Jianli Sun

Jianli Sun, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Delaware State University (DSU) within the Department of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on understanding neural defects in the cerebellum of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) mouse models, employing techniques such as electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, MRI, and single-cell RNA sequencing. He leads a lab recognized for pioneering studies on cerebellar pathology in SMA, including the 2023 discovery of structural and functional defects in Purkinje cells. His work is supported by an R15 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) awarded in 2022.

Education:

• B.S. in Biology
• M.S. in Physiology
• Ph.D. in Neurobiology & Neuroscience from Fudan University (2005)

Research Interests: Dr. Sun’s work bridges neurobiology and clinical research, emphasizing SMA’s multisystem impact. His studies investigate mechanisms of cerebellar degeneration, sex-based vulnerabilities in SMA patients, and the role of the SMN protein. Recent findings highlight the cerebellum’s critical role in SMA, challenging prior views of it as solely a lower motor neuron disease.

Scientific Contributions: His articles (2021–2025) explore cerebellar dysfunction, cortical circuitry evolution, and neurotrauma’s impact on axonal function. Key themes include translational research linking animal models to human pathology, with a focus on neuroimaging and genetic techniques.

Grants & Funding: A 2022 NINDS R15 grant enabled his SMA cerebellar pathology research. This funding supports ongoing investigations into Purkinje cell degeneration mechanisms.

Labs/Teams: His lab collaborates on multisystem SMA research, integrating cutting-edge methods to advance understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms.