Professor Li Qiang

Contact Information

Email: qiang@pku.edu.cn

Phone: 010-82085379

Address: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China

ORCID: 0000-0001-8322-1797

Research Focus

Metabolic diseases, aging, immunometabolism, and adipose tissue biology.

Biography

Professor Li Qiang is a distinguished researcher and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology at Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences. He returned to PKU in 2024 after nearly a decade as a tenured faculty member at Columbia University, where he rose from Assistant to Associate Professor. His research program is internationally recognized for pioneering work on the role of post-translational modifications (particularly acetylation) of key metabolic regulators like PPARγ in obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and aging. His recent groundbreaking work identified immunoglobulin G (IgG) as a novel aging factor linking immune system changes to metabolic decline.

Prof. Qiang’s contributions are evidenced by a strong publication record in top-tier journals (Cell, Cell Metabolism, Nature Nanotechnology, JCI), continuous NIH/NSFC grant funding, and extensive leadership in international scientific societies. He is also a dedicated mentor, having successfully trained numerous postdocs, PhD students, and undergraduates, many of whom have moved on to prestigious positions.

Education & Career Profile

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Boston University School of Medicine, USA (2007)

B.S. in Biotechnology, Peking University, China (2001)

Professor & Chair, Dept. of Pharmacology, Peking University (2024 – Present)

Associate Professor (with tenure), Columbia University (2015 – 2024)

Director, Peking University Aging Research Center (2025 – Present)

Research Support

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (PI, 2024-2029)

Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases - National S&T Major Project (Leading PI, 2024-2028)

NIH R01 DK134471 (PI, 2023-2027)

NIH R01 DK128848 (co-PI, 2021-2026)

NIH R01 DK112943 (PI, 2017-2022)

NIH K99/R00 DK97455 (PI, 2013-2018)

Mentorship

Prof. Qiang is committed to fostering the next generation of scientists. He has served as primary mentor for:

Postdoctoral Fellows: 8 scientists, now holding positions in academia and industry globally.

Ph.D. Students: Supervised multiple candidates at Columbia and PKU, with recipients of prestigious awards (AHA, NIH F31).

Undergraduates & High School Students: Mentored over 15 young researchers, with trainees admitted to top programs (e.g., Stanford Medical School, Harvard) and recognized in national competitions (Regeneron STS).

Professional Service

Editorial Board: Journal of Lipid Research, BMC Medicine, former Associate Editor for Diabetes and Science Bulletin.

Society Leadership: Elected Board Member of the International Bone Marrow Adiposity Society and the Chinese American Diabetes Association.

Grant Review: Serves on review panels for NIH (USA), NSFC (China), and international foundations.