Dr. Joan Li is a Senior Lecturer and a Research Fellow with an established national and international reputation at The University of Queensland. She holds both an MD and a PhD, blending clinical and scientific expertise, which provides her with a unique perspective on research and education. While establishing an emerging profile in medical education, she maintains engagement in discipline-related biomedical research through collaboration and supervision.
With over seven years of teaching experience, Joan has actively engaged in face-to-face teaching in biomedical science and medicine courses, contributed to curriculum design, development, and course coordination for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. She brings her strong analytical skills and critical thinking abilities, honed through her medical and biomedical research background, to her teaching practices. Driven by a genuine passion for teaching, Joan continuously strives for excellence, with specific interests in assessment, curriculum design, development and student learning experience. She has implemented innovative teaching methods, designed diverse and inclusive curricula, created new learning activities, and fostered student engagement as learning partners, with a consistent goal of improving curriculum quality and enhancing student learning outcomes.
Leveraging her medical knowledge, extensive experience in biomedical research, and growing understanding of medical education, Joan is committed to developing medical students into critical thinkers and lifelong learners with a genuine appreciation for medical practice and medical research, enabling them to better serve an ever-changing society. Drawing upon her extensive experience in developmental biology and physiology, particularly in cardiac and renal research, Joan actively supervises higher degree research students and continues to make significant contributions to discipline-related research through publications and collaborations.
Dr. Joan Li is a versatile academic professional with a rich background in biomedical research and an emerging presence in medical education research. Her dedication to teaching and learning, combined with her impressive track record in both disciplines, makes her a valuable asset to The University of Queensland and the broader academic community.
Dr Joan Li's researches have focused on cardiac and renal disease, injury/repair process and novel theraputic approaches combining cell biology and material science. She has published high impact articles in both biomedical research and material research journals. Her research in renal stem cells has made fundamental discoveries suggesting a novel mechanism involved in postnatal renal papilla development, which not only challenged the conventional view in postnatal kidney development but also implicated the importance of this process in disease susceptibility. This work was published as a cover story and highlight of the month in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, the top ranked journal in the field of nephrology and Dr Li was invited to present a Faculty Lecture at the Annual Conference of American Society for Nephrology, the most prestige internaional conference in renal research. She has published two other papers in this area highlighting her contribution in this field. Dr Li was also invited to lead a team of guest editors developing a special issue for Frontier - Cell and Developmental Biology and subsequently joined the journal as an Associate Editor by invitation.
Conference Publication: Effective feedback and positive communication: building educational alliance
Li, Joan, McIlwain, Gillian, Bell, Tamyka and Aland, Claire (2023). Effective feedback and positive communication: building educational alliance. Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC), Singapore, Singapore, 22-28 May 2023.
Journal Article: Editorial: epithelial plasticity and complexity in development, disease and regeneration
Li, Joan, Takasato, Minoru, Xu, Qihe and Bijkerk, Roel (2023). Editorial: epithelial plasticity and complexity in development, disease and regeneration. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10 1105402, 1-2. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1105402
Conference Publication: Partnership in addressing diversity and equality in medical curriculum - Developing dermatology learning resources of skin conditions in skin of colour
Li, Joan, Amirtharajan, Sophia David, Kahler, Sam, Liu, Yuyang, Rahman, Nikita and Selvarajha, Michell (2022). Partnership in addressing diversity and equality in medical curriculum - Developing dermatology learning resources of skin conditions in skin of colour. ANZAHPE2022, Virtual, 11-13 Jul 2022.
