Joan Li

Dr. Joan Li is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland's Academy for Medical Education within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. She holds an MD and PhD, blending clinical practice with biomedical research. Her dual focus spans medical education innovation and kidney/heart disease research. She contributes to curriculum design, assessment strategies, and student learning outcomes in biomedical science and medicine courses.

Education: MD and PhD from The University of Queensland. Research expertise includes cardiac and renal disease mechanisms, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. Notable work includes discovering novel renal papilla development mechanisms and exploring AI applications in medical assessment (e.g., ChatGPT evaluation).

Research interests bridge biomedical science and education: kidney/heart regeneration, tissue engineering, and educational technology. Over 40 peer-reviewed publications include high-impact papers in Nephrology, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, and Australasian Journal of Educational Technology.

Grants and Funding: Secured grants for kidney fibrosis research (Twin Towns Services Foundation) and nanoparticle-based therapies (Diabetes Australia).

Supervision: Actively mentors PhD students on topics like intervertebral disc regeneration, cardiac cell reprogramming, and pediatric heart surgery outcomes.

Academic Engagement: Editor for Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, invited lecturer at American Society of Nephrology conferences, and presenter at AMEE and ANZAHPE education forums.