Ziru Li, PhD
Faculty Scientist I
Center for Molecular Medicine
Li Lab
Our lab investigates how the gut, bone, heart, and bone-resident cells interact—and how these communication networks shape overall metabolic and endocrine health.
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Ziru LiFaculty Scientist I Dr. Li majored in Clinical Medicine for five years and found her interest in solving the healthy problems related to obesity. Given there are still so many unanswered questions in the field, her curiosity of the biological mechanisms of obesity drove her to a PhD program at Peking University in China. Dr. Li found herself enjoying basic science so much that as a result, she decided to continue her research as a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. After finishing her postdoctoral training, she came to Maine and joined MHIR as a Faculty Scientist. Her lab projects are investigating the roles of the gut-bone axis in bariatric surgery-caused bone loss and the influence of bone marrow adipocytes in bone homeostasis. |
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May Eltahir
Research Assistant I graduated with a B.A. from Temple University and joined the Li Lab in August 2024. I’m currently pursuing a M.S. in bioinformatics at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, where I can combine computational tools with lab research on the gut–bone axis. My research interests focus is on understanding how bariatric surgery affects physiological, behavioral, and neurological outcomes, with the goal of finding ways to reduce skeletal complications. I plan to continue on to a PhD in the near future and open to exploring new opportunities that align with my interests. |
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Tiange Feng
Postdoctoral Fellow I joined the Li Lab in the summer of 2023. My research investigates the effects and underlying mechanisms of bone marrow adipocytes on neighboring cells and distant organs. Through analyzing the snRNA-seq and proteomics data from my projects, I’ve developed a particular interest in bioinformatics. Therefore, I’m now learning computational biology at NEU, building on my Ph.D. training in physiology from Peking University. My goal is to integrate my experimental background with computational methods to gain a deeper, systemic understanding of disease mechanisms. Award: 2025: ASBMR2025 Young Investigator Travel Grant |
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Caroline C. Picoli Postdoctoral Fellow I joined the Li Lab in October 2022 after earning my PhD in Cell Biology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. My scientific interests focus on adipose tissue biology, neurons, and strategies to reduce obesity, including bariatric surgery, physical exercise, nutrition, and pharmacological approaches. My main research in Dr. Li’s lab investigates bariatric surgery, an effective strategy for weight loss and improvement of type 2 diabetes, when other treatments have failed, can lead to unintended side effects such as bone loss. To address this, I’m focused on understanding the gut–bone axis and identifying molecular and cellular factors that may guide the development of strategies to preserve skeletal health. Awards:
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Radfar Zohori
Research Assistant Graduating with my B.A degree in medical biology for health sciences from the University of New England. As someone who’s been on the heavier side of the BMI scale, who considered bariatric surgery, researching independently on the effects of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy led me to be curious about the negative impacts it has on the body. With no prior interest in research, I applied for an internship in Ziru Li’s lab and later joined the team. Sparking my curiosity for ways to help mitigate the breakdown of bone density post-bariatric surgeries. As surgery becomes increasingly common in weight loss and management; expanding my knowledge further is a goal of mine in this lab. By understanding the mechanisms of why our body undergoes certain conditions and being able to assist and come up with strategies that help people in the long term is the reason I joined the team. |