Targeting tissue fibrosis and age-related decline in tissue function
(2019–2022) Twin Towns Services Community Foundation Limited
Targeted therapy for diabetic nephropathy using self-assembled nanoparticles
(2018–2019) Diabetes Australia Research Trust
Pericytes mediated intervertebral disc regeneration in a small animal model
Doctor Philosophy
An in vitro human iPSC-based model to decipher cellular contributions to age-related heart failure
(2023) Doctor Philosophy
Addressing delivery limitations for cardiac cell reprogramming
(2021) Doctor Philosophy
Editorial: epithelial plasticity and complexity in development, disease and regeneration
Li, Joan, Takasato, Minoru, Xu, Qihe and Bijkerk, Roel (2023). Editorial: epithelial plasticity and complexity in development, disease and regeneration. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10 1105402, 1-2. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1105402
Papadimitriou, Alexandros, Romagnani, Paola, Angelotti, Maria Lucia, Noor, Mazhar, Corcoran, Jonathan, Raby, Katie, Wilson, Patricia D., Li, Joan, Fraser, Donald, Piedagnel, Remi, Hendry, Bruce M. and Xu, Qihe (2020). Collecting duct cells show differential retinoic acid responses to acute versus chronic kidney injury stimuli. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 16683, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73099-9
The impact of prematurity on postnatal growth of different renal compartments
Li, Joan, Guandalini, Michael, Mcinnes, Helena, Kandasamy, Yogavijayan, Trnka, Peter and Moritz, Karen (2020). The impact of prematurity on postnatal growth of different renal compartments. Nephrology, 25 (2) nep.13623, 116-124. doi: 10.1111/nep.13623
Vanslambrouck, Jessica M., Woodard, Lauren E., Suhaimi, Norseha, Williams, Felisha M., Howden, Sara E., Wilson, Sean B., Lonsdale, Andrew, Er, Pei X., Li, Joan, Maksimovic, Jovana, Oshlack, Alicia, Wilson, Matthew H. and Little, Melissa H. (2019). Direct reprogramming to human nephron progenitor-like cells using inducible piggyBac transposon expression of SNAI2-EYA1-SIX1. Kidney International, 95 (5), 1153-1166. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.11.041
Lee, Junmin, Manoharan, Vijayan, Cheung, Louis, Lee, Seungkyu, Cha, Byung-Hyun, Newman, Peter, Farzad, Razieh, Mehrotra, Shreya, Zhang, Kaizhen, Khan, Fazal, Ghaderi, Masoumeh, Lin, Yi-Dong, Aftab, Saira, Mostafalu, Pooria, Miscuglio, Mario, Li, Joan, Mandal, Biman B., Hussain, Mohammad Asif, Wan, Kai-Tak, Tang, Xiaowu Shirley, Khademhosseini, Ali and Shin, Su Ryon (2019). Nanoparticle-based hybrid scaffolds for deciphering the role of multimodal cues in cardiac tissue engineering. ACS Nano, 13 (11) acsnano.9b03050, 12525-12539. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.9b03050
Walton, Sarah L., Singh, Reetu R., Little, Melissa H., Bowles, Josephine, Li, Joan and Moritz, Karen M. (2018). Prolonged prenatal hypoxia selectively disrupts collecting duct patterning and postnatal function in male mouse offspring. The Journal of Physiology, 596 (23), 5873-5889. doi: 10.1113/JP275918
Tan, Wei Sheng, Mullins, Thomas P., Flint, Melanie, Walton, Sarah L., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Carter, David A., Gandhi, Meera R., McDonald, Hayley R., Li, Joan, Moritz, Karen M., Reichelt, Melissa E. and Gallo, Linda A (2018). Modeling heart failure risk in diabetes and kidney disease: limitations and potential applications of transverse aortic constriction in high fat fed mice. American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, 314 (6), R858-R869. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00357.2017
Walton, S. L., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H., Singh, R. R., Li, J., Paravicini, T. M., Little, M. H. and Moritz, K. M. (2017). Prenatal hypoxia leads to hypertension, renal renin-angiotensin system activation and exacerbates salt-induced pathology in a sex-specific manner. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 8241, 8241. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-08365-4
Leuning, Danielle G., Reinders, Marlies E. J., Li, Joan, Peired, Anna J., Lievers, Ellen, de Boer, Hetty C., Fibbe, Willem E., Romagnani, Paola, van Kooten, Cees, Little, Melissa H., Engelse, Marten A. and Rabelink, Ton J. (2017). Clinical-grade isolated human kidney perivascular stromal cells as an organotypic cell source for kidney regenerative medicine. Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 6 (2), 405-418. doi: 10.5966/sctm.2016-0053
