Li Lai, PhD
April 1, 2026
Assistant Professor
Cardiovascular Sciences
Houston Methodist Research Institute
Primary Research:
Ischemic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of disability, morbidity, and mortality globally. The ability to restore or enhance the microvasculature would be a major advancement in regenerative medicine and cardiovascular therapies. Our lab uses a unique multidisciplinary approach to study molecular mechanisms driving cardiovascular diseases, including peripheral artery disease and heart failure. We combine multiple approaches, including in vitro and animal models, and an in vivo CRISPR-Cas9-based screening platform coupled with the lineage tracing approach.
Laboratory web site URL:
https://scholars.houstonmethodist.org/en/persons/li-lai/
Recent Presentations:
2026 Frontiers in Cardiovascular Research, Honolulu, Hawaii
2025 University of Texas McGovern Medical School Center for Metabolic and Degenerative Diseases Seminar Series, Houston, TX
2024 The 6th Annual Gulf Coast Vascular Research Consortium Meeting, Houston, TX
2024 The 8th Cardiovascular Bioengineering Symposium, Houston, TX
2023 American Heart Association Scientific Session, Philadelphia, PA
2023 NIH Progenitor Cell Translational Consortium Cardiovascular Bioengineering Symposium, Kyoto, Japan
2023 NHLBI Celebration of Progenitor Cell Research and Translation meeting, Bethesda, MD
2022 NAVBO Annual Meeting, Oakland, CA