Junqi Li

Junqi Li is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Iowa State University (ISU), leading the Li Group focused on developing novel organic synthesis methods. Her research emphasizes skeletal editing reactions and the study of planar chiral molecules, particularly exploring atom-swapping reactions and catalytic enantioselective synthesis. She joined ISU in 2019 after postdoctoral training with Professors Dean Toste (UC Berkeley) and Scott Miller (Yale University).

Education:

• B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry – National University of Singapore
• Ph.D. in Chemistry – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2015) under Prof. Martin Burke

Research Interests: Junqi's lab investigates:

• Development of reactions enabling carbon framework modifications (e.g., Ni/Pd-catalyzed decarboxylation)
• Synthesis and characterization of planar chiral macrocyclic cyclophanes
• Exploration of atropisomerism in complex molecules

Grants & Recognition: Her work on atom-swapping reactions received NIH MIRA ESI funding (2022). She was awarded the Nobel Laureate Signature Award for Graduate Education (2017).

Lab Activities: The Li Group trains students in method development, asymmetric catalysis, and organometallic chemistry. Recent achievements include publishing studies on metacyclophane conformational isomerism (2024) and receiving fellowships for group members (David N. & Minnie I. Wall Fellowship, Edward V. Sayre Scholarship).