Until 2022, Zhang Zongwen served as Senior Scientist and Country Representative for China at Bioversity International, now part of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. In this role, he coordinated and promoted collaborative activities across China, Southeast Asia, and the broader Asian region.

Zongwen contributed to numerous projects, including the Regional Network for Plant Genetic Resources in East Asia (EAPGR), Traditional Crop Diversity for Adaptability to Climate Change, Evaluation and Use of Genetic Diversity of Underutilized Crops in China, and the Agrobiodiversity Index for a Sustainable Citrus Production System.

He holds a PhD in crop genetics and breeding, has published extensively, and has supervised students up to the PhD level. Before joining Bioversity International, Zongwen held positions at the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and Bioversity International. He also served as an assistant professor with a focus on maize at the Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, part of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.