Chen teaches Buddhism and Chinese Religions at ASU. He has numerous publications on Buddhism, Chinese Religions, and Silk Road Studies.

Williams studies and translates classical Chinese poetry, and also works in related areas such as medieval Buddhism, Sino-Japanese literature, and translation studies.

ZHANG Jie specializes in Art History and Religious Studies of the late imperial period in China. Her research focuses on Sino-European interactions and Buddhist-Catholic exchanges in paintings and printed illustrations.