Lian Li

Lian Li is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science. His laboratory focuses on atomic-scale characterization of quantum materials, including graphene, topological insulators, and 2D transition metal dichalcogenides. Research employs spectroscopic techniques to investigate strain, proximity effects, and spin-orbit interactions in condensed matter systems.

Li holds a BSc in Physics from Yunnan University (1983), an MSc from Tongji University (1987), and a PhD in Solid State Physics from Arizona State University (1995). Postdoctoral work included a JSPS Fellowship at Tohoku University and research at UCLA before joining UWM in 1999.

His research spans quantum material synthesis, surface science, and nanoscale phenomena. Key interests include van der Waals heterostructures, Dirac fermion manipulation, and defect engineering in 2D materials. Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on interfacial phenomena in topological materials and catalytic heterojunctions.

Awards:

• E. W. Müller Outstanding Young Scientist Award (1996)
• NSF CAREER Award (2001)
• UWM Research Foundation Research Award (2014)

Research is supported by NSF and DOE grants, with collaborative projects spanning atomic-scale microscopy laboratories and materials synthesis facilities.