主要从事与造山带形成与演化有关的变质岩石学、变质地质学的研究和教学工作。曾主讲的课程包括本科生的《普通岩石学》《地球科学前沿》，研究生的《高等岩石学》《变质地质学》等。张立飞及其团队近年来在高压-超高压变质岩石学研究方面取得了一系列原创新性研究成果：发现世界上规模最大的西天山洋壳深俯冲超高压变质带；提出现今板块冷俯冲作用起始于古元古代新认识；提出板块俯冲带变质作用“工厂”由碳酸盐转化形成巨量无机甲烷气成因机制，为开展无机油气勘查提供了理论支持。

作为项目主持人，张立飞教授共负责承担各类科研项目20多项，主要包括科技部国家重点研发计划项目1项，国家基金委杰出青年基金项目1项，国家基金委创新研究群体项目1项，国家基金委重点基金项目和人才培养项目7项，国家基金委面上（包括青年）和国际合作交流项目9项，国际地科联地球科学对比计划研究项目（IGCP-709）1项和教育部高校青年教师奖励基金项目1项等。曾入选国家基金委成立35周年发布的全委资助前100人选名单和地学部获资助前50人选名单。

张立飞及其团队近年来在高压-超高压变质岩石学研究方面取得了一系列原创新性研究成果：发现世界上规模最大的西天山洋壳深俯冲超高压变质带；提出现今板块冷俯冲作用起始于古元古代新认识；提出板块俯冲带变质作用“工厂”由碳酸盐转化形成巨量无机甲烷气成因机制，为开展无机油气勘查提供了理论支持。至今在Sci Adv、NC、NSR、EPSL、GCA、JP、JMG等主流学术杂志上发表SCI论文224篇，其中第一/通讯作者论文122篇，主编伦敦地质学会专刊1部，合编Lithos、GR、AGS、JAES专辑各一期。自2014年以来连续入选Elsevier《地球与行星科学领域》高被引中国学者，2021年以来连续入选全球《地球与环境科学领域》前2%顶尖科学家终身成就榜单。

代表性论文：

1. Li Xiaoli *, Zhang Lifei *, Wei Chunjing, Zhang Guibing, 2025, Orosirian cold eclogite from Baltica marks the onset of modern plate tectonics, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 663, 119417

2. Zhang Guibin, Wu Chenguang, Wang Yang, Zhang Lifei* and A. Alexander G. Webb， 2024， Rapid heating (<2 Myr) to ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism via asthenospheric upwelling， Science Advances, 10, eadl4381 (2024) 12 June 2024.

3. Zhang Lijuan, Ning Qi, Li Yuan, Wang Xiao, Zhang Lifei*，2024，Immiscible metamorphic water and methane fluids preserved in carbonated eclogite, Communications Chemistry, doi.org/10.1038/s42004-024-01355-4

4. Shen Tingting, Hu Han, Zhang Lifei*, Xu Jie, Tian Zuolin, Bader Thomas, Ma Jinlong, Zhang Jianxin, Peng Weigang, Yang Jingsui, 2024, Petrology of Tourmaline-Bearing Blueschist from SW Tianshan, China, and Its Implication in B-Rich Fluid Migration in Subduction Zone, Journal of Petrology, DOI: 10.1093/petrology/egae116.

5. Han Hu, Lifei Zhang*, Chunyuan Lan & Zhicheng Liu, 2023, Petrological evidence for deep subduction of organic carbon to subarc depths, Communications Earth & Environment 4: 418 https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01085-w

6. Lan Chunyuan, Tao Renbiao*, Huang Fang, Jiang Runze, Zhang Lifei*, 2023, High-pressure experimental and thermodynamic constraints on the solubility of carbonates in subduction zone fluids, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 603, Doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2023.117989.

