Dean Y. Li MD, PhD

Dr. Li is Associate Vice President for Research and Chief Scientific Officer for University of Utah Health Sciences, and Vice Dean for Research for the School of Medicine. Dr. Li is responsible for oversight of the research enterprise in the health sciences, including development and realization of a strategic plan for research. As Chief Scientific Officer, he is responsible for coordinating and maximizing the University’s health system investment in translational, clinical, and health care research leading to new treatments and health system innovations for patients. Dr. Li is also Acting Chair of the Physiology Department.

Dr. Li is a distinguished scientist and internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research in vascular development and disease. His work includes studies of angiogenesis, a hallmark of most cancer, and characterization of a metastasis pathway in melanoma. In addition, Dr. Li practices general cardiology and ICU medicine, diagnosing and treating patients at the Veterans Hospital. He is the HA and Edna Benning Endowed Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the Molecular Medicine Program and School of Medicine MD/PhD Program. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Human Genetics and Adjunct Professor of Oncological Sciences. Dr. Li is the recipient of multiple honors, including the Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association and the Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Medicine from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation. Dr. Li has served as a reviewer for the AHA and for several NIH study sections. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. He is the author of multiple manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals, including Science and Nature. Dr. Li is a current member of the AHA and NAVBO, co-founder of Hydra Biosciences, and founder of Navigen. Dr. Li’s broad experience and expertise in bench science, clinical medicine and biotechnology, combined with his success as a leader and mentor, enable him to have a major impact on the University’s health sciences mission to advance science and translate discoveries into clinical applications and better health care for patients. Dr. Li received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and his graduate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis.