Yafeng Li, Ph.D., an Assistant Instructor in CRI’s Agathocleous Lab, was one of 5 recipients of the American Society of Hematology’s 2024 Fellow to Faculty Scholar Award, which recognizes and supports junior hematology investigators as they transition to independent positions.
Yafeng Li, Ph.D., Assistant Instructor in Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern
Dr. Li will use her ASH award to generate a cell-type specific nutrient-utilization map of the blood-forming system, which could help scientists further understand how to regulate blood-forming cell function by manipulating their nutrient choices.
“Just like we prefer to eat specific types of foods, different types of cells may also have their own nutrient preferences. Since blood-forming stem cells and progenitor cells in the bone marrow produce all the blood cells in the body, their dysfunction can contribute to diseases,” Dr. Li said. “Examining how these cells utilize and metabolize nutrients will enhance our understanding of their biology and offer valuable insights for maintaining blood health and treating blood-related diseases.”
During her time at CRI, Dr. Li, an analytical chemist, has developed techniques that allow ultrasensitive measurement of metabolites in rare cell types and their microenvironment. Her prior research has shown each type of blood-forming cell has distinct nutrient preferences. She is also defining the in vivo roles of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the major nutrient catabolism pathway in cells.
