Jia Hui Li

Life scientist and emerging entrepreneur motivated to help turn excellent research into successful, impactful ventures. With 10+ years of interdisciplinary research experience, hands-on startup co-founding experience, and a strong track record in project coordination and community building, I bring a first-hand understanding of researchers and the challenges of moving from scientific ideas to practical outcomes. Experienced in coordinating people and projects, evaluating scientific evidence, securing research funding, and building collaborative networks.

Particularly motivated to strengthen the life science startup ecosystem and help more researchers, including women, pursue their entrepreneurial potential.

Co-founder | Early-stage biotech-inspired skincare startup (2026 – Present)

• Co-developing a startup deriving active compounds from biotechnology for skincare products
• Currently developing the financial plan for the first four years to obtain startup funding
• Conducting market research and product development to translate into a viable consumer product
• Working closely with former colleague on the business concept, maintaining momentum

Postdoctoral Researcher at European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) (2021 – 2025) Diz-Muñoz & Trivedi Labs

• Planned and coordinated interdisciplinary research project from concept development and funding acquisition through execution, analysis and interpretation
• Prepared applications for five funding programs, securing a three-year postdoctoral fellowship and a 15,500€ Joachim Herz Foundation Add-on Fellowship
• Managed the 15,500€ fellowship budget including expenditure planning and reporting • Coordinated collaboration across laboratories and countries
• Optimized workflows in the lab and implemented the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), leading to Bronze and Silver certification

Postdoc Representative at EMBL Heidelberg (2022 – 2025)

• Coordinated communication between the postdoc community, Postdoc Office, management and other stakeholders, translating community needs into action
• Main organizer of the EMBL Postdoc Retreat 2023 (program design, communication, logistics, stakeholder coordination, follow-up) and co-organizer of the 2022 retreat
• Organized recurring Postdoc Coffee events with invited guests for professional networking and exchange
• Coordination and moderation of the postdoc feedback session during a unit review by the Scientific Advisory Committee
• Organized a sustainability seminar in collaboration with EMBL’s Sustainability Office

PhD Researcher at Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biochemistry (2015 – 2021) Ewers Lab

• Planned and executed interdisciplinary research projects
• Moving and setting up of the Ewers laboratory in Berlin, development and implementation of standard operating procedures
• Organization of team building events

Doctorate – Freie Universität Berlin (2015 – 2021)

MSc in Biochemistry – Freie Universität Berlin (2013 – 2015)

BSc in Biochemistry – Freie Universität Berlin (2009 – 2013)