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ATLANTA—Lei Li, an assistant professor of chemistry whose research focuses on carbohydrate synthesis and functional glycomics, has been named as one of two recipients of the 2024 Dean’s Early Career Award.
The award recognizes early-career faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences who are emerging leaders in their field of research, scholarship, or creative activity.
Li’s research focus revolves around developing innovative approaches to enhance the understanding and application of complex carbohydrates, also known as glycans, in various biophysical and pathological processes. His team has developed methodologies to streamline and automate the synthesis of diverse glycan structures and probes. As a core member of Georgia State’s Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Li and his collaborators also explore the applications of synthesized carbohydrates in flu and cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Li has won multiple federal awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has 27 peer-reviewed publications and a patent pending arising from his work at Georgia State.
Li earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from Shandong University in China and joined Dr. Peng George Wang's lab at Georgia State in 2013 as a research scientist. He joined the chemistry department’s faculty in 2020.
Recipients of the Dean’s Early Career Award are selected based on outstanding achievements in research and teaching, as well as service contributions to Georgia State.
Li said he is grateful to be recognized.
"I wish to extend my profound appreciation for the steadfast support from Georgia State, the College of Arts & Sciences, and my department, " Li said. "This award is a testament to our collective teamwork, and I am also indebted to my fellow researchers and students for their unwavering dedication and hard work, which have been instrumental in our discoveries and innovative pursuits."
Giovanni Gadda, chair of the Department of Chemistry, said Li deserves this recognition.
“I am thrilled that Dr. Lei Li is being recognized with a Dean’s Early Career Award, not only because Lei is a colleague in my department but because of the scientific questions he addresses at the interface of the chemistry and biology of carbohydrates and microbial glycobiology, which present numerous challenges at a molecular level,” said Gadda.
The award is funded by private contributions from members of the college’s Board of Visitors and other donors to support rising stars among the faculty. As part of their recognition, recipients are provided $3,000 in professional development funds.
Learn more about the Dean's Early Career Award at cas.gsu.edu/deans-early-career-award. You may give to the endowment at giving.gsu.edu/020370. To see even more ways donor support is making a meaningful difference at Georgia State, visit giving.gsu.edu.
The other 2024 recipient is Juan S. Piñeros Glasscock, Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Read his story here.