Lei Li

Education

Ph.D., Molecular Genetics and Neurobiology, Georgia State University

B.S., Zoology, Shandong University

Research Interests

Animal behavior, multi-sensory information integration, circadian vision

Using zebrafish models, we study the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive brain functions, such as learning, problem solving, and decision making. We also examine the roles of cross-modal sensory integration, such as the combination of olfactory signals in the neural retinal, in modulation of behavioral visual sensitivity. In addition, we are interested in elucidating the mechanisms that control the circadian rhythms of eye functions.

Publications

Research Articles

Liu C, Yue S, Solarz J, Lee J, Li L (2021) Improving the sexual activity and reproduction of female zebrafish with high testosterone Scientific Reports 11:3822.

Banerjee S, Scheirer WJ, Li L (2019) An extreme value theory model of cross-modal sensory information integration in modulation of vertebrate visual system functions. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience 13:3.

Li L, Wojtowicz JL, Malin JH, Huang T, Lee JB, Chen ZJ (2017) GnRH-mediated olfactory and visual inputs promote mating-like behaviors in male zebrafish. PLoS ONE 12:e0174143.

Li L, Sahi SK, Peng M, Lee EB, Ma L, Wojtowicz JL, Malin JH, Chen W (2016) Luminescence- and nanoparticle-mediated increase of visual sensitivity: Converting UV light to visible light.Scientific Reports 6:20821.

Li L, Carr AL, Sun L, Drewing A, Lee JB, Rao ZH (2015) A novel function of the human oncogene Stil: Regulation of PC12 cell toxic susceptibility through the Shh pathway. Scientific Reports 5:16513.

Review Articles

Li L (2019) Sensory integration: Cross-modal communication between the olfactory and visual systems in zebrafish. Chemical Senses 44, 351-356.

Li L (2019) Circadian vision in zebrafish: from molecule to cell and from neural network to behavior. Journal of Biological Rhythms 34, 451-462.

Li L, Liu C, Carr AL (2019) STIL: A multi-function protein for dopaminergic neural proliferation, protection, and regeneration. Cell Death Discovery 5:90.