Yanyan Li

Dr. Yanyan Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Binghamton University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She joined the university in January 2024, bringing expertise in nutritional biochemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. Her research focuses on gut microbiota-dietary natural product interactions, targeting chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, aging-related disorders, and inflammation-associated cancers. She holds a PhD in Nutrition and Food Science from The Ohio State University and a BS in Biology from Nanjing Normal University.

Dr. Li’s work integrates preclinical mechanistic studies with human clinical trials, utilizing molecular tools, animal models, and microbiome/metabolome analysis. Key research areas include microbiome-based precision strategies for disease prevention, nano-delivery systems via dietary exosomes, and pharmacokinetic modeling (PK/PBPK). Her lab is funded by NIH/NIDDK and USDA/NIFA grants, totaling over $2 million in research support.

Her scientific awards include the NIH/NIDDK 1R15DK133826-01 grant and multiple USDA/NIFA awards for foundational and applied science projects. Current collaborations focus on targeted drug delivery and translational research in oncology and gastrointestinal health. She actively contributes to bridging nutritional science with pharmaceutical advancements through interdisciplinary approaches.

Dr. Li’s research narrative combines innovative lab techniques with real-world clinical applications. Her grants emphasize developing functional foods (e.g., kimchi variations) and therapeutic strategies leveraging natural products. Future directions include microbiome-driven personalized medicine and optimizing dietary interventions for chronic disease management.