Name：Weifen Li

Position：Assistant Professor

E-mail：liweifen@szu.edu.cn

Personal Statement:

Weifen Li, Ph.D., is a female researcher who earned her doctorate from Peking University in June 2022. Weifen Li subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School/Union Shenzhen Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2022 to June 2024. Weifen Li joined the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Shenzhen University in July 2024.

Her primary research focuses on investigating the pathogenesis of depression and neuropharmacological intervention mechanisms. Dr. Li was honored as a 2023 Shenzhen Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow.

Research Interests:

Mechanistic studies of antidepressant drugs 

Mechanistic studies of depression 

Research Projects:

1. NSFC (China) Project: 01/01/2024 to 12/31/2026  ￥300,000

Selected Peer-reviewed Publications:

1. Li W, Ali T, Zheng C, He K, Liu Z, Shah FA, Li N, Yu ZJ, Li S. Anti-depressive-like behaviors of APN KO mice involve Trkb/BDNF signaling related neuroinflammatory changes. Molecular Psychiatry. 2022 Feb;27(2):1047-1058.

2. Li W, Ali T, He K, Liu Z, Shah FA, Ren Q, Liu Y, Jiang A, Li S. Ibrutinib alleviates LPS-induced neuroinflammation and synaptic defects in a mouse model of depression. Brain Behavior and Immunity. 2021 Feb;92:10-24.

3.  Li W, Ali T, Zheng C, Liu Z, He K, Shah FA, Ren Q, Rahman SU, Li N, Yu ZJ, Li S. Fluoxetine regulates eEF2 activity (phosphorylation) via HDAC1 inhibitory mechanism in an LPS-induced mouse model of depression. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2021 Feb 1;18(1):38.

4. Li W, Ali T, Mou S, Gong Q, Li N, Hao L, Yu ZJ, Li S. D1R-5-HT2AR Uncoupling Reduces Depressive Behaviours via HDAC Signalling. Neurotherapeutics. 2023 Oct 2.

5. Li W#*, Luo Y#, Ali T#, Huang Y, Yu ZJ*, Hao L*, Li S*. Hsp60 deletion in cholinergic neurons: Impact on neuroinflammation and memory. International Immunopharmacology. 2024 Aug 30.