Li, Joan, Ariunbold, Usukhbayar, Suhaimi, Norseha, Sunn, Nana, Guo, Jinjin, McMahon, Jill A., McMahon, Andrew P. and Little, Melissa (2015). Collecting duct-derived cells display mesenchymal stem cell properties and retain selective in vitro and in vivo epithelial capacity. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 26 (1), 81-94. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2013050517
Wilkinson, Lorine, Kurniwan, Nyoman D., Phua, Yu Leng, Nguyen, Michael J., Li, Joan, Galloway, Graham J., Hashitani, Hikaru, Lang, Richard J. and Little, Melissa H. (2012). Association between congenital defects in papillary outgrowth and functional obstruction in Crim1 mutant mice. Journal of Pathology, 227 (4), 499-510. doi: 10.1002/path.4036
Pelekanos, Rebecca A., Li, Joan, Gongora, Milena, Chandrakanthan, Vashe, Scown, Janelle, Suhaimi, Norseha, Brooke, Gary, Christensen, Melinda E., Doan, Tram, Rice, Alison M., Osborne, Geoffrey W., Grimmond, Sean M., Harvey, Richard P., Atkinson, Kerry and Little, Melissa H. (2012). Comprehensive transcriptome and immunophenotype analysis of renal and cardiac MSC-like populations supports strong congruence with bone marrow MSC despite maintenance of distinct identities (vol 8, pg 58, 2012). Stem Cell Research, 9 (1), 58-58. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2012.02.003
Rae, Fiona K., Suhaimi, Norseha, Li, Joan, Nastasi, Tommaso, Slonimsky, Esfir, Rosenthal, Nadia and Little, Melissa H. (2012). Proximal tubule overexpression of a locally acting IGF isoform, Igf-1Ea, increases inflammation after ischemic injury. Growth Hormone and IGF Research, 22 (1), 6-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2011.11.002
Pelekanos, Rebecca A., Li, Joan, Gongora, Milena, Chandrakanthan, Vashe, Scown, Janelle, Suhaimi, Norseha, Gary Brooke, Christensen, Melinda E., Doan, Tram, Rice, Alison M., Osborne, Geoffrey W., Grimmond, Sean M., Harvey, Richard P., Atkinson, Kerry and Little, Melissa H. (2012). Comprehensive transcriptome and immunophenotype analysis of renal and cardiac MSC-like populations supports strong congruence with bone marrow MSC despite maintenance of distinct identities. Stem Cell Research, 8 (1), 58-73. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2011.08.003
Adult cardiac-resident MSC-like stem cells with a proepicardial origin
Chong, James J. H., Chandrakanthan, Vashe, Xaymardan, Munira, Asli, Naisana S., Li, Joan, Ahmed, Ishtiaq, Heffernan, Corey, Menon, Mary K., Scarlett, Christopher J., Rashidianfar, Amirsalar, Biben, Christine, Zoellner, Hans, Colvin, Emily K., Pimanda, John E., Biankin, Andrew V., Zhou, Bin, Pu, William T., Prall, Owen W. J. and Harvey, Richard P. (2011). Adult cardiac-resident MSC-like stem cells with a proepicardial origin. Cell Stem Cell, 9 (6), 527-540. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2011.10.002
The renal papilla: An enigma in damage and repair
Vanslambrouck, Jessica, Li, Joan and Little, Melissa H. (2011). The renal papilla: An enigma in damage and repair. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 22 (12), 2145-2147. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2011100984
Isolation of clonogenic, long-term self renewing embryonic renal stem cells
Lusis, M, Li, J, Ineson, J, Christensen, ME, Rice, A and Little, MH (2010). Isolation of clonogenic, long-term self renewing embryonic renal stem cells. Stem Cell Research, 5 (1), 23-39. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2010.03.003
Li, J., Wang, J. C., Russell, F. D. and Molenaar, P. (2005). Activation of calcineurin in human failing heart ventricle by endothelin-1, angiotensin II and urotensin II. British Journal of Pharmacology, 145 (4), 432-440. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706217
Effective feedback and positive communication: building educational alliance
Li, Joan, McIlwain, Gillian, Bell, Tamyka and Aland, Claire (2023). Effective feedback and positive communication: building educational alliance. Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference (APMEC), Singapore, Singapore, 22-28 May 2023.
