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

Terry Fox New Investigator Award, 2026

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Innovator of the Year, 2025

Ontario Early Researcher Award, 2025

Journal of Nanobiotechnology Rising Star Award, 2025

AFPC New Investigator Research Award, Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada, 2025

Stem Cell Network Early Career Jump Start Award, 2025

National Sanitarium Association Scholar Award, 2025

Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Scholar Award, 2024

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

NIH R01 grant, 2024

Biomaterials Science Emerging Investigator Award, 2024

GSK Chair in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, 2024

CSPS Early Career Award, Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 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

Associate Editor of Molecular Therapy

Associate Editor of Journal of Nanobiotechnology

Panelist for CIHR (Biomedical Engineering), NIH Special Emphasized Panels, Banting Research Foundation

Proposal Reviewer for CIHR, NIH, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Banting Research Foundation, Blood Cancer UK, LifeArc Philanthropic Fund, Dutch Research Council, Singapore A*STAR, Austrian Science Fund, AFM-Téléthon Funding, CQDM SynergiQc program, DNA to RNA (D2R) Funding, Data Science Institute, JP Bickell Foundation Medical Research Grant                                               

Peer Reviewer of over 50 International Journals, including Cell, Science, Nature, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Materials, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Chemical Engineering, Nature Protocols, Nature Communications, Science Advances, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Advanced Materials, Matter, Journal of American Chemistry Society, Angewandte Chemie, ACS Nano, Biomaterials, Bioactive Materials, Cell Report, Cell Report Medicine, Cell Biomaterials, Advanced Functional Materials, Advanced Science, Trends in Molecular Medicine, Molecular Therapy, Biomacromolecules, Journal of Controlled Release, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Advanced Healthcare Materials, Langmuir, ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Acta Biomaterialia, Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, Journal of Bioactive Materials, Journal of Nanobiotechnology etc.                                                                                                            

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 Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University (China). He joined the Li Lab in 2023 as a postdoctoral research fellow, where he focuses on the discovery of novel ionizable lipids, gene therapy, and AI-driven materials chemistry.

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 continuously directed evolution of advanced gene editing tools and novel RNA therapeutics combined with Li Lab's LNP platform for next-generation disease treatments. 

Sijin earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University. His past work was focused on engineering lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery for enhanced targeting efficiency and reduced immunogenicity. His research helped advance the therapeutic potential of RNA-based treatments including cancer vaccines and protein replacement therapy. Moving forward in his postdoctoral studies, Sijin aims to explore next-generation gene delivery carriers for cell-specific targeting and integrate them with cutting-edge gene editing tools to develop precise, effective solutions for a variety of genetic diseases.

Xianglei earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from Shandong University in China. She completed part of her doctoral training with the Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines in Belgium and then continued there as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Her previous work focused on developing advanced drug delivery systems, including liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and exosomes, for pulmonary disease treatment and immunotherapy. In the Li lab, Xianglei aims to integrate gene editing tools with novel lipid nanoparticle platforms to develop precise and efficient mRNA therapeutics.

Shiqi graduated with a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from Université Paris Cité, where he amassed a wealth of expertise in organic synthesis. His postdoctoral endeavors are focused on the rational design of ionizable lipids to develop efficient RNA delivery systems. His research aims to develop precise and efficient lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for RNA delivery, thereby accelerating the clinical translation of gene therapies.

Jingan (Charles) Chen joined the lab as a PhD student in 2022 at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on developing novel lipid-based delivery systems to achieve precise, tissue-specific targeting of RNA therapeutics. He also investigates novel RNA structures and chemical modifications to advance RNA-based therapies, including applications in vaccine development and gene editing. 

I earned my master's degree in Pharmaceutics from China Pharmaceutical University, where my research focused on developing liposomal formulations for small molecule delivery. For my Ph.D. studies, I am exploring the therapeutic potential of nanoparticles for the delivery of gene-editing therapeutics. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and cooking.

I am dedicated to developing technologies that enable us to overcome the obstacles that impede human health and well-being. To this end, my research encompasses developing novel mRNA- and circRNA-LNP vaccines. Their applications include vaccines against malaria, HIV-1, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-Cov, and tuberculosis that can generate potent and durable tissue-resident immune responses. 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 am a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering studying next-generation RNA vaccines, with a focus on circular RNA (circRNA) platforms and mucosal adjuvants to generate robust immunity at key sites of infectious disease transmission, including the lungs and intestines. My background includes synthetic biology and microfluidics at Concordia University and immunoinformatics and vaccine research at the University of Saskatchewan/VIDO. I hope to use these skills to develop next generation mucosal vaccines for infectious diseases like HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Outside the lab, I enjoy rowing, squash, cooking, and watching Seinfeld on repeat.

