Chenjian Li

Biography

Chenjian (C.J.) Li, PhD
Alex and Shirley Aidekman Family Professor of Neurology

Dr. Li creates new molecular genetic tools and techniques that yield insight into the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, and into normal brain functions at the molecular, cellular and circuitry levels.
Dr. Li joined Mount Sinai in October 2010, where he continues to advance our understanding about the origins and pathways of diseases that affect the human mind. Prior to coming to Mount Sinai, Dr. Li led the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Neurological Diseases in the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York. At Weill Medical College, Dr. Li developed mouse and rat models for Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders to address questions such as  discovering the patterns behind selective neuronal death in regions of the brain affected by disease, how deficits in motor function, learning and memory occur, and what initiated cell death and whether there is a way to intervene. Using these mouse and rat models, Dr. Li and his team will also test potential drugs and genetic modifiers.

Dr. Li attended Beijing University and Peking Union Medical College.  He obtained his PhD in molecular neurobiology from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, where he studied molecular genetics of vision and retinal degeneration in Drosophila system.  Subsequently,  Dr. Li completed postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University in New York where he was mentored by some of the world’s most renowned basic research scientists. He studied in the laboratory of acclaimed researcher Bruce S. McEwen, PhD, investigating neuronal synapse remodeling and learning and memory. He then joined a research team led by Nathaniel Heintz, PhD, and helped develop bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic technology.

An award-winning scientist, Dr. Li has been presented with several prestigious scientific prizes, including the National Research Service Award, the C.H. Li Memorial award, research awards from Michael J. Fox Foundation, Hereditary Disease Foundation, and Dana Foundation. His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. He also received the National Book Award in China for his translation of Richard Feyman's book.