After graduating with a BSc and MSc at the Xi’an Institute of College, Zhen was admitted to the Institute of Geology and Geophysics on completion of his PhD and focused on the tectonic setting of the Devonian sedimentary rocks and mineralization of the Qinling orogenic belt. After spending half and three years on PhD studying, he began to be a post-doc in January 2003 until April 2006 at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, CAS and focused on the late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern North China craton, tectonic setting of the Silurian-Devonian volcano-sedimentary rocks of Qilian orogen, and sedimentary environments, provenances, and tectonic setting of Triassic sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Kunlun and Songpan-Ganze orogenic belts. He was a visiting scholar at the University of Sydney in March 2013 - March 2014 and the University of Queensland in January – March 2016 and focused on the mélanges formation processes and tectonic significance with Professor Jonathan Aitchison and Dr. Solomon Buckman.

main research theme is on the mélange formation and the tectonic setting of Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun and Songpan-Ganze orogens. 

His interest particularly lies in the mélanges formation and the tectonic setting of sedimentary basins of Qilian-Kunlun-Qinling orogenic belts (Chinese Central Orogenic Belt).

                        2017-2020  Study on tectonic evolution of the early Paleozoic Lajishan trench-arc system; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC), No. 41672221.

                   2016-2019  Study on the tectono-magmatic events of the junction between Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens and geological mapping for Lajishan subductionary complex. China Geological Survey, No. D1612-4.

                    2014-2017  Sedimentary analysis of the wedge-top basin within Ophiolite mélange belt in Lajishan Mountains; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC), No. 41372207. 

                      2014-2015  Paleozoic – Mesozoic tectonic transformation and related mineralization of the junction between Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogens. China Geological Survey, No. 12120114080001.

                      2012-2015  Volacno-sedimentation and tectonic setting of mineralization of the Caotangou Group in the western segment of the North Qinling; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC), No. 41172178.

                      2012-2015 Evaluation of selected exploration areas of copper-polymetallic deposits in Tamazula-Manzanillo of Jalisco, Mexico. China Geological Survey, No. [2012]A2-01.

               2011-2015  Deep prospecting modal, exploration technology integration and demonstration of porphyry Co-Mu-Au deposits in Shanyang-Zhashui ore district, Shannxi Province. Ministry of Science and Technology of P.R.C., No. 2011BAB04B05.

                    2011-2013  Tectonic setting, plate tectonics and metallogenic background of the junction between the Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogenic belts. China Geological Survey, No. 1212011120159.

                    2009-2010  Study on the tectonic and metallogenic setting of the unction between the Qinling, Qilian, and Kunlun orogenic belts. China Geological Survey, No. 1212010911033. 

                  2008-2010  Provenance constraints on the Devonian tectonic setting of the east Qinling; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC), No. 40772137.

    Zhen Yan, Lei Chen, Solomon Buckman, Changlei Fu, Xianqing Guo, 2017. Stratigraphy and tectonic setting of Laochang massive sulfide deposit in the North Qinling belt, central China. Ore Geology Reviews 81, 96-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2016.09.019.

    Zhen Yan, Jonathan Aitchison, Changlei Fu, Xianqing Guo, Wenjing Xia, Manlan Niu, 2016. Devonian sedimentation in the Xiqingshan Mountains: Implications for paleogeographic reconstructions of the SW Qinling Orogen. Sedimentary Geology 343, 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.07.009.

    Zhen Yan, Changlei Fu, ZongqiWang, Quanren Yan, Lei Chen, Junlu Chen, 2016. Late Paleozoic subduction-accretion along the southern margin of the North Qinling terrane, central China: evidence from zircon U-Pb dating and geochemistry of the Wuguan Complex. Gondwana Research 30, 97-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2015.05.005.

    Zhen Yan, Jonathan Aitchison, Changlei Fu, Xianqing Guo, Manlan Niu,Wenjing Xia, Jiliang Li, 2015. Hualong Complex, South Qilian terrane: U-Pb and Lu-Hf constraints on Neoproterozoic micro-continental fragments accreted to the northern Proto-Tethyan margin. Precambrian Research 266, 65-85.

