Jian Li

Jian Li, MD, PhD, is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with joint appointments in the School of Nursing and the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health’s Environmental Health Sciences Department. His research focuses on epidemiological studies of work conditions and health, emphasizing psychosocial work characteristics, work stress-related health outcomes, and interventions in healthcare settings, particularly among nursing professionals. He joined UCLA in 2019 and holds a PhD in Public Health from Seoul National University (2005) and an MD in Preventive Medicine from Tongji Medical University (1997).

Dr. Li’s research explores workplace stressors, job redesign strategies, and stress management approaches to mitigate health burdens, such as the $246 billion annual economic toll of work stress in the U.S. His work includes studies on pandemic-related workplace challenges, telework effects, and racial disparities in mental health. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, including high-impact studies on job strain and cardiovascular disease mortality, opioid misuse linked to employment status, and burnout in post-acute coronary syndrome patients.

• Education:
• PhD, Public Health, Seoul National University, 2005
• MD, Preventive Medicine, Tongji Medical University, 1997

His awards include the 2020 Adolph Kammer Authorship Award (American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine), the 2010 Early Career Award (STAR Society), and recognition from the American Psychological Association (2008) and International Society of Behavioral Medicine (2006).

Dr. Li’s grants and collaborations focus on interdisciplinary projects addressing occupational health disparities, with a strong emphasis on nursing workforce well-being. He leads studies on stress measurement tools for high-risk professions like firefighting and contributes to global health initiatives, including WHO/ILO analyses of long working hours and cardiovascular disease burdens.

He is affiliated with UCLA’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences and collaborates with international researchers on workplace health interventions, emphasizing evidence-based policies for modern labor challenges.