Prof. Yan was born in Beijing in October 1959. He received his B.S. from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics of NJTU in January 1982. He worked as secretary of the Youth League of NJTU, director of the Student Affairs Office, secretary of the general communist party branch of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electrical Power Studies, chief of the General Affairs Office, etc.  Prof. Yan served as liaison man in the office of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee seconded education department from June 1985 to December 1986, deputy director of the first Engineering Department of the Ministry of Railways Electrification Engineering Bureau from October 1995 to December 1996, vice President of NJTU since December 1997, vice chairman of the University Council of NJTU since January 2000, deputy secretary of the party committee of BJTU and secretary of Discipline Inspection Commission since March 2008.