THE LI LABORATORY
Department of Biology
Center for Biological Clocks Research
Texas A&M University
Meet Our Members
Fumihiro Ito, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Postdoc Kyorin University, Japan
Ph.D. The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Japan
M.S. University of Tokyo, Japan
B.S. University of Ehime, Japan
Fumihiro joined the Li Lab in early 2023. He received his Ph.D. in comparative analysis of fish development at the Graduate University for Advanced studies in Japan. As a postdoc researcher at Kyorin University, he studied the diversity of Drosophila behaviors, in particular, temperature preference behavior and the effects of temperature on locomotor activity and sleep. Fumihiro has a great interest in understanding the evolution of animal behavior. In the Li lab, using Drosophila melanogaster, he studies environmental factors that can impact the perception of social isolation to uncover the molecular/neural mechanisms of how flies behaviorally and physiologically adjust themselves to the external environment.
Min Feng, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Postdoc Texas A&M University
Ph.D. Zhejiang University, China
B.S. Shandong Agricultural University, China
Min earned her Ph.D. in baculovirus molecular biology from Zhejiang University in China, focusing on viral gene function and virus-host interaction. During her previous postdoctoral training in a synthetic biology lab, she studied the impact of bacterial genetics on animal development. Min has a deep interest in understanding how animal behavior impacts pathological progression. By joining Dr. Li’s lab in 2024, she will explore the mechanism of how social behavior and circadian rhythms affect tumor progression using genetic tools in Drosophila. Outside of research, Min enjoys crafting with fabrics and yarns, baking, and spending time with her family.
Jingjing Yan, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Scientist
Ph.D. Ocean University of China, China
B.S. Qingdao Agricultural University, China
​Jingjing received her Ph.D. in ocean biology from the Ocean University of China, where her research focused on genetics studies in aquaculture. She came to the United States with her husband in 2013. She joined the lab in 2023 and is interested in using molecular techniques to reveal the relationship between chronic stress and chronic diseases. Jingjing spends her spare time with her family to discover exciting places and interesting things to do.
Xin Chen, Ph.D.
Scientific Administrator
Research Associate
Ph.D. University of Oxford, UK
B.A. Peking University, China
Xin received her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Oxford. She has worked with leading research institutions and museums in the USA, UK, and China as a researcher, editor, instructor, and curator for over twelve years. She is interested in using her expertise in arts and humanities to help scientific works.
Yangyuan Li
Research Engineer
Research Program Associate I
M.S. Texas A&M University
B.Eng. Southern University of Science and Technology, China
Yangyuan graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Southern University of Science and Technology in China. He received his master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University in August 2024.
Brissa Castillo
Graduate student
B.S. Texas A&M University
Brissa earned her Bachelor's of Science in Biomedical Science in 2022 and has since been working as the lab manager and research assistant in the Li Lab. In Fall 2024, she will begin her journey as a Ph.D. student. Brissa is eager to delve deeper into her research, focusing on the perception of social isolation, the behavioral impacts and mechanisms of circadian disruption, and their roles in genetic diseases and cancer progression. Beyond her research pursuits, Brissa enjoys going for runs, tasting new dishes and traveling to new places.
Jennifer Dong
Research Assistant
Jennifer is responsible for supporting research in the Li lab, including Drosophila husbandry and genetics, which provide the essential foundations for the lab's research projects.
Kelsey Mainard
Graduate student
B.S. Texas A&M University
Originally from California, Kelsey received her B.S. in Biology from Texas A&M University in 2023 and will begin her Ph.D. in Biology in Dr. Li's Lab in 2024. In her undergraduate years, she assisted Dr. Garcia’s C. elegans lab for two years, personally examining if stress behavior may be spreadable. Over time, she has developed a particular interest in epigenetics, neuroscience, and bioinformatics. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys drawing, ice skating, being outdoors, and listening to music!
Esther Doria
Graduate student
B.S. Texas A&M University
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Esther received her bachelor's degree majoring in International Studies and minoring in Mandarin-Chinese. She plans on furthering her education with a graduate degree in Public Health and doing research in global health. Her interests lie in how social, cultural, and political aspects of life affect health. When she can, she enjoys gardening, rock climbing, cooking, and playing piano.
Fiona Gugala
Research Program Associate I
B.S. Texas A&M University
Fiona received her B.S. in Neuroscience major in 2024, and she is following the pre-med track! She was born and raised in Houston around the medical center, so medicine has been around her for her entire life. Fiona hopes to become a neurologist, and learn more about the brain and circadian rhythm by joining the Li lab. When she is not in the lab, Fiona loves to stay at home and watch some of her favorite shows or critically-acclaimed movies like Game of Thrones and Parasite. She also loves to explore new locations to see all the different cafes and restaurants they have!
Hunter Lindsey
Student Research Assistant
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Hunter, a current Biology major at Texas A&M University, is originally from Dallas, TX. Hunter’s goal is to pursue medicine with the hopes of one day becoming an orthopedic surgeon. The interesting relationship between stress, circadian rhythms, and cancer is what led Hunter to join the Li Lab to better understand such a prominent issue in the medical community today. Outside of the lab, Hunter enjoys staying active, reading, spending time with his friends, and serving the community!
Daniel Nguyen
Student Research Assistant
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Daniel is a senior undergraduate Molecular & Cellular Biology major graduating in May 2025. He is interested in applying computational tools to study biological data. His future goals are to pursue a PhD program in computational biology, and eventually contribute to the accessibility of personalized medicine in the future. Aside from academics, Daniel is interested in fish and plant keeping, climbing, and cooking!
Robin Erickson
Student Research Assistant
Robin, originally from College Station, is receiving her B.S.A. in chemistry from UT Austin in December 2024. She has spent her summers working on molecular biology projects in the Li lab, with a focus on histone mutations and their relation to chronic illness. Robin hopes to attend medical school in 2025, and to use her experience in the lab to better understand the genetic components underlying disease. When not in lab, she enjoys baking, drawing, reading, and spending time with her friends.
Our Alumni
Socrates Shawn, former Student Research Technician, received his B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University in May 2024.
Sreeram Pasupuleti, former Student Research Assistant, received his B.S. degree in Biology at Texas A&M University in May 2024.
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