Dr. Lei Li

Dr. Lei Li is an organic and polymer chemist. After receiving his B.S. (2010) and M.S. (2013) degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University (China), Dr. Li attended the University of Florida (UF) and obtained his Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Ronald K. Castellano (Dec. 2018). At UF, Dr. Li developed a series of self-assembling oligothiophenes to investigate their solid-state packing and applications as donor materials for organic photovoltaics. The photophysical property changes of thienyl-pyridyl oligomers after protonation and metalation were also investigated to evaluate their sensing potentials. At the same time, Dr. Li evaluated the photo-switching properties of a family of dicyanorhodanine-functionalized oligothiophenes in both solution and solid state. In Feb. 2019, Dr. Li headed to Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) to work with Prof. Jonathan C. Barnes as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. At WashU, Dr. Li conducted the methodology studies of synthesizing linear [4]catenanes in one-pot, and developed a dual-responsive hydrogel for molecular muscle application. In May 2020, Dr. Li moved to Clemson University to take the position of Research Assistant Professor in Prof. Marek W. Urban's group. At Clemson, Dr. Li studied the organic and polymer synthesis of stimuli-responsive and self-healable materials and evaluated their applications in the Vitrimer realm. Dr. Li started his independent research at Western Kentucky University in July 2022, with a focus on developing the synthetic methodology for bioactive molecules and studying the fundamental mechanisms of fluorescent sensing and stimuli-responsive behaviors.