Xiaoyan Qiu

Dr. Xiaoyan Qiu – Associate Professor & Scientific Advisor

Basic Information

• Name: Xiaoyan Qiu

• Gender: Female

• Academic Title: Associate Professor (promoted in January 2024)

• Degree: Ph.D. in Agriculture (obtained in 2024)

• Institution: College of Biological and Food Engineering, Huaihua University

• Role at Valeherb: Scientific Advisor

Academic Career & Education

• B.Sc. (2007–2011): Biological Science, Huaihua University

• M.Sc. (2011–2014): Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Nanjing Agricultural University

• Ph.D. (2019–2024): Medicinal Plant Resource Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University

• 2014–2016: Assistant Lecturer, Huaihua University

• 2017–2023: Lecturer, Huaihua University

• 2024–Present: Associate Professor, Huaihua University

Teaching

Courses taught include:

• Food Raw Materials Science

• Functional Food Science and Functional Evaluation

• Food Immunology

• Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine

• Food Analysis Laboratory

Awards & Recognition:

• Excellent Student Worker (2014–2015)

• Excellent Internship Advisor (2017)

• Guided students to win second and third prizes in the 4th National College Student Life Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (2019)

Research Focus

Dr. Qiu’s research focuses on the high-value utilization of characteristic medicinal plant resources (such as Lithocarpus litseifolius, Polygonatum, and Gastrodia elata) in the Wuling Mountain area, the biosynthesis mechanism of bioactive components, and animal nutrition and feed science.

Selected Research Grants

• Identification and functional study of glycosyltransferase genes involved in trilobatin biosynthesis in Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation, 2025, Principal Investigator)

• Key technologies for high-value development and utilization of Lithocarpus litseifolius (sub-project of Hunan Provincial Key R&D Program, 2025, Principal Investigator)

• Excavation and functional verification of key enzyme genes for sweet substance biosynthesis in Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hunan Provincial Department of Education Outstanding Youth Project, 2024, Principal Investigator)

• Selection of excellent germplasm resources and deep processing technology of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Huaihua City Open Bidding Program, 2022, Principal Investigator)

• Breeding of excellent Polygonatum varieties and development of new products 

• Pharmacodynamic study of anti-tumor and immune-regulating effects of Gastrodia elata polysaccharides from Xuefeng Mountain (Hunan Provincial Department of Education General Project, Principal Investigator)

Selected Publications

• Du Zhong polysaccharide: effects on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune function of Crucian carp (corresponding author, 2025)

• Effects of different fungal woods on yield and quality of Xuefeng Mountain Gastrodia elata (corresponding author/co-author, Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs, 2022)

• Qiu, X.,  Tian, Y., & Li, Z. (2023). The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun 1837 (Fagaceae) and phylogenetic analysis. Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 8(5), 580–584.doi.org/10.1080/23802359.2023.2210422

• Qiu, X. (Author Surname, replace with Qiu’s first name initial). (2023). Assembly and characterization analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun (Version 1). ResearchSquare. dor.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3230084/v1
• Tian, Y.,  Xiang, Z., Li, J., & Qiu, X. (2025). Analysis of genetic diversity and development of Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers for Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun resources based on dd-RAD-Seq. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 72, 8945–8956.doi.org/10.1007/s10722-025-02462-4

Patent

• Fermented total mixed ration for ruminants and preparation method thereof (Patent No.: CN201911100897.4, co-inventor)

Honors

• Hunan Provincial “Three Zones” Science and Technology Talent (2022)

• Young Core Teacher of Huaihua University (2023)

Personal Summary

Dr. Xiaoyan Qiu is an Associate Professor at the College of Biological and Food Engineering, Huaihua University, and a core scientific advisor to Valeherb. A proud alumna of Huaihua University, she returned to her alma mater after completing her graduate and doctoral studies at Nanjing Agricultural University and Hunan Agricultural University, respectively. Her research is deeply rooted in the Wuling Mountain area, focusing on the high-value utilization of regional medicinal plants such as Lithocarpus litseifolius (sweet tea), Polygonatum, and Gastrodia elata. As a recipient of the Hunan Provincial “Three Zones” Science and Technology Talent award, Dr. Qiu bridges academic research with industrial application. At Valeherb, she provides critical scientific oversight, ensuring that every product specification, bioactive claim, and quality standard is validated by rigorous research. Her expertise in the biosynthesis of natural sweeteners like trilobatin directly supports Valeherb’s commitment to delivering pure, science-backed botanical extracts to the global market.