Hedong Li

Hedong Li is an Associate Professor at Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia, Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine. His research focuses on Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) repair, microRNA (miRNA) biology, and in vivo neuronal reprogramming. He combines miRNA mechanisms with cellular conversion technology to regenerate functional neurons from reactive glial cells for SCI treatment.

• Education:
  • B.S., Biochemistry, Nankai University (1990)
  • Ph.D., Molecular Neuroscience, Wayne State University (1999)

Dr. Li's research explores miRNA-mediated neuronal reprogramming, glial development, and neural stem/progenitor cell mechanisms. His work has significant implications for CNS functional repair and miRNA-based therapeutics. Recent studies investigate NeuroD1 expression optimization and miRNA-375's role in neuronal survival.

His 15 most recent publications (2014–2025) span neuroscience, molecular biology, and regenerative medicine, with sub-fields like gene expression control, viral vector applications, and neurodegenerative disease models. Current projects include NIH-funded R01 and R21 grants on miRNA-enhanced neuronal conversion for SCI repair.

Scientific service includes roles as Frontiers in Neuroscience Associate Editor and reviewer for NIH/CMBG, NIH/CNNT, and DoD/CDMRP SCIRP. He leads the Departmental Seminar Series (2022–present) and previously chaired NeuroClub (2021–2022).

Dr. Li's lab trains graduate and undergraduate students, including PhD candidates Kris Mayes and Natalie Mseis. Key grants include NIH R01 (PI) and NIH R21 (PI) projects.