afraid of bugs growing up—I actually liked catching them and just looking at them. In college, my major was plant protection, and we had to choose between plant pathology and entomology. Around that time, I was watching CSI: Las Vegas, and one of the main characters was an entomologist. Seeing insects used in real investigations made me think, “OK, this is actually really cool.” Once I started studying entomology, I found myself enjoying it more and more, and it just felt like the right fit.

What do you do in your current job?

I started this role at Central Life Sciences in October 2025, so I’m still getting up to speed, but my work mainly involves designing and developing product efficacy studies for EPA submissions. Most of my time is spent working on studies that evaluate how effective products are against different arthropods.

Yuexun Tian, Ph.D. (pictured here in protective gear during field work) says she got into entomology after watching CSI: Las Vegas, in which one of the main characters was an entomologist. “Seeing insects used in real investigations made me think, ‘OK, this is actually really cool,'” she says.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Even though it hasn’t happened yet, since I’m still new in this role, the most rewarding part for me is knowing that the work I do can eventually turn into real products on the market. It’s really exciting to think that studies I contribute to can help bring something from development all the way to people actually using it.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

One of the more interesting adjustments for me has been transitioning from academia to industry. In academia, there’s often more flexibility in how research questions are explored, while in industry the work is more structured and goal-oriented, especially with regulatory submissions. It’s taken a little time to get used to that shift, but I’ve really enjoyed learning how my research skills fit into a more applied, real-world context.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?

I see myself continuing to work in entomology and growing my expertise over time. I’d like to keep learning, take on more responsibility, and contribute to the entomology community—whether that’s through applied research, sharing knowledge, or supporting best practices in the field.

Who inspires you to do what you do?

It’s hard to name just one person. I’d say my mentors and peers throughout my education in entomology have inspired me in different ways. Seeing their dedication, curiosity, and persistence really motivated me to keep learning and improving in the field.

What would you do if you weren’t working in entomology?

This one’s easy for me. I would open either a bakery or a reptile store!

In her free time, Yuexun Tian, Ph.D., enjoys cooking and baking, and she also started rock climbing in 2024. “It’s become one of my favorite hobbies—it’s a great way for me to stay active and reset outside of work,” she says.

Do you have time for any hobbies?

Yes, I do. When I have time, I really enjoy cooking and baking. I also started climbing in 2024, and it’s become one of my favorite hobbies—it’s a great way for me to stay active and reset outside of work.

What is your advice for other early career professionals?

Always try to enjoy what you’re doing, even when things get tough. Look for the fun in your work, and if it’s not there, make it fun. When you stay engaged and positive, opportunities tend to follow.

What is your favorite arthropod and why?

Ticks are my favorite, even though I know that’s not a popular answer. They can be annoying and intimidating, but biologically they’re incredible organisms. During my Ph.D., I worked with ticks that survived for over two years without food, which I still find amazing.

Are there any exciting directions that you think entomology is headed?

I think one of the most exciting directions entomology is heading is increased collaboration with other disciplines, like artificial intelligence and physics. Those approaches can help us analyze complex data, model insect behavior, and design better tools or studies. There’s already some really interesting work happening in this area, and I think it has a lot of potential to benefit the field.

Thanks Yuexun! Learn more about Yuexun Tian and her work via LinkedIn or ResearchGate.

Zachary Cohen, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral researcher Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Previously, he worked in a postdoctoral role at the at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in College Station, Texas. He currently serves as the Southwestern Branch representative to the ESA Early Career Professionals Committee. Email: zachary.pcohen@gmail.com.

All photos courtesy of Yuexun Tian, Ph.D.