POSITIONS

University of Toronto

Assistant Professor, 02/2022-present

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences 

Institute of Biomedical Engineering (cross-appointed)

Department of Chemistry (cross-appointed)

Faculty Member, PRiME - Precision Medicine initiative

Faculty Member, Emerging & Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC)

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - UHN

Affiliate Scientist, 01/2023-present 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Postdoc, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Bob Langer & Daniel Anderson labs, 2019-2022

Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Washington-Seattle, Shaoyi Jiang lab, 2019

SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS

Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Scholar Award, 2024

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Emerging Leader Award, 2024

Biomaterials Science Emerging Investigator Award, 2024

GSK Chair in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, 2024

Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences (CSPS) Early Career Award, 2024

ACS Rising Star in Biological, Medicinal, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2024

Marsha Morton Early Career Investigator Award, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, 2024

Canada Research Chair in RNA Vaccines & Therapeutics (Tier 2), CIHR, 2022

Gairdner Early Career Investigator Award (selected by Drew Weissman, Katalin Karikó, Pieter Cullis), 2022

Emerging Investigator Award, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2022

J. P. Bickell Foundation Medical Research Award, 2022

Emerging Voice in Drug Delivery, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2022

Connaught New Researcher Award, 2022

New Initiative and Innovation Award, University of Toronto, 2022

Forbes 30 Under 30, Finalist (global top-100 shortlist), 2021  

BMES Career Development Award, 2021                                                     

Baxter Young Investigator Award, 2019                                                 

College of Engineering Student Award for Outstanding Research, 2019

Bioengineering Departmental Award for Excellence in Research and Translation, 2019

Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Students Abroad, 2018  

RSC Soft Matter Award, 2017                                                                                

Graduate School Fund for Excellence and Innovation, 2017

Inaugural University President's Award, 2013  

National Merit Scholarship, 2010-13 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Grant review

Banting Research Foundation Discovery Award Review Panel 

CIHR Project Grant, Biomedical Engineering Committee - Standing Member                 

CIHR Team Grant: Lung Health Review Committee (ac hoc)                            

NIH Nucleic Acid Therapeutic Delivery Study Section

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Collaborative Grant Review Committee                                  

Singapore A*STAR Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi)                           

Austrian Science Fund                                                                                                                

AFM-Téléthon Funding                                                                                         

DNA to RNA (D2R) Funding                                                                                  

Blood Cancer UK                                                                                   

Dutch Research Council - Open Competition Domain Science                            

Data Science Institute Catalyst Grant                                                                                 

JP Bickell Foundation Medical Research Grant                                                             

LifeArc Philanthropic Fund 

CQDM SynergiQc program

Journal Review

Nature, Science, Cell, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Materials, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Chemistry, Nature Chemical Biology, Nature Methods, Nature Communications, Science Translational Medicine, Science Advances, PNAS, JACS, Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Materials, Advance Science, Matter, Advanced Functional Materials, Accounts of Chemical Research, ACS Nano, Biomaterials, Small, Bioactive Materials, Molecular Therapy, Biomacromolecules, Journal of Controlled Release, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Langmuir, ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Acta Biomaterialia, Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, Drug Delivery and Translational Research, Journal of Gene Medicine, Scientific Report, Journal of Pharmaceutical Science, Process Biochemistry, Plos One, BioMed Research International, Materials Science & Engineering C, International Journal of Polymer Science, etc.                                                                                                           

Yue Xu received his Ph.D. degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering at China Pharmaceutical University. His research interests focus on Medicinal Chemistry and Biomedical Imaging. He has published first-author papers in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Journal of Advanced Research, Small, and ACS Sensors. In the Li lab, Yue is working on the de novo design of LNPs for RNA delivery.  

