Dr. Li is an Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenetrology, Department of Internal Medicine, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He received
his Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry from Guangxi Normal University, and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Central South University, China.
He received his postdoctoral training in Dr. Roderick Dashwood's laboratory at the Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, where he worked on molecular mechanisms and chemoprevention of colorectal cancer. He joined UTMB as a faculty member in 2006.
Dr. Li’s research interests lie in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a complex GI disease associated with lifelong medical attention, poor quality of life and huge economic burden, as well as in IBD-associated disorders, including colitis-associated cancer and IBD-induced cardiovascular diseases. Decades of research suggests that the pathogenesis of IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, involves abnormal gut microbiota, immune response dysregulation, environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. Specifically, Dr. Li’s research interests include:
• Epigenetic and bacterial contributions to the development of IBD and colitis-associated cancer (CAC);
• Molecular mechanisms underlying IBD-associated cardiovascular disorders;
• Identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets in IBD and CAC;
• Development of small molecule drugs targeting TRAF6 and MMP7 in inflammatory diseases;
• Phytochemicals as chemopreventive agents against IBD and extraintestinal manifestations of IBD.