    Zhen Yan, Xianqing Guo, Changlei Fu, Jonathan Aitchison, Wang Zongqi, Jiliang Li. 2014. Detrital heavy minerals constraints on the Triassic tectonic evolution of the West Qinling terrane, NW China: implications for understanding subduction of the Paleotethyan Ocean. The Journal of Geology 122, 591-608. doi: 10.1086/677264.

    Yan Zhen, Wang Zongqi, Chen Lei, Liu Shuwen, Ren Tao, Xu Xueyi, Wang Ruiting, 2014. Tectono-magmatism and metallogeneses of Shanyang-Zhashui ore concentration area in Qinling Orogen. Acta Petrologica Sinica 30, 401-414 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Fu Canglei, Yan Zhen, Guo Xianqing, Niu Manlan, Xia Wnjing, Wang Zongqi, Li Jiliang, 2014. Geochemistry and SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age of diabases in the Lajishankou ophiolitic mélange, South Qilian terrane. Acta Petrologica Sinica 30, 1695-1706 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Zhen Yan, Zongqi Wang, Quanren Yan, Tao Wang, Xianqing Guo. 2012. Geochemical constraints on the provenance and depositional setting of the Devonian Liuling Group, east Qinling Mountains, central China: implications for the tectonic evolution of the Qinling orogenic belt. Journal of Sedimentary Research 82, 9-20. doi: 10.2110/jsr.2012.4.

    Yan Zhen, Wang Zongqi, Li Jiliang, Xu Zhiqin, Deng Jinfu, 2012. Tectonic settings and accretionary orogenesis of the West Qinling terrane，northeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau. Acta Petrologica Sinica 28, 1808-1828 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Xianqing Guo, Zhen Yan, Zongqi Wang, Tao Wang, Kejun Hou, Fu Changlei, Jiliang Li. 2012. Middle-Triassic arc magmatism along the northeastern margin of the Tibet: U-Pb and Lu-Hf zircon characterization of the Gangcha complex in the West Qinling terrane, central China. Journal of the Geological Society London 169, 327-336. doi: 10.1144/0016-76492011-083.

     Yan Zhen, Wang Zongqi, Chen Junlu, Yan Quanren, Wang Tao. 2010. Detrital record of Neoproterozoic arc-magmatism along the NW margin of the Yangtze Block, China: U–Pb geochronology and petrography of sandstones. Journal of Asia Earth Science 37, 322-334. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2009.09.001.

    Yan Z., Xiao W.J., Windley B.F., Wang Z.Q., Li J.L. 2010. Silurian clastic sediments in the North Qilian Shan, NW China: chemical and isotopic constraints on their forearc provenance with implications for the Paleozoic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau. Sedimentary Geology 231, 98-134. Doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2010.09.001.

     Yan Zhen, Bian Qian Tao, Oleg A. Korchagin , Igor I. Pospelov, Li Jiliang, Wang Zongqi, 2008. Provenance of Early Triassic Hongshuichuan Formation in the southern margin of the East Kunlun Mountains: constrains from detrital framework, heavy mineral analysis and geochemistry. Acta Petrologica Sinica 24, 1068-1078 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Yan Zhen, Wang Zongqi, Li Jiliang, Yan Quanren, Wang Tao, Chen Junlu, Xu Xueyi, 2008. Restoring the original tectonic types of sedimentary basins in the orogenic belts. Geological Bulletin of China 27, 2001-2013 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Zhen Yan, Wenjiao Xiao, Zongqi Wang and Jiliang Li. 2007. Integrated analyses constraining the provenance of sandstones, mudstones and conglomerates, a case study: the Laojunshan Conglomerate, Qilian orogeny, NW China. Canada Journal of Earth Science 44, 961-986. Doi: 10.1139/e07-010.

    Yan Zhen, Wang Zongqi, Wang Tao, Yan Quanren, Xiao Wenjiao, Li Jiliang, Han Fanglin, Chen Junlu, 2007. Tectonic setting of Deevonian sediments in the Qinling orogen: constraints from detrital modes and geochemistry of clastic rocks. Acta Petrologica Sinica 23, 1023-1042 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Zhen Yan, Zongqi Wang, Tao Wang, Quanren Yan, Wenjiao Xiao, Jiliang Li. 2006. Provenance and tectonic setting of the clastic deposits in the Devonian Xicheng Basin, Qinling orogen, central China. Journal of Sedimentary research 76, 557-574. doi: 10.2110/jsr.2006.046.