Dr. Kevin R. Messenger is a conservation biologist, herpetologist, and professor of zoology at Nanjing Forestry University in Nanjing, China. Originally from North Carolina, he has spent much of his professional career conducting field research across China and Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on the ecology, behavior, natural history, and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.
Dr. Messenger holds two Ph.D. degrees—one in Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences from Alabama A&M University and a second in Zoology from Nanjing Forestry University—as well as an M.S. in Biology from Marshall University and a B.S. in Zoology from North Carolina State University. His doctoral research focused on the conservation of Chinese reptiles and amphibians, including the use of species distribution modeling to locate undocumented or poorly known species.
He has extensive field experience throughout southern and central China, including long-term survey work in Mangshan National Park, Nanling National Forest Park, and Shennongjia National Park. Dr. Messenger is a co-coordinator for the IUCN Viper Specialist Group (East Asia Region) and has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on pit vipers, venomous snakes, and conservation priorities in Asia.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Messenger is a prolific wildlife photographer, with over one hundred published images, and an author of major herpetological reference works. His publications aim to bridge scientific research, conservation practice, and accessible field-based knowledge. Outside of research and writing, he also participates in nature education programs and ecotourism initiatives in China.
Key Collaborator and Translator
Jing Zang
Jing Zang is an accomplished English–Chinese translator whose work has played a critical role in making complex scientific and natural history research accessible to a broader audience in China. He served as the primary translator for Dr. Kevin R. Messenger’s Asian Ratsnakes and Kin of Greater China and The Venomous Snakes of China, contributing substantially to the clarity, accuracy, and reach of both volumes.
In addition to his work on herpetological publications, Zang’s translation of Dr. Peter S. Alagona’s The Accidental Ecosystem: People and Wildlife in American Cities was awarded First Prize for Outstanding Popular Science Works in Jiangsu Province (2025).
Beyond his professional translation work, Zang is a dedicated reptile enthusiast and experienced field participant. He has taken part in numerous field expeditions led by Dr. Kevin R. Messenger, assisting in surveys for rare and poorly known snake species across diverse habitats throughout China. His combined expertise in language, fieldwork, and scientific collaboration has been integral to the success of multiple research and publishing projects.