ABOUT ME
Dr. Mi Li earned his doctorate in Wood Science from Auburn University in 2014 and his B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering of Forestry Bioproducts and Biomaterials from Northeast Forestry University in China in 2004 and 2009, respectively. After graduation with his PhD, Dr. Li joined the US DOE-funded BioEnergy Science Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and The University of Tennessee Knoxville as a post-doctoral research fellow. He primarily worked on lignocellulose (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) fractionation, chemistry, and characterization for bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts development. In 2020, Dr. Li joined CRC at The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture as an assistant professor. He is interested in lignocellulose chemistry, fractionation, and chemical modification to develop high-value chemicals and high-performance materials for green chemistry, a clean environment, and circular carbon.
EDUCATION
2010 - 2014 Ph.D., Wood Science, Auburn University
2006 - 2009 M.S., Chemical Engineering, Northeast Forestry University
2000 - 2004 B.S., Chemical Engineering, Northeast Forestry University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
2020 - Present Assistant Professor, The University of Tennesee
2018 - 2019 Post-doctoral Research Fellow, The University of Tennessee
2015 - 2017 Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
2010 - 2014 Ph.D. Research Assistant, Auburn University
2007 - 2010 Provost Assistant, Northeast Forestry University (China)
2004 - 2007 Associate Dean Assistant, Northeast Forestry University (China)
ACADEMIC MEMBERSHIP
2018-present, member of American Chemical Society
2016-present, member of Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
2016-2019, member of National Postdoctoral Association
2014-2015, member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
2012-2014, member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers
2011-2014, member of Forest Products Society
AWARDS AND HONORS
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., School of Forestry & Wildlife Science, Auburn University
02/2014 Merriwether Award of School of Forestry and 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
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The goal of my research is to reduce carbon footprint (CO2) to our globe by using renewable feedstock and green chemistry technology. The establishment of circular carbon and circular bio-economy can significantly address energy security, environmental pollutions, and human health. My research centers on the fractionation, chemical modification, functionalization, nanotechnology, and 3D printing of precursors derived from lignocellulosic feedstock. Our research group welcomes an array of expertise in wood science, chemistry, polymer science, and chemical engineering etc.
Sustainable Fractionation
Develop innovative and cost-effective fractionation technologies of lignocellulosic materials for the isolation of biopolymers, e.g., cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, pectin, extractives, and etc.
Lignocellulose-based polymers and materials
Design and synthesis of plastics, functional and intelligent materials from sustainable lignocellulose feedstock via chemical modification, co-polymerization, and functionalization.
Nanotechnology and Additive Manufacturing
Combine nanotechnology (nano-cellulose and nano-lignin) and additive manufacturing (3D printing), manipulating the feature of nanomaterials and multi-layer architecture design, respectively, for the production of smart materials for innovative applications.