Profile
The work of Rong Li, PhD, focuses on the uterus’ central role in women’s health and how steroid regulation affects uterine biology. She has identified critical molecules and distinct cell clusters in the uterine epithelial and stromal compartments that modulate steroid signaling. Since joining Dr. Jeong’s lab in 2022, Dr. Li has further studied endometriosis, the uterine disease that is mainly characterized by progesterone resistance and estrogen hyperactivity. Dr. Li’s has published multiple papers about uterine biology in peer-reviewed journals, such as Nature Communication, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, iScience, and others. She also reviews papers for multiple journals in the reproductive field. Currently, she is a member of the review board for Endocrinology. Dr. Li has received the SRI and Bayer Discovery/Innovation Grant and a pilot grant from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health at the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
Academic Information
Office
1030 Hitt St
Columbia, MO 65212
United States
Research Interests
- Transcription factor activity in regulating uterine biology during embryo implantation
- The underlying mechanism of endometriosis associated uterine defects
Areas of Expertise
- Uterine biology
- Transcription factor regulation;
- Uterine receptivity during endometriosis.
Education & Training
Degrees
2016 PhD, Univeristy of Georgia
Fellowship
2016-2022 National Institute of Environmental Health
Publications
- Li, R., Wang, T., Shelp-Peck, E., Wu, S., DeMayo, F.J.
(2022) The single cell atlas of cultured human endometrial stromal cells.
Fertility & Sterility Science. (PMID: 36089208) - Li, R., Wang, T., Xu X., Emery, O.M., Yi, M., Wu, S., DeMayo, F.J.
(2022) Spatial Transcriptomic Profiles of Mouse Uterine Microenvironments at Pregnancy Day 7.5.
Biology of Reproduction, 00, 1-17 (PMID: 35357464) - Li, R., Wang, X., Huang, Z., Balaji J, Kim, TH, Wang, T., Zhou, L., Wu, S., Deleon, A., Cook, M.E., Marbrey, M.W., Jeong J.W., Arora R., DeMayo, F.J
(2021) The role of epithelial progesterone receptor isoforms in embryo implantation.
iScience 24, 103487 (PMID: 34934913) - Peavey, M.C., Wu, S., Li, R., Liu, J., Emery, O.M., Wang, T., Zhou L., Wetendorf, M., Yallampalli, C., Gibbons W.E., Lydon J.P., DeMayo, F.J.
(2021) Progesterone receptor isoform B regulates the Oxtr-Plcl2-Trpc3 pathway to suppress uterine contractility.
(2021) PNAS, 118(11):e2011643118 (PMID: 33707208) - Wetendorf, M.*, Li, R.*, Wu, S., Liu, J., Creighton C.J., Wang, T., Janardhan, K.S., Willson, C.J., Lanz, R.B., Murphy, B.D., Lydon, J.P., and DeMayo, F.J.
(2020) Constitutive expression of progesterone receptor isoforms promotes the development of hormone-dependent ovarian neoplasms
Science Signaling, 13 (652): 9646 (PMID: 33023986) - Li, R., Wu, S., Zhou L., Nicol B., Lydon, J.P., Yao H., DeMayo, F.J.
(2020) Increased FOXL2 expression alters uterine structures and functions
Biology of Reproduction, 103(5):951-965 (PMID: 32948877)