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Kun Li Ph.D.

Associate Professor

2003-2008 Jilin University, China／B.S.
2008-2014 Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China／Ph.D.
2014-8/2020 The Rockefeller University, USA／Postdoctoral Fellow
9/2020-present School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, China／ Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
9/2020-present Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, China／Principle Investigator

● Research interest：

Gender differences prevail in not only normal social and emotional responses, but also the incidence of mental disorders. The neuronal mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism are still poorly understood. Our research interests are focused on understanding how sex differences in the brain from molecules to circuits contribute to gender differences in behaviors. We use pathway-specific and activity-dependent Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) techniques, combined with other complementary RNA sequencing, optogenetics, electrophysiology and calcium imaging approaches to identify the neural basis for sexually bivalent behaviors.

● Selected publications：

1. Antolin-Fontes B, Li K, Ables JL, Riad MH, Görlich A, Williams M, Wang C, Lipford SM, Dao M, Liu J, Molina H, Heintz N, Kenny PJ, Ibañez-Tallon I. The habenular G-protein-coupled receptor 151 regulates synaptic plasticity and nicotine intake. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Mar 10;117(10):5502-5509. (2020)

2.Li K, Nakajima M, Ibañez-Tallon I, Heintz N. A Cortical Circuit for Sexually Dimorphic Oxytocin-Dependent Anxiety Behaviors. Cell. Sep 22;167(1):60-72.e11. (2016)

3.Li K*, Zhou T*, Liao L, Yang Z, Wong C, Henn F, Malinow R , Yates J, Hu H. βCaMKII in lateral habenula mediates core symptoms of depression. Science 341:1016-1020. (2013) (*co-the first author)

4.Zhao CT, Li K, Li JT, Zheng W, Liang XJ, Geng AQ, Li N, Yuan XB. PKCδ regulates cortical radial migration by stabilizing the Cdk5 activator p35. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 106(50):21353-8. (2009)

● Award：

1. Leon Levy neuroscience fellowship (2018-2020)
2. Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral fellowship (2015-2018)
3. Tianqiao&Chrissy Chen Fellowship (2018)
4. The Ray Wu Prize. (2014)
5. The Meiji Life Science Award. (2013)

● Contact information：

Tel: 010-62799528

E-mail： kli@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn