Yuanyuan Li

Yuanyuan Li is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Genetics at Yale University School of Medicine. She holds a PhD from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2012). Her research focuses on genetic disorders, particularly those involving cilia biology and kidney diseases, using zebrafish and mouse models. Key areas include ciliary motility, kidney cyst formation, and the molecular mechanisms underlying nephronophthisis and Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

Her work spans developmental biology, molecular genetics, and cell biology, with a strong emphasis on understanding ciliary function and its role in human diseases. Notable collaborations include studies with Zhaoxia Sun and Stefan Somlo on kidney pathology and ciliary assembly. Publications highlight contributions to nephrology, cilia-associated disorders, and zebrafish as a model organism.

• Education: PhD in Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2012)
• Research Themes: Ciliopathies, kidney development, protein assembly, and genetic modeling

Recent articles emphasize cotranslational protein condensation mechanisms and the role of cochaperones in dynein biogenesis, as well as the genetic basis of renal epithelial dysfunction. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges basic science and translational research, addressing critical questions in developmental and disease biology.