Assoc. prof. Dr. Ting Li , College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University , China
Dr. Ting Li is a Vice Dean, Associate Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor at the College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, Shaanxi Normal University, China. She earned her Ph.D. from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2017, fully supported by a scholarship. Over the past 5 years, she has focused on dietary nutrition and gut health, contributing significantly to these fields. Dr. Li has authored over 40 SCI papers, including a high-impact publication in Cell Metabolism. Her academic achievements also include publishing an academic monograph and leading 14 research projects, with eight at provincial or national levels. She has been awarded the Shaanxi Youth Science Star and participated in projects receiving the Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Award. As a researcher, she has made notable strides in uncovering novel mechanisms in nutrition and gut microbiome interactions.
Publication Profile:
Scopus
Strengths for the Award:
- Exceptional Research Contributions:
Dr. Ting Li has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of food nutrition and gut microbiota. Notably, her research on stachyose’s novel function in regulating exosomal miRNAs in the gut has been published in top-tier journals such as Cell Metabolism. This is a highly innovative finding, challenging previous assumptions about oligosaccharides and opening new avenues in gut health research.
- Impressive Publication Record:
With over 40 peer-reviewed publications in SCI journals, Dr. Li demonstrates not only a consistent output of high-quality research but also a strong ability to address pressing scientific questions related to diet, gut microbiota, and metabolic disorders. Her work is widely recognized in the academic community, as evidenced by the significant citations of her papers.
- Leadership in Research:
Dr. Li is leading 14 research projects, many of which are provincial or national in scope. She has also been recognized with prestigious honors like the Shaanxi Youth Science Star award, showcasing her leadership role in advancing scientific knowledge in her field.
- Recognition and Impact:
Her research has direct implications for improving human health, such as her work on dietary interventions for metabolic disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases. Her contributions are not only academically significant but also have the potential to influence public health policy and industry practices.
- International Collaboration and Editorial Role:
As a young editorial board member of the Journal of Food Science and Technology and efood, Dr. Li is actively involved in shaping the future of food science research. Her collaborations further extend the global impact of her work.
Areas for Improvement:
- Broader Industry Engagement:
While Dr. Li has an extensive academic portfolio, expanding her work into direct industry applications (such as consulting, product development, or partnerships with food or health industries) could further enhance the practical impact of her research.
- Wider Outreach and Advocacy:
While Dr. Li’s academic contributions are commendable, increasing her involvement in public engagement, such as in public health education, could raise awareness about the importance of dietary nutrition and gut health. This could involve outreach programs, public talks, or educational campaigns targeting broader audiences.
- Building Mentorship Programs:
As a doctoral supervisor, Dr. Li has the opportunity to expand her mentoring role, guiding more students and early-career researchers, particularly women in science, and creating a more inclusive research environment.\
Education:
Dr. Ting Li’s educational journey began with a scholarship from Hong Kong to pursue a Ph.D. at Hong Kong Baptist University, where she obtained her degree in 2017. This opportunity marked a pivotal point in her academic development, fostering her deep interest in food science and nutrition. Her Ph.D. research focused on the complex relationships between food, gut microbiota, and metabolic health, laying the foundation for her future work. Since completing her doctorate, Dr. Li has joined Shaanxi Normal University, where she has continued her studies in food engineering, specifically within the fields of dietary nutrition and gut health. Her academic success, including publishing more than 40 peer-reviewed articles, reflects her dedication to advancing the understanding of nutrition’s role in promoting health, and her ongoing research focuses on innovative ways to improve gut microbiome health.
Experience:
Dr. Ting Li has extensive experience as an academic and researcher. After earning her Ph.D. in 2017, she joined Shaanxi Normal University, where she quickly established herself as a leader in the fields of food science, nutrition, and gut microbiome research. She is currently a Vice Dean and Associate Professor at the College of Food Engineering and Nutritional Science, also supervising doctoral students. Dr. Li has led 14 research projects, eight of which are at the provincial or national levels. She has authored over 40 research articles, with notable publications in Cell Metabolism and other high-impact journals. In addition, Dr. Li has published an academic monograph and contributed significantly to understanding dietary influences on gut health. Her work has been recognized with several accolades, including the Shaanxi Youth Science Star award. As a professional member of the Shaanxi Food Science and Technology Society and other nutrition-related organizations, she plays an active role in promoting scientific research.
Research Focus:
Dr. Ting Li’s primary research focuses on the relationship between dietary nutrition, gut health, and microbiome dynamics. Specifically, her work explores how various dietary components, including functional oligosaccharides and polyphenols, interact with gut microbiota and influence metabolic health. Dr. Li has uncovered new functions of indigestible stachyose, which alters exosomal miRNA profiles in small intestinal epithelial cells to reshape the gut microbiota. This finding challenges the conventional view of oligosaccharides as simple pass-through agents in the digestive system. Her research also delves into how food-derived nanoparticles, such as exosome-like particles from broccoli and garlic, can alleviate gut-related disorders. Additionally, her work extends into the therapeutic potential of food compounds to treat conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and colitis. Dr. Li’s research offers valuable insights into the nutritional properties of functional foods and their potential for enhancing gut health.
Publications Top Notes:
- Nondigestible stachyose binds membranous HSP90β on small intestinal epithelium to regulate the exosomal miRNAs: A new function and mechanism. 🧬📖 (Cell Metabolism, 2024)
- Peu-MIR2916-p3-enriched garlic exosomes ameliorate murine colitis by reshaping gut microbiota, especially by boosting the anti-colitic Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. 🧄🔬 (Pharmacological Research, 2024)
- Broccoli-derived exosome-like nanoparticles alleviate loperamide induced constipation, in correlation with regulation on gut microbiota and tryptophan metabolism. 🥦💩 (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2023) (Cover)
- Roundup-induced gut dysbiosis, irrelevant to aromatic amino acid deficiency, impairs the gut function in rats. 🚜💥 (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2024) (Cover)
- Extracellular vesicle miRNAs as key mediators in diet-gut microbiome-host interplay. 🧬🌱 (Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2023)
- Effects of Fu brick tea polysaccharides on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites of HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetes rats. 🍵💊 (Food & Function, 2023)
- Polyphenols and pectin enriched golden kiwifruit alleviates high fructose-induced glucolipid disorders and hepatic oxidative damage in rats. 🥝🍇 (Food Science and Human Wellness, 2023)
- Heimao tea polysaccharides ameliorate obesity by enhancing gut microbiota-dependent adipocytes thermogenesis in mice fed with high fat diet. 🍃🔥 (Food & Function, 2022)
- Protective effect of coriander on high-fructose and high-salt diet-induced hypertension: relevant to improvement of renal and intestinal function. 🌿💪 (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2022)
- Luteolin binds Src, promotes STAT3 protein ubiquitination and exerts anti-melanoma effects in cell and mouse models. 🍊🦠 (Biochemical Pharmacology, 2022)
Conclusion:
Dr. Ting Li is a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her outstanding contributions to food science and nutrition, combined with her leadership in research and publication, make her an exemplary figure in her field. The novelty and potential impact of her work, particularly in understanding the role of dietary components on gut health and microbiota, distinguish her as an innovator. Her academic success and recognition underscore her role as a rising star in the global scientific community, and the award would further empower her to continue her impactful research.