Ruqiang was awarded his PhD degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. After postdoctoral training in University of Kentucky and University of Louisville, he worked as a research scientist in Washington University in St. Louis. He joined the Tian lab in 2014. Using his biochemistry and molecular biology skills, as well as skills in computational biology, he helped in developing GPCR-based genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for dopamine, periplasmic binding protein-based iSeroSnFR.