Dr. Qinglei Li Wins Prestigious Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award

Posted June 10, 2013

COLLEGE STATION, TX - Dr. Qinglei Li, assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, received the prestigious Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU).

The only awardee from Texas A&M University, Li intends to use the award to advance his research program and leverage the findings for obtaining additional extramural funding.

"Dr. Li is an outstanding member of our faculty," said Dr. Eleanor Green, Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. "His research program is a significant addition to our key signature program in reproductive biology. We are so proud that his hard work has been recognized with this award, giving him the opportunity to continue his discoveries in this important area of research."

Li, a faculty member at the CVM for the past two years, has developed studies to better understand how a certain protein, called transforming growth factor beta, regulates female reproductive function. Ultimately, he hopes his work will lead to the development of treatments for reproductive disorders in female animals, and, potentially, women as well.

"I am very proud of Dr. Li as one of our newest young faculty members," said Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Professor and Head of the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences. "In addition to being an excellent reproductive biologist who has already garnered highly competitive funding and published important research, Dr. Li is also an excellent teacher and invaluable collaborator.  The ORAU award is well-deserved recognition of Dr. Li's independent achievements as a young investigator, as well as his promise for future achievements."

The award provides seed money for junior faculty's research projects that will eventually result in new funding opportunities. The money can be used towards summer salary, graduate student salary, travel, equipment, or other assistance relevant to the faculty member's research.

"This national level ORAU award not only recognizes Dr. Li's current research," said Dr. Bhanu Chowdhary, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, "it also highlights the potential for his research to earn additional funding in the future, as well as the important implications his discoveries will make to the female reproductive health of humans and animals."

As one of its signature programs, reproductive biology research at the CVM has more than 20 associated faculty members whose work is internationally renowned.

"It is wonderful to work with these outstanding faculty members and students in such a supportive environment," Li said. "I am very pleased that our research is recognized by this competitive award."

As a consortium of major Ph.D.-granting academic institutions, ORAU's mission is to cultivate collaborative partnerships that enhance scientific research and education.

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook.

Contact Information

Angela G. Clendenin
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Ofc - (979) 862-2675
Cell - (979) 739-5718

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