Dr Jingjing (Jane) Li is a postdoctoral research fellow at аIJʹÙÍø’s Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, working towards advancing regenerative medicine and cell therapy.
Tell us a bit about yourself!Ìý
I’m a postdoctoral research fellow at аIJʹÙÍø’s Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, working with A/Prof Robert Nordon and specializing in organ-on-chip systems. My work integrates microfluidics and stem cell biology to recreate human developmental processes on a chip, with the goal of advancing regenerative medicine and cell therapy.
What’s your research all about, and what’s the most exciting part for you?
My research focuses on developing organ-on-chip platforms that mimic human embryonic circulation to study blood and vascular development, and engineering microbioreactor systems for scalable hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) and CAR-T manufacturing. By replicating biomechanical cues in microfluidic systems, we can better understand and control how stem cells differentiate into therapeutic cell types. The most exciting part is using these biomimetic tools to uncover developmental mechanisms and improve the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of next-generation cell therapies.
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Can you share more about your Cell Reports paper?
Our Cell Reports paper showed that mimicking blood flow on a chip enhances human blood and vascular development. From our recent CRCP project, we demonstrated that high-density microfluidic culture significantly improves lentiviral gene transduction efficiency. I’m inspired by how closely replicating nature’s design can unlock new therapeutic strategies.
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As an ECR, what’s been one of your biggest challenges, and how did you tackle it?Ìý
One of the biggest challenges has been establishing credibility in a highly interdisciplinary field. Organ-on-chip research requires fluency in biology, microfluidics and bioinformatics. I addressed this by building strong collaborations, seeking mentorship across disciplines, and continuously upskilling through engagement with scientific societies. These efforts helped me bridge knowledge gaps and gain confidence in leading complex, cross-functional projects.
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What activities keep you inspired and energised?Ìý
Mentoring students and connecting with peers in the global research community continually inspire me. Outside the lab, I enjoy swimming, playing piano, joining park runs, and participating in Toastmasters—all of which help me stay grounded, boost my confidence, and bring renewed energy and creativity to my research.