Dr. Yan started his early career in the financial sector. He was a registered Investment Advisor. Dr. Yan was the founder and managing director of an asset management company and a brokerage house. He was also a director of a listed company in Hong Kong. He was also involved in direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, and startup businesses.

He returned to the University of Hong Kong for his PhD in 2015. His PhD research was about pearl oyster culture in Hong Kong at the School of Biological Sciences. He specializes in pearl oyster culture, biofouling control in aquaculture and aquaculture economics. As he has been working with fishermen at different mariculture zones for a very long time and was appointed to various advisory bodies related to agriculture and fisheries of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, he knows much about the mariculture industry in Hong Kong. He developed a good working relationship with local fishermen.