Meet Joyce Li: Unraveling the Mysteries of Neuroscience
Joyce Li on Yale’s campus.
Meet Joyce Li, senior lab member and research associate, her passion for neuroscience shines through the work she does and her interests.
Academic Background
Joyce pursued her undergraduate studies in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at Emory University. During this time, they delved into research in an animal lab, focusing on songbirds to investigate complex motor behaviors and the role of dopamine in the avian brain.
Her fascination with neuroscience ignited during high school, where she participated in the Brain Bee competition at the national level. This experience sparked a deep curiosity about the impacts of neuropathology and chemical imbalances on human psyche and function, ultimately driving her to pursue neuroscience in college
Research Interests
Joyce is particularly passionate about identifying biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease before cognitive decline sets in, a field known as preclinical AD. Her recent project involves analyzing tau deposition and functional connectivity in the amygdala, aiming to contribute valuable insights to this area of research.
Collaborations
In addition to her research endeavors, Joyce has been actively involved in training new members and collaborating with external researchers, such as the Stanford Aging Memory Study. Notably, she’s taken the lead on a collaboration with Stanford investigating the role of the thalamus in preclinical AD.
Professional Development
Joyce has shared her work and knowledge through conference presentations at AAIC 2023 and SfN 2023.
Favorite Tools/Techniques
Utilizing fMRI and seed-based methods, Joyce analyzes functional connectivity to unravel the complexities of brain regions in Alzheimer’s disease.
Future Goals
While Joyce plans to pursue a career primarily as a clinician, she aspires to continue contributing to clinical research as a neurologist or psychiatrist.
Outside Interests
Beyond the lab, Joyce finds joy in knitting/crocheting, cooking, and baking.
Fun Facts
Did you know that Joyce spent a year living in the Netherlands (she remembers two Dutch words)?
Words of Wisdom
For aspiring researchers, Joyce emphasizes the importance of patience and diligence in the pursuit of knowledge. Her advice: never lose hope and always keep moving forward.
Joyce Li brings a unique blend of academic rigor and warmth to our lab, embodying the spirit of curiosity and perseverance. We're fortunate to have her as part of our team, driving forward our shared mission in uncovering the complexities of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.