Dunhui Li, PhD

Dr. Li was recruited to the Adams Center from the Perron Institute in Australia in 2025. He is a Junior Faculty and Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Neurology and Stephen & Denise Adams Center for Parkinson’s Disease Research, Yale School of Medicine.

Dr. Li completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and postgraduate medical training in Parkinson’s disease in China from 2008-2016. He then moved into the molecular genetics and therapeutics field in Australia. Under the supervision of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy pioneers Professors Steve Wilton and Sue Fletcher, who co-developed three FDA approved antisense drugs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Dr. Li’s PhD (2016-2021) focused on developing antisense oligonucleotide treatments for neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease. One of Dr. Li’s projects led to an US patent application (US20230081388A1) which is licensed to Perron Institute and Black Swan Pharmaceuticals, Australia, with the aim of creating a unique genetic therapy for Parkinson’s.

Building on his extensive experience in antisense oligonucleotides, Dr. Li joined Adams Center, Yale School of Medicine in November 2024 and is leading efforts to develop precise and effective therapies for Parkinson’s disease.