Ruili Li
PhD Student
Mannheim,BW
Summary
Clinically trained in psychiatry and currently a PhD candidate at Heidelberg University (Medical Faculty Mannheim, IZN), investigating PDE10A-related mechanisms relevant to cocaine use disorder. Brings translational expertise spanning viral manipulations, addiction-relevant behavioral assays, MATLAB-based time-resolved analysis, and molecular/histological readouts (c-Fos IF mapping; RT-qPCR), with research progress communicated via TRR/IZN and a FENS 2026 abstract submission.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
Language
Work History
PhD Student
Central Institute of Mental Health Center(ZI) Medical Faculty Mannheim (IZN), Heidelberg University
10.2024 - Current
- Research focus: Investigating the role of PDE10A in dorsal striatum in cocaine addiction.
Translate results into clear scientific outputs (figures, abstracts, posters) and iteratively strengthen interpretation based on feedback.
Scientific communication: TRR Retreat (Mar 2024) , oral presentation; IZN Retreat (July 2024), poster (The role of PDE10A in cocaine use disorder).
FENS Forum 2026 — poster (submitting): Dorsal striatal PDE10A gates cocaine seeking by biasing action control away from perseverative responding.
Research Trainee
Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH)
10.2022 - 08.2024
- Conducted cocaine addiction research using intravenous cocaine self-administration (IVSA) and a 0–3 addiction-like criteria translational rodent model.
- Performed survival surgeries including jugular catheterization and stereotaxic viral vector delivery with optical fiber implantation for fiber photometry experiments.
- Completed relevant training via lab meetings, workshops and conferences (e.g., Magendie Neurocenter Workshop 2023; EBPS 2023).
Resident Doctor
Shanghai Mental Health Center
08.2018 - 08.2022
- Supervised psychiatric care; pharmacotherapy and risk management.
- Clinical documentation and complex case discussions.
- Clinical research support; intern teaching and journal presentations.
- Outstanding Resident (Jan 2020).
Education
M.D. - Psychiatry and Mental Health
Shantou University
Shantou, China 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Medicine (B.Med.) - Psychological Medicine
Bengbu Medical College
Bengbu, China07.2015
Skills
Models: IV cocaine self-administration; 0/3-CRIT multi-symptom addiction animal model
Surgery: jugular catheterization; stereotaxic viral delivery; optical fiber implantation
Molecular & histology: c-Fos immunofluorescence (IF) staining and atlas-/ROI-based quantification (Fiji/ImageJ; ilastik; QUINT/Nutil); RT-qPCR gene expression analysis (ΔΔCt)
Outputs: abstracts/posters; oral/poster presentations (TRR/IZN); FENS 2026 abstract submitted for poster presentation
Collaboration: Integrated behavioral assays, viral manipulations, and event-locked MATLAB analyses with cross-disciplinary teammates
Certification
Outstanding Resident of Shanghai Mental Health Center
Accomplishments & Awards
01/2020 Outstanding Resident, Shanghai Mental Health Center
Publications
- Li R, Dai Z, Hu D, Zeng H, Fang Z, Zhuang Z, Xu H, Huang Q, Cui Y, Zhang H (2020). Mapping the alterations of glutamate using Glu-weighted CEST MRI in a rat model of fatigue. Frontiers in Neurology, 11:589128. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.589128
- Li, R., Hu, D., Cui, Y., Xu, H., Huang, Q., & Zhang, H. (2020). 慢性疲劳综合征的神经炎症机制 [Neuroinflammatory mechanisms of chronic fatigue syndrome]. 国际精神病学杂志 [Journal of International Psychiatry], 47(6), 1113–1117.
- Li, R., & Wang, Z. (2024). Interpretation of the Enhanced Program for Systematic Treatment of Bipolar Disorder. In K. Jiang (Ed.), 精神药理学（第3版）[Psychopharmacology (3rd ed.)] (pp. 735–746). Beijing, China: People’s Medical Publishing House.
Timeline
PhD Student
Central Institute of Mental Health Center(ZI) Medical Faculty Mannheim (IZN), Heidelberg University
10.2024 - Current
Research Trainee
Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH)
10.2022 - 08.2024
Outstanding Resident of Shanghai Mental Health Center
01-2020
Resident Doctor
Shanghai Mental Health Center
08.2018 - 08.2022
M.D. - Psychiatry and Mental Health
Shantou University
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Medicine (B.Med.) - Psychological Medicine
Bengbu Medical College