Yi Li

Assistant Professor

yi.li@utdallas.edu
Phone: 972-883-7431
Office: NSERL 4.706
Lab: NSERL 4.740

800 West Campbell Rd.
Mailstop: RL10
Richardson, TX 75080-3021

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences, 2006, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA

M.S. in Computer Science, 2018, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

M.S. in Molecular Biology, 2000, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, China

B.S. in Biochemistry, 1997, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, China

Overview

I have received extensive training in various fields of biological research, including cancer biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, and computational biology. Additionally, I have received formal education at the graduate level in Computer Science and Statistics (concentration: data science).

My independent research lab focuses on the studies of fusion oncoprotein (FO)-driven cancer. Specifically, we will utilize various genome engineering and biotechnologies (e.g., lentiviral vectors) to develop cell and animal models for FO-driven cancers. Subsequently, we will explore multiple therapeutic approaches, including small-molecule-based high-throughput screening, RNA therapeutics (such as siRNAs, CRISPR/Cas13d, and antisense oligonucleotides), and immunotherapy. Additionally, both experimental (e.g., biochemical assays) and computational approaches (genomic assays and machine learning) will be employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying fusion-driven oncogenesis.

Research Interests

Cancer research, machine learning, genome engineering, translational research