Our Team

Dr. “Tristan” Qingyun Li obtained his PhD from Duke University, where he studied the molecular mechanisms governing neuronal diversification in the sensory system. He then pursued postdoctoral training under the late Dr. Ben Barres and subsequently with Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray at Stanford University. During this time, he developed a keen interest in understanding the heterogeneity and function of microglial cells in the brain. He authored one of the most highly cited review articles on microglia and brain macrophages (Li et al. Nature Reviews Immunology. 2018). His work employing an unbiased deep single-cell RNA sequencing approach to dissect transcriptomic states of brain immune cells has contributed to benchmarking the current framework of microglial heterogeneity in the developing and aging brain (Li et al. Neuron. 2019. Tabula Muris Consortium. Nature.2018. Tabula Muris Consortium. Nature. 2020). Dr. Li started his own lab as an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Genetics at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine in 2020. He is also affiliated with the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, the Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) Center, and the Center of Regenerative Medicine. For a complete biography, read here.

Samson Sun is the lab manager of Tristan Li’s Lab. He is from Shenyang, China, and received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Tourism Management from Shenyang Normal University. He received his EdD degree from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis in 2020. He likes to explore new fields and research methods. Outside of the lab, he enjoys hiking, gardening, traveling, and cooking. He is also the father of two cats.

Jin Yang is now a postdoc in Tristan Li’s Lab. He got the B.Sc. degree in Pharmacy from Nanjing Medical University (China) in 2017. Then he got the MD. PhD. Degree in Pharmacology from Nanjing Medical University (China) in 2022. He joined Li Lab in July of 2022. He has broad interests in the roles of microglia and macrophages in neuro-immune interactions in development and disease. Outside of lab, he likes swimming, tennis, cooking and travelling. He also has a cute cat called Mason.

Kia Barclay (she/her/hers) is graduate student in the Neuroscience Program at Washington University in St. Louis. She is originally from Chicago, IL and received her Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College. Her thesis work focuses on understanding microglia biology in white matter diseases. Outside of the lab, Kia enjoys teaching scientific topics to the local St. Louis community, running, and doing DIY projects around her home.

Dvita is a research technician in the Li lab. They grew up in India and Oman. They graduated from Swarthmore College with a B.A in Neuroscience and minor in Creative Writing, where their thesis project evaluated the impact of ambivalence on individuals with high-trait anxiety. Currently, their work focuses on microglial plasticity and state change through longterm tracking of developmental microglia into aging and disease, specifically Alzheimer’s disease. They are a a creative writer who enjoys experimenting and merging different forms to translate their life experiences. In their free time, they are a volunteer peer counsellor for LGBTQIA+ individuals and enjoy being curled up on the couch, reading or watching silly TV shows with their cat.

Darsh is an undergraduate senior at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in chemistry and on the pre-medicine track. He is interested in the cellular mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases and is particularly excited by the Li Lab’s focus on microglial plasticity and manipulating them with novel mouse lines. Outside of lab, Darsh enjoys reading sci-fi novels, running, and volunteering with community outreach organizations in St. Louis.

My name is Vikram and I am from Tinley Park, Illinois. I am an undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience and plan on pursuing an MD or MD/PhD. Some organizations I am involved in outside of the lab are Synapse, Phi Delta Epsilon, MedEd, and Campus YMCA.

Melanie Cruz Berrios is a rotation graduate student in the Neuroscience Program at Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico. She is interested in how microglia are impacted by aging and Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of the lab, Melanie likes to go to the gym, travel, and cook. She is also a Dog mom of two. 

Xukai is now a visiting researcher at Li Lab. He is going to get a bachelor’s degree in Preventive Medicine from Zhejiang University in 2025. He is interested in what macrophages, especially microglia do in a homeostatic state and under disease, except from those traditional functions. In his daily life, he likes to go swimming and take photographs.

Jingyi (Peter) Yang is a graduate student in the Immunology Program at Washington University in St. Louis. Originally from China, Jingyi completed his Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Davis and Master’s degree from University of Pennsylvania. Right now he’s rotating in Li lab and has a broad interest in the origin and plasticity of microglia both in homeostatic and disease settings. Outside of the lab, Jingyi enjoys swimming, reading, and skydiving.