Reagan interested in develop AI-driven platform to accelerate the process of drug discovery.

David earned his Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto. Throughout his academic journey he has accumulated research experience in constitutional law and journalism, marine biology, religious environmentalism, HIV-1, and pharmacokinetics. Through his graduate studies, he is interested in exploring novel tools to expedite the devlopment of LNP-mRNA systems for treating CNS disorders. In his free time he likes to cook, collect and play various instruments, and play hockey.

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.

Breanna previously completed a HBSc in Biomedical Sciences at Toronto Metropolitan University before joining the department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto co-supervised by Haissi Cui and Bowen Li. During her undergrad, she worked on synthesizing covalent small molecule and peptides for the development of therapeutic protein inhibitors. She loves designing, synthesizing and understanding how small molecules and chemistry can be applied in biological systems. In her PhD studies, she’s working towards engineering and designing new lipids for nucleic acid therapeutics. Outside of the lab she enjoys spending time in coffee shops, hanging out with her friends and doing any arts and crafts related.  

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University. During my undergraduate studies, I worked extensively in lipid nanoparticle manufacturing and characterization for mRNA vaccines. While working at Weill Cornell Medicine, I took part in translational research, where I was introduced to immunoassays and downstream translational work. During my PhD, I wish to build off my experiences and explore innovative ideas in drug delivery systems. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing piano and going for runs.

I recently completed my MSc at Cornell University, where my research focused on engineering virus-like vesicles for the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics that modulate the cancer metabolism. Building on this foundation, I aim to accelerate nanotherapeutic drug discovery during my PhD by applying technology-driven approaches to improve human health. In my spare time, I like to lift heavy circles and explore macro-friendly recipes.

I am interested in developing next-generation lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for organ-selective mRNA delivery and understanding mechanisms of LNP-induced immunogenicity. I also work on creating high-throughput platforms to evaluate LNP performance. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Zhejiang University and completed my thesis research at the Whitehead Institute, where I focused on optimizing CRISPR/Cas9 knockout platforms and studying LINE-1–mediated RNA retrotransposition. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to R&B, traveling, and musical theatre.

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 from the University of Ottawa, where my undergraduate research focused on developing molecular tools to monitor and modulate the effectors of disease. This work sparked my interest in applying chemical innovation to challenges in nanomedicine. At the Li Lab, I design and synthesize ionizable lipids for lipid nanoparticles, leveraging my chemistry background to improve therapeutic targeting and overcome biological barriers to drug delivery. Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring Toronto, watching movies, and reading.

Andrew earned his Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) at McMaster University. During his studies, he led an undergraduate synthetic biology team focused on engineering bacterial biosensors for gut-metabolite sensing and bacterial delivery systems with enhanced tumor colonization to reduce the off-target effects of existing cancer therapies. In parallel, his undergraduate thesis—conducted in collaboration with the Didar and Hosseinidoust labs—centered on developing bacteriophage-embedded sutures for preventing post-surgical infections. As a research assistant in the Li Lab, Andrew works on optimizing gene-therapeutic delivery using engineered virus-like particles. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing volleyball, hosting dinners for friends, and dancing (terribly). 

Christabel completed her HBSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and Neuroscience at the University of Toronto. In the Li Lab, she is interested in exploring different modalities of RNA medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, musical theatre, and trying out new cafes around Toronto! 

I’m an undergraduate student at uoft, majoring in Immunology and Cell & System Biology. I’m passionate about next-generation gene delivery strategies and their potential translational applications, particularly in immunotherapy and immunoengineering. Outside of the lab, I like walking around the city and thrifting! 

I am an undergraduate student in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Toronto, and I am passionate about developing new strategies to improve therapeutic design. In my free time, I enjoy photography and watching movies. 

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, double-majoring in Chemistry and Health & Disease with a minor in Immunology. With my research project, I hope to create a circular RNA and lipid nanoparticle vaccine for lung cancer. In the future, I hope to continue researching cancer therapies, especially in children, and bridge scientific research and patient outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy painting, baking, and hanging out with friends!

I am an undergraduate student in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. RNA medicine excites me in its wide range of possible applications and during my time at the Li Lab, I hope to make my own contributions to this field.