Yun Li

Education:

B.S., Biology: University of Science and Technology of China, 1996

M.S., Biology: University of Science and Technology of China, 1998

Ph.D., Physiology: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 2003

Postdoctoral, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

 

Research Interests:

Dr. Li’s research program focuses on studying functions and dysfunctions of the prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal microcircuits play essential roles in planning, reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Disruptions in prefrontal microcircuits are associated with behavioral abnormalities in a variety of brain disorders. The team applies multidisciplinary approaches, including the miniscope in vivo calcium imaging technique, to study aberrant neural activity and dysfunctional prefrontal network in mouse models of dementia, depression, and autism, and to help developing strategies for early detection and intervention for these brain disorders.

 

Teaching:

Introduction to Neuroscience (ZOO4280/ZOO5280/NEUR5280, Fall)

Advanced Topics in Physiology: Neurobiology of Dementia (ZOO4735/ZOO5735, Spring)

 

Selective Publications:

 

1. Liu R*, Zhang Y, Lai M, Davydzenka V, Moffitt C, England N, Barbera G, Chen R, Lin DT*, Li Y*^# Graph Theory Identifies Altered Prefrontal Microcircuit Organization in Shank3 Mice, a Mouse Model of Autism. Cell Reports, 2026: 45 (8):117852. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117852 (*Co-corresponding authors, ^#Lead Contact)
2. Yang M, Ouyang X, Gautam S, Singleton M, Davydzenka V, Zhang J*, Li Y*^#. 2026. Forced Treadmill Running and Ladder Climbing Physical Activity Attenuates Cognitive Decline and Protein Aggregates in Aged 3xTg-AD Mice. Molecular Brain.org/10.1186/s13041-026-01332-z (In Press) (*Co-corresponding authors, ^#Lead Contact)
3. Gautam S, Ocon-Grove OM, Greaser JK, Adhikari N, Thapa R, Li Y. 2026. Protocol to Improve Gradient-index Lens Implantation In the Mouse Medial Prefrontal Cortex Using NeuralGlider-assisted Insertion. Star Protocols, 2026; 7 (3): 104769. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104769
4. Jean D and Li Y. 2026. Synaptic Chaperone Dysfunction as a Convergent Mechanism in Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Disorders. Neuroscience Insights. 2026; 21. doi:1177/26331055261424760
5. Thapa R, Adhikari N, Gautam S, Sun M, McOmie S, Davydzenka V, Smith D, Syring J, Kaligis H, Kosmicki J, Chen R, Li Y. 2025. Single-nucleus RNA Sequencing Reveals GABAergic Vulnerability and Reactive Gliosis Driven by Loss of TDP-43. iScience 28(11): 113745. org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.113745
6. Liang B, Thapa R, Zhang G, Moffitt C, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Johnston A, Ruby HP, Barbera G, Wong PC, Zhang Z, Lin DT, Li Y. 2022. Aberrant Neural Activity in Prefrontal Pyramidal Neurons Lacking TDP-43 Precedes Neuron Loss. Progress in Neurobiology 215: 112297. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102297
7. Liang B, Zhang L, Barbera G, Fang W, Zhang J, Chen X, Chen R, Li Y*^,#, Lin DT*. 2018. Distinct and dynamic ON and OFF neural ensembles in the prefrontal cortex code social exploration. Neuron 100, 700-714. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.08.043 (*Co-corresponding authors, ^#Lead Contact)
8. Barbera G, Liang B, Zhang L, Gerfen CR, Culurciello E, Chen R*, Li Y*, Lin DT*. 2016. Spatially compact neural clusters in the dorsal striatum encode locomotion relevant information. Neuron 92(1), 202-213. org/10.1016/j.neuron.2016.08.037 (*Co-corresponding authors)
9. Zhang W, Zhang L, Liang B, Schroeder D, Zhang ZW, Cox GA, Li Y*, Lin DT*. 2016. Hyperactive somatostatin interneurons contribute to excitotoxicity in neurodegenerative disorders. Nat Neurosci 19(4), 557-559. doi: 1038/nn.4257 (*Co-corresponding authors)

  

** I am currently recruiting graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.