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Kun Li Ph.D.

Associate Professor

2003-2008 Jilin University, China／B.S.
2008-2014 Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China／Ph.D.
2014-8/2020 The Rockefeller University, USA／Postdoctoral Fellow
9/2020-present School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, China／ Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
9/2020-present Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Science, Tsinghua University, ／Principle Investigator

● Research interest：

Our research focuses on the neural mechanisms of emotion and social behaviors. We aim to understand how the brain integrates internal physiological and emotional states with external social information to shape adaptive and maladaptive behavioral strategies. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines animal models, human studies, cognitive psychology, in vivo neural recording, circuit manipulation, computational neuroscience, AI-based modeling, and RNA sequencing, we investigate the fundamental principles underlying sex differences, individual variability in social behaviors, and social dysfunction across psychiatric disorders. Ultimately, our goal is to develop new precision strategies for intervening in abnormal emotional states and social behavioral deficits.

● Selected publications：

1. Wang Y*, Song X*, Chen XM*, Zhou Y*, Ma JH*, Zhang F*, Wei LQ*, Qi GX, Yadav N, Miao BJ, Yan YM, Yuan GH, Mi D, Rajasethupathy P, Ibañez-Tallon I, Jia XX, Heintz N^# and Li K^#. Integrating reproductive states and social cues in the control of sociosexual behaviors. Cell. 188, 3530-3549. (2025)

2. Gao YX, Xin FY, Wang T, Shao CJ, Hu Y, Chen ZY, Wang YW, Xie FH, Li TY, Li SJ, Ren LQ, Li CQ, Yang X, Yang ZJ, Li MJ, Tan KM, Bai T, Wei CW, Peng HC, Li K, Jia YC, Yuan KX. VIVIT: Resolving trans-scale volumetric biological architectures via ionic glassy tissue. Cell. 188, 1-17. (2025)

3. Wang YW, You L, Tan KM, Li MJ, Zou JS, Zhao ZF, Hu WX, Li TY, Xie FH, Li CQ, Yuan RZ, Ding K, Cao LW, Xin FY, Shang CP, Liu MM, Gao YX, Wei LQ, You ZW, Gao XR, Xiong W, Cao P, Luo MM, Chen F, Li K, Wu JM, Hong B, Yuan KX. A common thalamic hub for general and defensive arousal control. Neuron. Oct 18;111(20):3270-3287. (2023).

4. Antolin-Fontes B, Li K, Ables JL, Riad MH, Görlich A, Williams M, Wang C, Lipford SM, Dao M, Liu J, Molina H, Heintz N, Kenny PJ, Ibañez-Tallon I. The habenular G-protein-coupled receptor 151 regulates synaptic plasticity and nicotine intake. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Mar 10;117(10):5502-5509. (2020)

5. Li K, Nakajima M, Ibañez-Tallon I, Heintz N. A Cortical Circuit for Sexually Dimorphic Oxytocin-Dependent Anxiety Behaviors. Cell. Sep 22;167(1):60-72.e11. (2016)

6. Li K*, Zhou T*, Liao L, Yang Z, Wong C, Henn F, Malinow R, Yates J, Hu H. βCaMKII in lateral habenula mediates core symptoms of depression. Science. 341:1016-1020. (2013)

7. Zhao CT, Li K, Li JT, Zheng W, Liang XJ, Geng AQ, Li N, Yuan XB. PKCδ regulates cortical radial migration by stabilizing the Cdk5 activator p35. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 106(50):21353-8. (2009)

● Award：

1. State Natural Science Award of China (2024)[second prize] (second contributor)
2. Leon Levy neuroscience fellowship (2018-2020)
3. Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral fellowship (2015-2018)
4. Tianqiao&Chrissy Chen Fellowship (2018)
5. The Ray Wu Prize. (2014)
6. The Meiji Life Science Award. (2013)

● Contact information：

Office: B103, Biomedicine Hall, Tsinghua University, Beijing,10084

Lab: B110, Biomedicine Hall, Tsinghua University, Beijing,10084

Phone: +86 10 62799528 (office); +86 10 62793587 (Lab)