Xinzhen Fan joined the Faul Research Group in July 2025. He completed his PhD at the University of Montreal, specializing in thermoresponsive polymers based on hydrogen bonding, with luminescence and shape memory properties.

Before his doctoral studies, he gained nearly three years of industrial experience in China. Prior to this, he obtained a MSc degree in Polymer Science from the Free University of Berlin.

In his free time, he enjoys skiing, football, and playing the piano.