7. Zhang Lijuan, Zhang Lifei *, Tang Ming, Wang Xiao, Tao Renbiao, Xu Cheng, and Bader Thomas, 2023,Massive abiotic methane production in eclogite during cold subduction, National Science Review 10，nwac207, DOI:10.1093/nsr/nwac207

8. Li Xiaoli*, Zhang Lifei*, Wei Chunjing , Bader Thomas , Guo Jinghui,2023,Cold subduction recorded by the 1.9 Ga Salma eclogite in Belomorian Province (Russia), Earth and Planetary Science Letters 602, DOI：10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117930

9. Li Huijuan, Hermann Joerg, Zhang Lifei*,2022, Melting of subducted slab dictates trace element recycling in global arcs, Science Advances 8（2）, abh2166, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh2166

10. Wang Yang, Zhang Lifei*, Li Zhonghai*, 2022, Metamorphic densification can account for the missing felsic crust of the Greater Indian continent; Communications Earth & Environment 3, Doi: 10.1038/s43247-022-00493-8.

11. Wang Chao, Tao Renbiao, Walters Jesse B., Höfer Heidi E., Zhang Lifei*, 2022, Favorable P−T−ƒO2 conditions for abiotic CH4 production in subducted oceanic crusts: A comparison between CH4-bearing ultrahigh- and CO2-bearing high-pressure eclogite, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 336: 269–290.

12. Wang Y., Zhang L.F.*, Li Z. H.*, 2022, Metamorphic densification can account for the missing felsic crust of the Greater Indian continent, Communications Earth & Environment 3, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00493-8.

13. Zhang Lifei* and Zhang Guibin, 2021, Ultrahigh Pressure Metamorphism. In: Alderton, David; Elias, Scott A. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Geology, 2nd edition. United Kingdom: Academic Press. vol. 2, pp. 553-560.

14. Zhang Lifei* and Wang Yang, 2020, The exhumation of high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes in subduction zone: Questions and discussions; SCIENCE CHINA-EARTH SCIENCES; 63, 1884-1903.

15. Wang Yang, Zhang Lifei*, Li Zhonghai, Li Qingyun, Bader Thomas, 2019, The Exhumation of Subducted Oceanic-Derived Eclogites: Insights From Phase Equilibrium and Thermomechanical Modeling, Tectonics 38, 1764-1797.

16. Zhang, Lifei*; Zhang, Zeming; Schertl, Hans-peter; Wei, Chunjing, 2019, HP-UHP Metamorphism and Tectonic Evolution of Orogenic Belts, Geological Society, London, Special Publication Volume 474；The Geological Society Publishing House,London, pp468.

17. Tao Renbiao, Zhang Lifei*, Tian Meng, Zhu Jianjiang, Liu Xi, Liu Jinzhong, Heidi E.H.， Fei Yingwei, 2018, Formation of abiotic hydrocarbon from reduction of carbonate in subduction zones: Constraints from petrological observation and experimental simulation, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 239,390-408.

18. Xu Cheng*; Kynický Jindřich; Song Wenlei; Tao Renbiao; Lü Zeng; Li Yunxiu; Yang Yueheng; Miroslav P., Galiova M. V.; Zhang Lifei*; Fei Yingwei*, 2018, Cold deep subduction recorded by remnants of a Paleoproterozoic carbonated slab, Nature Communications 9， DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05140-5

19. Xu C*, Kynický Jindřich, Tao Renbiao, Liu Xi, Zhang LiFei*, Pohanka M, Song, W. Fei Y*. 2017, Recovery of an oxidized majorite inclusion from Earth’s deep asthenosphere; SCIENCE ADVANCES 3, e1601589.

20. Shen Tingting, Hermann Jőrg , Zhang Lifei* , Lü Zeng, Alberto José, Padrón-Navarta, Xia Bin, Bader Thomas, 2015, UHP metamorphism documented in Ti-chondrodite- and Ti-clinohumite-bearing serpentinized ultramafic rocks from Chinese southwestern Tianshan, Journal of Petrology, Vol. 56, No. 7, 1425–1458.

21. Du Jinxue, Zhang Lifei*, Shen Xiaojie and Bader Thomas, 2014, A new P-T-t path of HP-UHP eclogites from Chinese southwestern Tianshan: constraints from P-T pseudosections, Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isochron dating, Lithos, 200–201: 258–272.

22. Tao Renbiao, Zhang Lifei*, Fei Yingwei and Liu Qiong, 2014, The effect of Fe on the stability of dolomite at high pressure: experimental study and petrological observation in eclogite from southwestern Tianshan, China, GCA, 253–267.

