Dr. Yukun Li  | Bioinformatics | Best Researcher Award

 Central South University | China

Publication Profile

Scopus

👩‍🎓 Education & Experience

Dr. Yukun Li was born in Hunan, China, and has built a strong academic foundation in both clinical medicine and molecular research. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Medicine from Jishou University in 2016, followed by a Ph.D. in Epigenetics from the University of South China, completed in 2022. Professionally, she has been affiliated with Central South University since 2018. She began her career as an Assistant Professor at Xiangya Hospital, Zhuzhou Central South University, and progressed to the role of Researcher in the Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre in 2022. As of January 2025, she serves as the Deputy Director of the Laboratory in the same department, continuing her dual focus on reproductive health and oncology research.

✅ Suitability Summary

With over a decade of academic and clinical experience, Dr. Li is well-positioned as a rising expert in cancer biology and reproductive medicine. Her educational background in epigenetics, combined with hands-on experience in a hospital-based research setting, makes her uniquely suited for translational medical research. Her expertise bridges the gap between clinical observations and molecular mechanisms, particularly in the context of ovarian and lung cancers. Dr. Li has a proven track record of leading research projects, publishing in high-impact journals, and exploring therapeutic resistance and tumor progression, showcasing her suitability for roles in both academic and applied biomedical research environments.

📜 Professional Development

Dr. Li’s professional journey reflects a strong trajectory of growth and leadership. Beyond her academic titles, she has cultivated a research environment focused on innovation and collaboration. She regularly mentors junior researchers, contributes to cross-disciplinary projects, and participates in international scientific communication. Her work consistently focuses on refining molecular understanding to guide better therapeutic strategies. Her leadership was formally recognized with her appointment as Deputy Director of the Laboratory in 2025, a role in which she oversees both clinical and experimental research related to assisted reproduction and oncology.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Yukun Li’s primary research interests lie in the pathogenesis of malignant tumors, with a specialized focus on ovarian cancer. Her studies frequently examine the role of endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM1), which she has identified as a critical regulator of angiogenesis, tumor metabolism, and chemoresistance. Her work explores key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, JAK2/STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, and PKM2, particularly within the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Dr. Li also investigates lipid metabolism reprogramming, vascular mimicry, and immune evasion—factors central to understanding tumor progression and therapy resistance. Her translational approach enables the discovery of novel targets for intervention in solid tumors, particularly ovarian and lung adenocarcinoma.

🏆 Honors & Awards

While formal awards are not explicitly listed, Dr. Li’s prolific research output and frequent senior authorship position her as a highly regarded contributor to oncology research. Her work has been published in numerous top-tier, high-impact journals such as Molecular Cancer (IF: 37.29), Journal of Hematology & Oncology (IF: 29.50), and Advanced Science (IF: 14.29). Several of her studies are featured as first or corresponding author, reflecting her leadership and recognition within the research community. Her contributions to understanding cancer metabolism, drug resistance, and tumor angiogenesis mark her as an influential and rising figure in molecular oncology.

📚 Top Notes Publication