Li Chan

Professor Li Chan is a Professor of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism at Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, affiliated with the William Harvey Research Institute. She also serves as an Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology. Her academic career began with a Medicine degree from the University of Cambridge, followed by paediatric training at Barts and the London Hospitals. She completed her PhD at Queen Mary University investigating MRAP2, a protein critical to melanocortin receptor function. Her research focuses on melanocortin receptor accessory proteins (MRAPs), adrenal function, energy homeostasis, and familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD). She has held prestigious fellowships, including the MRC/Academy of Medical Sciences Clinician Scientist award, and was recognized with the Journal of Endocrinology's Outstanding Young Researcher Prize (2012). She has also served as a visiting Associate Professor at Yale School of Medicine (2017).

Her research team investigates MRAPs' roles in adrenal disorders and metabolic pathways, alongside developing MC2R antagonists for ACTH-related conditions. Collaborations include work with the Sanger Institute, Yale University, and Boston Children’s Hospital. She co-leads the Lifelong Health theme at Queen Mary and contributes to editorial roles at *Endocrine Connections*. Her work is supported by grants from the Wellcome Trust, MRC, and other institutions.

Notable achievements include advancing understanding of MRAPs' promiscuous regulatory roles beyond melanocortin receptors and their implications in clinical conditions like Cushing’s disease. She actively participates in leadership programs, such as the SUSTAIN Academy of Medical Sciences, and sits on the GOSH Charity’s Research Assessment Panel.