Amy earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of British Columbia. Working in the lab of Dr. Christian Kastrup, Amy studied the biochemical mechanisms of blood coagulation, particularly in the context of hereditary disorders. She developed novel nanomedicine-based approaches for correcting coagulation disorders, using RNA and lipid nanoparticle technologies. As a Schmidt Science Fellow in the Li lab, Amy will further explore the potential of advanced nanomedicine platforms to enable gene editing in a wide range of model systems.

Rick earned his doctoral degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Toronto, supervised by Dr. Milica Radisic. During his doctoral studies, he specialized in replicating heart attacks using heart-on-a-chip models, investigating factors like air pollution and SARS-CoV-2. Moving forward in his postdoctoral research, Rick will focus on building data-driven computational models and gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms that enhance the effectiveness of mRNA therapeutics. In his free time, Rick enjoys photography, exploring new beer and coffee, and expanding his collection of cutting-edge tech gadgets. 

Songtao obtained his PhD in pharmaceutics from the Shenyang Pharmaceutical University (China). His Ph.D. research is focused on advancing nanotechnology to improve the efficiency and safety of cancer therapy. Self-assembled nano-prodrugs, liposomes, and hydrogels are the main technical platforms he studied during his doctoral period. As a postdoctoral fellow in the Li Lab, Songtao will explore the synthesis of new ionizable lipids and investigate novel LNPs for gene therapy.

I earned my Ph.D. candidate in Pharmaceutics from China Pharmaceutical University. I am interested in the application of Gene Therapy in different disease models. My previous research focused on the efficacy of 'living cell' drugs and nano-formulations in autoimmune diseases. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, taking photos, and swimming.

Yanchao Zhang has been granted a doctor’s degree by Maastricht University in the Netherlands. He is motivated by the profound impact microbiology has on various industries, from biotechnology to healthcare. He has published a few first-author papers in peer-reviewed journals related to genetic engineering for applied microbiology. Yanchao expands his research interests as a postdoctoral researcher in the Li Lab. His research focuses on advanced gene editing tools and RNA therapeutics combined with Li Lab's LNP platform for next-generation disease treatments.

I am interested in designing novel LNPs for delivering gene editing tools and gene therapy. I earned my master’s degree in Pharmaceutics from China Pharmaceutical University.  My research experience is designing novel liposomes for small molecular delivery. Before joining the Li lab, I published two first-author papers in the Journal of Controlled Release and Nano Letters. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and workout.

I am dedicated to developing technologies that enable us to overcome the obstacles that impede human health and well-being. My expertise primarily encompasses nucleic acids and lipid nanoparticles, and I am investigating their potential for pharmaceutical applications. In my approach to research, I maintain an open mind and conduct science with integrity, pursuing knowledge that can fulfill an unmet need. For leisure, I enjoy hiking, reading, writing, and – of course – learning new things.

I recently completed my second MSc at the University of Saskatchewan in collaboration with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), where I worked on developing a universal vaccine for sarbecoviruses. For my PhD, I aim to build on this experience by developing a mucosal HIV-1 vaccine to enhance immune responses at mucosal sites and reduce transmission, as well as a senolytic vaccine to target and eliminate aging cells that accumulate over time. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, experimenting in the kitchen, and exploring museums and art galleries.

I recently earned my Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics from the University of Toronto. I am passionate about learning and applying new knowledge, particularly when it has a meaningful impact. It’s important to me that my work makes a difference to the world, especially when it can benefit clinical applications. I am interested in combining computational techniques, such as machine learning, with wet-lab experiments to optimize the processes. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring 3D printing and taking walks around the city.

I have a curiosity for the natural world, encompassing both biological and social systems. In hopes of gaining perspective in various fields of study, I have accumulated research experience in constitutional law and journalism, marine biology, religious environmentalism, HIV-1, and pharmacokinetics. As I begin my graduate studies, I am now interested in exploring the full therapeutic potential of mRNA switches. In life, I am a professional daydreamer, an H2O addict, and a collector of musical instruments, playing cards, and kitchenware. Please reach out to me if you, too, are abstract-minded and yearning to better understand the mysteries of the visible universe.