23. Du Jinxue, Zhang Lifei*, Bader Thomas, Chen Z.Y. and Lü Z., 2014, Metamorphic evolution of relict lawsonite-bearing eclogites from the (U)HP metamorphic belt in the Chinese south-western Tianshan, JMG, 575–598, DOI: 10.1111/jmg.12080.

24. Zhang L F*, Du J X, Lü Z, Yang X., Gou L. L., Xia B., Chen Z.Y.,Wei C.J. & Song S.G., 2013, A huge oceanic-type UHP metamorphic belt in southwestern Tianshan, China: Peak metamorphic age and P-T path. Chinese Science Bulletin, 58, 4378-4383.

25. Zhang, G.B., Zhang, L.F*.，Christy, A.G 2013, From oceanic subduction to continental collision: An overview of HP–UHP metamorphic rocks in the North Qaidam UHP belt, NW China, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 63 98-111.

26. Lü  Z., Bucher K., Zhang LF* and Du J, 2012, The Habutengsu ultra-high pressure terrain of western Tianshan, China: metamorphic evolution of metapelites and metagreywackes, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 30, 907–926.

27. Zhang Guibin, Song Shuguang, Zhang Lifei*, Niu Yaoling, 2008, The subducted oceanic crust within continental-type UHP metamorphic belt in the North Qaidam, NW China: evidence from petrology, geochemistry and geochronology, Lithos, 104, 99-118.

28. Zhang Lifei*; Ai Yongliang; Li Xuping; Rubatto D.; Song, Biao; Williams S.; Song Shuguang; Ellis, D.; Liou, J. G., 2007,Triassic collision of Western Tianshan orogenic belt, China: evidences from SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircon from HP/UHP eclogitic rocks, Lithos 96（1-2），266-280.

29. Zhang Lifei*, David J. Ellis, Richard J. Arculus, Wenbo Jiang and Chunjing Wei, 2003, Ultradeep subduction of carbonates to the mantle: evidence from the carbonate reaction of magnesite + calcite (aragonite) = dolomite in metapelites from western Tianshan, China, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 21, 523-529.

30. Zhang Lifei*, David J. Ellis and Wenbo Jiang，2002，Ultrahigh pressure metamorphism in western Tianshan, China, part I: evidences from the inclusion of coesite pseudomorphs in garnet and quartz exsolution lamellae in omphacite in eclogites, American Mineralogist, 87: 853-860.

2003年获国家杰出青年科学基金，2005年教育部长江学者特聘教授，2008年国家自然科学基金委“变质作用与造山带演化”创新研究群体学术带头人，2010年当选为美国矿物学会会士（MSA, Fellow），2011年当选为美国地质学会会士（GSA, Fellow）。

曾获教育部科技进步一等奖（第三完成人）（1999），享受国务院政府特殊津贴（2001），北京大学最受学生爱戴教师奖（2001），教育部高校青年教师奖（2002），北京市教育成果（高等教育）二等奖（第一完成人）（2004），第三届黄汲清青年地质科技奖（2006）、北京市高等学校精品课（2009），李四光地质科学奖（2021），两次教育部自然科学一等奖（均为第一完成人）（2010、2025）等。

主要的学术兼职有《Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta》《Geoscience Frontiers》《Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition》（2018-2026）《地学前缘》《岩石矿物学杂志》副主编和其他十余个国内外学术杂志如《科学通报》(2003-2014)、《自然科学进展》（2004-2009）、《地质学报》、《Minerals》、《岩石学报》、《高校地质学报》、《世界地质》、《地质与勘探》等编委。中国地质学会常务理事，中国矿物岩石地球化学学会常务理事、变质岩专业委员会主任。国务院学位委员会第八届学科评议组成员，教育部地质学教学指导委员会副主任委员（2013-2026），第十、十一届国家自然科学基金委员会地学部专家组成员（2004-2008），李四光地质科学奖委员会委员，李四光基金理事会理事，中国地质学会大陆地壳与地幔研究分会副主任（2010-2015），中国地质学会地质学史委员会副主任，国际教科文组织高原研究科学委员会副主席（SCIPPA），中国国际地学对比计划（IGCP）全国委员会委员，中国国际大陆钻探全国委员会委员（ICDP），国际地科联固体地球组成和演化专业委员会委员（SECE）（2004-2010）等。