Ji-Yao Li, Ph.D. is a Research Investigator with the Section of General Surgery. Dr. Li received his bachelor's degree in Biology from Shandong Normal University in Jinan, P.R. China and his masters and Ph.D. in Physiology from Beijing Medical University in Beijing, P.R. China. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1992, Dr. Li continued at Beijing Medical University as a Lecturer in Physiology and in 1993, became an Associate Professor of Physiology.

Dr. Li joined the faculty of the Section of General Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, in 1998. His research focus is on the role of melanocortin receptors and agouti-related protein on feeding behavior and obesity. Dr. Li's additional research interests are the screening of genes that are related to feeding behavior and obesity by oligonucleotide microarray (gene chips).