Li Lab Members

Chaoran is an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Chaoran obtained a BSc in Biological Sciences from Peking University and a PhD in Immunology from Duke University. He completed his postdoctoral training in the joint laboratory of Drs. Diane Mathis and Christophe Benoist at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on dissecting the regulation of immunocytes, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs) residing in non-lymphoid tissues, and how they control organismal metabolism and tissue homeostasis.

Yeun-po (Robert) obtained a PhD degree from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where his research mainly focused on lipid metabolism in the liver and intestine. He started working at the Li lab in 2023, and he is interested in the regulation of T cells in the liver and Tregs related research. His passion for research has always driven him to explore new areas and make meaningful contributions to science. In his free time, he enjoys doing exercise, hiking outdoors, and looking for delicious food.

Pamela earned her B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Biotechnology at Brigham Young University Idaho. She led an undergraduate autoimmune research project studying the role of PTPN22 in autoimmunity. During her senior year she was awarded with an INBRE scholarship to peruse her biomedical research career. She is interested in understanding the T cell receptor signaling pathway and the genetic mutations associated with autoimmune diseases, such as vitiligo, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s disease, and type I diabetes. She is from Mexico, and she wants to earn a PhD. in Immunology/Genetics. She enjoys challenging herself, obtaining knowledge and new skills.

Cody Elkins graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Biology in 2016. He is a current graduate student in the Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis program. Cody is interested in the role of Tregs in tissue repair and in the homeostasis of adipose tissue as well as their role in the pathogenesis of immune-associated diseases such as autoimmunity, viral infection, and immunodeficiency. In his free time, Cody enjoys playing fingerstyle guitar, hiking outdoors, and going to new restaurants around town.   

Yinan is a graduate student in the Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis program. She is interested in the epigenetic and metabolic changes in the Tregs from the non-lymphoid tissues and thus joined the Li lab. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling and reading.

Jacy earned her B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University. As a graduate student in the Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis program, she is interested in understanding how immune cells, particularly Tregs, contribute to maintaining tissue homeostasis. Her focus is on metabolic regulation and the immune mechanisms underlying obesity and tissue remodeling. Outside of the lab, Jacy enjoys spending time in nature, watching horror films, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Sophia is a sophomore at Emory University pursuing a B.S. in biology and on the pre-med track. She is interested in learning more about immunology and research. In her free time, she enjoys playing badminton and the flute.

Jianliang is a visiting student from Central South University. She is majoring in medicine and is interested in the interaction between metabolism and immune response and revealing new ways to target inflammatory diseases. In her free time, Jianliang enjoys reading and watching movies.