Principal Investigator
Dr. Mi Li Assistant Professor
Biorefinery & Sustainable Materials
Ph.D. in Wood Science
Center for Renewable Carbon (CRC)
School of Natural Resources
- 2020-present Assistant Professor University of Tennessee
- 2015-2019 Post-doctoral Fellow Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- 2010-2014 PhD, Wood Chemistry Auburn University
- 2004-2010 Lecturer & Admin Northeast Forestry University, China
- 2007-2009 MS, Chemical Eng. Northeast Forestry University, China
- 2000-2004 BS, Chemical Eng. Northeast Forestry University, China
AWARDS AND HONORS
- 06/2021 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
- 09/2017 Distinguished Achievement Award, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- 07/2017 Research highlighted in the Office of Sciences Webpage of the US DOE
- 12/2014 Research featured in the cover page of Auburn University Graduate School Magazine
- 03/2014 Outstanding International Graduate Student Award, Auburn University
- 02/2014 Drummond Award for Outstanding Ph.D., Auburn University
- 02/2014 Merriwether Award, School of Forestry & Wildlife Science, Auburn University
- 11/2013 Outstanding Three Minute Thesis Presentation, Auburn University
- 03/2013 Outstanding Oral Presentation, Graduate Scholars Forum, Auburn University
- 07/2008 Distinguished Paper Award, China Society of Forestry
- 04/2004 Outstanding Undergraduate Award, Northeast Forestry University, China
Post-graduate Researchers
Mastaneh Shokri (Fall 2023)
- B.S. Razi University
- M.S. Azad University of Sanandaj
- Research Specialist
Graduate Students
Kailong Zhang (Fall 2021)
- B.S., Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University
- M.S., Cereals, Oils and Plant Protein Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University
- PhD project: Cellulose-based functional materials
Mastaneh Shokri (Fall 2024)
- B.S., Chemistry, Razi University
- M.S., Medicinal Chemistry, Azad University of Sanandaj
- PhD project: Synthesis of bioderived (co-)polymers
You Wang (Fall 2024)
- B.S., Chemical Engineering of Bioproducts, Northeast Forestry University
- M.S., Chemical Engineering of Bioproducts, Northeast Forestry University
- PhD project: Lignin-based functional materials
Undergraduate Students
Ryan Baskette (2023)
- Major: Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, UTK
Charley Cross (2024)
- Major: Chemistry, Jackson State University
Visiting Scholars
Dr. Yangmei Chen (2024)
- Associate Professor
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, China
- Research: biomass, soil remediation, emerging pollutants, and planting-breeding cycle