Li, Joan, Amirtharajan, Sophia David, Kahler, Sam, Liu, Yuyang, Rahman, Nikita and Selvarajha, Michell (2022). Partnership in addressing diversity and equality in medical curriculum - Developing dermatology learning resources of skin conditions in skin of colour. ANZAHPE2022, Virtual, 11-13 Jul 2022.
Pillai, Suja, Li, Joan, Midwinter, Mark, Hansen, Tiffany, Hunt, Jeremy, Jeong, Keunwoo and Juracek, Kali (2021). Medical students’ learning outcomes and experience in multidisciplinary practical exam prior to and during COVID-19. IAMSE 2021, Virtual, 12-17 June 2021.
Li, Joan, Reddy, Venkat, Steele, Megan, Forster, Ashlee, Oancea, Ilulia, Midwinter, Mark, Aland, Claire, Pillai, Suja, Simpson, Peter, Babri, Saleem and Barry, Ben (2020). Designing retrospective analysis of examination items for medical students in clinical science categorisation by Bloom’s Taxonomy, clinical relevance and student perceptions. ANZAHPE2020, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 12-15 July 2020.
Targeting renal fibrosis using self-assembled nanoparticles and injectable hydrogels
Li, Joan, Xia, Bingzhao, Su, Andrew and Cooper-White, Justin (2018). Targeting renal fibrosis using self-assembled nanoparticles and injectable hydrogels. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society World Congress 2018, Kyoto, Japan, 4-7 September 2018.
Walton, S. L., Singh, R. R., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H., Li, J., Paravicini, T. M., Little, M. H. and Moritz, K. M. (2017). Prenatal Hypoxia and a Postnatal High Salt Diet Predisposes Mouse Offspring to Cardiovascular and Renal Impairments in Adulthood. 38th Annual Scientific Meeting of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, Hobart, Australia, 7-10 December 2016. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
The Impact of Prematurity on Postnatal Renal Medulla Development
Li, Joan, Guandalini, Michael, Kandasamy, Joga, Moritz, Karen M. and Trnka, Peter (2017). The Impact of Prematurity on Postnatal Renal Medulla Development. Kidney Week, American Society of Nephrology, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, October 31 - November 5 2017. United States: American Society of Nephrology.
Little, M. H., Vanslambrouck, J. M., Takasato, M., Li, J., Suhaimi, N., Er, P. X. and Chiu, H. (2015). Transcriptional reprogramming and directed diffenrentiation of pluripotent stem cells: Alternative options for regenerating kidney. Ninth Australasian Gene and Cell Therapy Society Meeting, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, April 29 – May 1 2015. Hoboken, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/jgm.2834
Li, J., Wang, J., Russell, F. D. and Molenaar, P. (2004). Activation of calcineurin in human failing heart ventricle by endothelin-1, angiotensin II and urotensin. 2004 ISHR World Congress Meeting, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 7-11 Aug, 2004. United Kingdom: Academic Press.
Activation of calcineurin in explanted human ventricle by endogenous peptides
Li, J., Russell, F. D. and Molenaar, P. (2003). Activation of calcineurin in explanted human ventricle by endogenous peptides. ASCEPT, Sydney, 30 Nov - 3 Dec, 2003. Australia: Australasian Society of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacologists & Toxicologists.
Calcineurin regulation in pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy
Li, J., Guo, H. Y., Takagi, G., Hong, C., Karoor, V. and West, M. (2003). Calcineurin regulation in pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy. 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of High-Blood-Pressure-Research-Council-of-Australia-Inc, Melbourne Australia, Nov 25-29, 2002. Carlton VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Targeting tissue fibrosis and age-related decline in tissue function
(2019–2022) Twin Towns Services Community Foundation Limited
Targeted therapy for diabetic nephropathy using self-assembled nanoparticles
(2018–2019) Diabetes Australia Research Trust
Pericytes mediated intervertebral disc regeneration in a small animal model
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
An in vitro human iPSC-based model to decipher cellular contributions to age-related heart failure
(2023) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Addressing delivery limitations for cardiac cell reprogramming
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Gestational hypoxia and programming of disease.
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: