Research Interests

My research interest is generally in the area of theoretical and statistical quantitative genetics. This includes research on developing theoretical models and statistical methods to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) and to estimate basic genetic parameters of quantitative trait variation, such as number, genomic positions, effects, interaction, and pleiotropy of genes responsible for the variation. Currently, this research is mostly concentrated on developing statistical methods for analyzing genetic architecture of quantitative traits as a whole using multiple interval mapping approach. Research topics include efficient and robust model selection, analysis for complex epistasis, multiple trait analysis, complex QTL by environment interaction analysis, mixed and mixture models, general plant breeding population QTL analysis, full-sib family analysis, linkage disequilibrium mapping. We also develop software (QTL Cartographer) for QTL mapping data analysis. The long-term goal of the research is to develop quantitative genetic theories and statistical methods for characterizing and analyzing variation of quantitative traits and to learn genetic and evolutionary bases of the variation within and between natural and experimental populations.

Publications in Google Scholars

Software:

1. Basten, C., B.S. Weir and Z.-B. Zeng (1995-2006) QTL Cartographer. Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
2. Wang, S., C. Basten and Z.-B. Zeng (2001-2012) WINDOWS QTL Cartographer. Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
3. Zou, W., D.L. Aylor and Z.-B. Zeng (2006) eQTL Viewer. Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC