Jun Li Lab
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About Our Lab
Summary of Research
Dr. Jun Li, MD, PhD, was appointed to be the Chair of the Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology at the Houston Methodist Hospital, effective on June 1, 2022. Dr. Li most recently served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at Wayne State University (WSU), where he was also Specialist-in-Chief of Neurology at the Detroit Medical Center and Scientific Director of Translational Neuroscience Initiatives. Dr. Li spent the first nine years of his faculty career at WSU, followed by nine years at Vanderbilt University before taking on the chair position at WSU in 2018. As a physician-scientist, he subspecializes in peripheral nerve diseases and myelin biology. His laboratory has been continuously funded by NIH since 2004. He has published more than 90 articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. These contributions earned him the Wolfe Research Prize from the American Neurological Association in 2014.
In addition to his own work, Li has a passion for mentoring students, post-doctoral scientists, and junior faculty. Many of his trainees have become independent investigators in academic institutions.
He is a newly elected counselor of AUPN and a current member of the American Neurological Association Board of Directors. He has also served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, and the scientific committee of the Peripheral Nerve Society. He has been a member of NIH study sections for more than a decade.
In addition to his own work, Li has a passion for mentoring students, post-doctoral scientists, and junior faculty. Many of his trainees have become independent investigators in academic institutions.
He is a newly elected counselor of AUPN and a current member of the American Neurological Association Board of Directors. He has also served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, and the scientific committee of the Peripheral Nerve Society. He has been a member of NIH study sections for more than a decade.
Research Areas
- Inherited Peripheral Nerve Diseases
- Myelin Biology
- Peripheral Nerve Electrophysiology
- Electromyogram
- Nerve Conduction Study
- Peripheral Nerve Quantitative MRI (QMRI) to Track Myelin and Axon Pathology
- Automation of Quantification of Peripheral Nerve Pathology
Summary of Research
Dr. Jun Li's research has two arms – basic science studies and clinical research. The basic science studies focus on a better understanding of myelin biology and its applications in inherited peripheral nerve diseases, identification of molecular targets, and therapeutic development.
Clinical Research
Clinical presentation of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) diseases typically includes distal muscle weakness, sensory loss, foot deformities, and absent deep tendon reflexes. CMT has been classified into several categories based on electrophysiological and pathological changes in the nerves and the array of genetic causes. Currently, there are over 100 specific genes that are linked with different subtypes of CMT. However, over 30% of diagnosed inherited neuropathies still have no known genetic cause.
Basic Studies
Our Program Faculty
Jun Li, MD, PhD, FANA, FAAN
Chair, Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
Professor of Neurology, Academic Institute
Full Clinical Member, Research Institute
Houston Methodist
Professor of Neurology, Academic Institute
Full Clinical Member, Research Institute
Houston Methodist
Bo Hu, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Academic Institute
Member, Research Institute, Academic Institute
Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
Neurological Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Member, Research Institute, Academic Institute
Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology
Neurological Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Lei Gao, MD, PhD
Research Scientist
Tiffany Gunnels
MD and PhD student
Texas A&M College of Medicine
Texas A&M College of Medicine
Richard Zhang, BS
Research Assistant
Bachelor of Science and Arts in Neuroscience
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science and Arts in Neuroscience
The University of Texas at Austin
Bellagio Lutjen, BS
Research Assistant
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences
University of Central Florida
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