Lab Members

Emory University School of Medicine
Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
1510 Clifton Rd.
RRC Room 5109
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-5987
Contact Dr. Li

Lian Li is a Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at Emory University School of Medicine.  Dr. Li earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California at Davis, where she elucidated the structure-function relationship and regulation of acetylcholine receptors under the mentorship of Dr. Mark McNamee.  She then completed her postdoctoral training in Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences with Nobel Laureate Dr. Paul Greengard at Rockefeller University, studying the presynaptic machinery in control of neurotransmitter release.  Prior to joining the faculty at Emory University in 2001, Dr. Li was a faculty member in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, leading a molecular neuropharmacology laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology. 

Dr. Li’s research focuses on neuronal signaling mechanisms, neurodegenerative disease pathways, and therapeutic target discovery.  She leads a laboratory in unveiling the molecular mechanisms that control brain function in health and neurodegenerative diseases by using a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary approach that combines proteomics, glycoproteomics, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular genetics, network biology, and animal model studies with translational research in human patient specimens.  Dr. Li and her team have identified many novel regulators of protein trafficking and signaling and uncovered several pathways involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, and peripheral neuropathy. Research in the Li Lab has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1998.

Dr. Li is deeply committed to teaching, mentoring, and training the next generation of scientists.  She has mentored numerous graduate students, undergraduates, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, many now in prestigious roles across academia, industry, the NIH, and other government agencies.  Dr. Li is a staunch advocate for women and underrepresented groups in science and provides strong support in leadership development and career advancement. Her devotion to mentoring and fostering excellence has been recognized through the Emory School of Medicine Mentoring Award for Outstanding Mentoring and Leadership to Trainees and Early-Career Faculty.

Dr. Li has been a dedicated member of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) since 1997, and she was named a ASPET Fellow in 2025.  Dr. Li has served as the chair or a regular member on numerous NIH study sections and other review panels.  Dr. Li is a Fellow of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) with demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing academic medicine.

Jie Tian, PhD
Assistant Scientist
Contact Dr. Tian

Chang Liu, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Contact Dr. Liu