I recently earned my Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Biomedical Engineering from Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). During my undergraduate studies, I mainly focused on in vitro diagnostics and its clinical applications in COVID-19. I am truly honored to be pursuing my PhD here. I believe in the potential of lipid nanoparticles and mRNA technology. And I want to advance scientific research in ways that have practical clinical applications in the future. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the violin and watching various TV dramas.

I recently completed my MSc at UBC working with Dr. Colin Ross, where my research focused on applying CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools to correct disease-causing mutations, along with using lipid nanoparticles to deliver them in vivo. During my PhD, I am aiming to build off this previous experience to develop methods to improve the non-viral delivery of gene editors, particularly focusing on prime editing. Ultimately, I hope that my work can bring gene editing therapeutics closer to the clinic to target the many genetic disorders currently lacking effective treatment options. Away from the bench, I love to get outside for a long run or hike.

I recently earned my BASc in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo, where I developed an interest in pursuing further research in nanomedicine. My undergraduate research experiences focused on developing plasmonic nanoparticles for biomedical applications and optimizing new methods of measuring the surface energy of micro- and nanoparticles. I also gained industry experience at Precision Nanosystems working on customized GMP systems for manufacturing RNA therapeutics and optimizing lipid nanoparticle formulations for mRNA vaccines. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, drawing, spending time at my cottage, and learning how to bake new desserts.

Alex is passionate about the targeted delivery of drugs using nanomedicine. He understands that when one’s health falters, it can be extremely debilitating and all-consuming. Thus, he hopes to pave the way for more effective disease treatments with his research. Alex recently graduated with a BASc in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo, primarily working on synthesizing and testing new polymer formulations for thermoplastic applications during his co-ops. He was also a nuclear engineering consultant at NPX. In his free time, Alex loves going to the gym, hiking, watching sports, and listening to psychology podcasts. 

I'm very passionate about research and enjoy learning new things, especially in the field of novel therapeutic solutions. I earned my HBSc at the University of Toronto with a specialization in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and a minor in Immunology. My research experience includes studying the role of the immune system in mediating idiosyncratic drug reactions in the Uetrecht Lab and working on the development of electrochemical biosensors in the Kelley Lab. In my free time, I'm a tech enthusiast and hobby artist who loves to play video games, watch documentaries, and read a good book.

I am interested in working on cancer immunotherapy using mRNA technologies. I earned my HBSc specializing in pharmacology at the University of Toronto. I have pursued research in cancer pharmacology focusing on regulating BRCA1 levels in triple-negative breast cancer using small molecule drugs, as well as a CO-OP with Sanofi Pasteur, which involved developing a new assay for the testing of a new vaccine product. Outside of the lab, I greatly enjoy reading, listening to classical music, feeding squirrels and going for long walks around the city.

I earned my HBSc in Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa, where my undergraduate research was focused on developing a diverse toolbox of molecular innovations to monitor and modulate the effectors of disease. From this, I developed an interest to continue chemical research to revolutionize technologies in disease treatment and personalized therapy. At the Li lab, I am excited to explore the potential of RNA medicine to pave the way for impactful advancements in healthcare. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring Toronto, watching movies, and reading!

I recently completed HBSc in Biomedical Sciences at Toronto Metropolitan University where I worked on synthesizing small molecule peptidomimetics to inhibit protozoa. I love designing, synthesizing and understanding how small molecules and chemistry can be applied to biological systems. During my graduate studies, I hope to synthesize novel ionizable lipids that can be used to formulate lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of different types of RNA therapeutics. Outside of the lab you can probably find me in a coffee shop reading a book or working on assignments with friends. 

I am an undergraduate student at University of Toronto, majoring in and Human Biology. I'm passionate about studying drug delivery systems, particularly in cancer treatments, and I hope to contribute to advancements in this important area of medical research.