Rate My Professor Song Li

Li specializes in cell and tissue engineering, mechanobiology, biomaterials, and immunoengineering through his direction of the Song Li Lab. His research advances stem cell therapies for heart and neuromuscular regeneration, immunoengineering for cancer and diabetes, mechano-epigenetic control of cell fate, and innovative biomaterials and microdevices. Having mentored over 45 Ph.D. students, Li’s impact is evidenced by highly cited works such as “The effect of matrix stiffness on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in response to TGF-β” (Biomaterials, 2011), “Nanoparticle delivery of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein and donor DNA in vivo induces homology-directed DNA repair” (Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2017), and “Biophysical regulation of epigenetic state and cell reprogramming” (Nature Materials, 2013). Awards include the UCLA Chancellor Professorship (2015), fellowships from AIMBE, BMES, and IAMBE (2014), Shu Chien Lecture (2018), and BMES National Conference Chair (2016). He has edited three books, served on four editorial boards, chaired conferences, and advised internationally, currently holding positions on the AIMBE board (2024-2026) and formerly directing the Bioengineering Institute of California (2022-2025).