Chong Li
Principal Investigator
Dr. Chong Li earned his Ph.D. in Human Genetics and Genomics from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in the United States in 2018. He then conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Austria, working in the laboratory of Dr. Jürgen Knoblich. There, he employed stem cell–derived brain organoid systems to investigate human brain development. During this period, he developed CHOOSE—a single-cell functional genomics platform that integrates stem cell engineering, high-throughput genetic screening, and single-cell transcriptomics to quantitatively assess cell type–specific defects associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In 2024, Dr. Li established his independent laboratory at the Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) in Beijing, China. His research focuses on uncovering the fundamental principles of human-specific brain development and the molecular mechanisms underlying brain disorders.
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Ya Zhang Postdoctoral ResearcherAn interdisciplinary researcher transitioning from hematology to brain science, driven by long-standing curiosity about development and disease. Hoping to contribute—however modestly—to better understanding and improved therapies.
2016-2023, Ph.D. in Genomics, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2012-2016, Bachelor in Biotechnology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
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Wanyi Chen PhD Student2024 to present, Peking Union Medical College, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ph.D. student
2020-2024, Southern Medical University, Medical Laboratory Technology, Bachelor’s degree
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Yuxuan Shui PhD StudentINTJ. Often found working while quietly losing my mind (hairline still intact, for now). Materializing in random corners of the lab, preferring to work and code in peaceful solitude. Always on-site and ready to be grabbed. Available for scientific illustration orders (price negotiable). Dreaming of funding early retirement through PowerPoint artistry. Wet lab work survives on the mercy of senior lab masters; dry lab runs on GPT and sheer will. Currently in a committed relationship with learning.
2025-present, Peking University, Integrated Life Sciences, Ph.D. student
2021-2025, Southern University of Science and Technology, Biological Science, Bachelor’s degree
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Yi Wang PhD StudentMeow meow meow~ meow meow~ meow~ woof woof~ woof woof woof~
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Li Jiang Lab ManagerClose to becoming a pharmacist；
Later synthesizing for three years;
Then clinical monitoring for another five years；
Now a lab manager.
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Yifan Lin Research AssistantFormer pig farmer by training. Current loyal reader of Nature, Science, Cell, and other top-tier journals. Amateur embryoid breeder—specializing in plump, happy EB babies in tiny cell condos. Dry ice whisperer, occasional victim, and frequent complainer. Opera Phenix enthusiast and certified novice. Code-runner powered by ChatGPT.
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Yuanyuan Tian Research AssistantThe Flash, always flashes between cell culture room, molecular lab, and lab bench (you won't find me at the office cubicle-ever). Ths Superman, a senior cell feeder, knowing exactly what's their favourite flavours (today's medium is on point). The Thanos, a destroyer of lab supplies, consuming half the gloves and half the shoe covers per snap (purely at random).
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Dizhe Xie Research Assistantaka Andy|Chr. XY|Sagittarius|ENFJ|23(for now)
I hold a BSc in Biological Sciences and an MRes in Experimental Neuroscience from Imperial College London. Currently, I work as a research assistant in Dr. Li's Lab, where I focus on developing midbrain organoid protocols.
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Zehua Wu BioinformaticianA human being with a brain and trying to solve things using it. Currently working as a data miner (a cyber artist, true), a welder of complex pipelines (they are really running, right?), and a bug reporter (armed with insect repellent and the system reboot button). Feel free to reach out if you're interested in pipeline design, data visualization — or food recomendation :)
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Kaitian Zhang Research AssistantAlways fascinated by life science and eager to learn more about it, both in experimental, quantitative, and high-throughput ways.
2022–2024, Master of Medical Science, Karolinska Institutet
2018–2022, Bachelor of Science, Guangdong Technion–Israel Institute of Technology