Researchers are dealing with various invertebrate fossil groups from Precambrian to Cenozoic, including arthropods (mainly trilobites,insects and“ conchostracans”), graptolites, brachiopods, molluscs (particularly cephalopods, bivalves and gastropods), corals, small shelly fossils, echinoderms and some problematic types. Major research interest lies in the origin of major fossil invertebrate groups, together with their micro- and macroevolution, palaeoecology, and associated stratigraphic and paleogeographic implications. Current research areas include:
Origin and early evolution of life on Earth;
Process, pattern and dynamics of major biotic events during the Early Paleozoic;
Macroevolution of major marine invertebrate groups during the Middle to Late Paleozoic;
Biotic and tectonic coevolution of the Gondwana and Tethys supercontinents;
Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points (GSSP) of key stratigraphic intervals, and post-stratotype investigations;
Evolution of lake systems and their hinterland during the Jurassic and Cretaceous;
The Jehol Biota and Mesozoic biotic events.