As a biomedical engineer working in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, Dr Jiao Jiao Li (JJ) envisions a future where stem cells and bioactive materials can be ‘personalised’ to provide optimal treatments for major diseases. Leading a research team in biomedical engineering, she is currently developing regenerative therapies for bone and joint disorders, turning medical discoveries into new therapies for patients.
JJ is also a leader and enabler in STEM engagement and career building for others, particularly under-represented groups. She loves working with people from around the world with different backgrounds, skills and experiences to jointly solve medical challenges, and passing on the passion of creating STEM solutions to the next generation.
JJ’s work has attracted a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) fellowship, an Endeavour Fellowship, best research awards from international (TERMIS) and national societies (ASMR, ANZORS, MBSANZ, AWTRS), and >30 awards for her publications and conference presentations. She was winner of the Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science in 2024; female winner of the Metcalf Prize for Stem Cell Research in 2023 (with live interview on ABC News Breakfast); NSW Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year & Premier’s Prize for NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Physical Sciences) in 2022; and the Australian winner of Falling Walls Lab in 2021. She was also a chief investigator and Co-Deputy Director on the Australian Research Council Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering. JJ is passionate about promoting STEM to the public community, which is further enabled by her roles at Science & Technology Australia as Board Director, Chair of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and a 2021-22 Superstar of STEM.
JJ was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW (FRSN) in 2023, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) in 2024.
JJ is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Kolling Institute/Faculty of Medicine and Health, and at the School of Biomedical Engineering/Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney, as well as Honorary Affiliate at the Woolcock Institute for Medical Research.