Man Hing Li

Man Hing Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics at UCLA. He leads the Li Lab, focusing on host innate immune responses against viral infections, particularly the mechanisms of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and antiviral proteins like ZAP. His research uses alphaviruses as model systems to study viral-host interactions.

Education:

• B.S. Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine (2006)
• Ph.D. Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle (2011)
• Virology Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Rockefeller University (2017)

Research Focus:

Dr. Li's lab investigates how ISGs like ZAP and TRIM25 synergize to inhibit viral replication. They study viral evasion strategies and the role of antiviral immunity in stem cells and barrier tissues, such as the blood-brain barrier. Recent work includes analyzing ZAP's stress granule localization and its role in viral resistance.

Funding & Grants:

• Principal Investigator: NIH R01AI158704 (2021–2026), studying ZAP inhibition mechanisms.
• Co-Investigator: American Heart Association grant (2022–2025), exploring viral fragments in cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19.

Lab & Collaborations:

The Li Lab collaborates with institutions like UCSF and UCSD, focusing on antiviral immunity, viral pathogenesis, and translational research in emerging viruses like Zika and alphaviruses.