Professor at ocean university of China, China.
Dr. Li Pinglin is a distinguished professor at the School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, with expertise in marine natural product chemistry. His research focuses on the isolation, structural elucidation, and bioactivity evaluation of secondary metabolites derived from marine invertebrates and their symbiotic microorganisms, especially from the South China Sea. He integrates advanced quantum chemical calculations such as ECD, NMR, and optical rotation analyses to decode complex molecular structures. With a prolific publication record in journals such as Marine Drugs, Phytochemistry, and Journal of Natural Products, Dr. Li has significantly contributed to the discovery of novel compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and cytotoxic properties. He has led several major national and provincial research projects and earned multiple scientific awards recognizing his innovative work. His academic journey is marked by a commitment to interdisciplinary research and excellence in marine-based pharmaceutical science.
Professional Profile:
ORCID
✅Suitability For Best Researcher Award – Prof. Pinglin li
Dr. Li Pinglin is a seasoned and internationally recognized marine natural product chemist whose research lies at the intersection of organic chemistry, pharmacology, and computational analysis. With over a decade of academic and research leadership at the Ocean University of China, and an extensive list of peer-reviewed publications and awards, he demonstrates excellence in scholarly output, innovation, mentorship, and societal relevance. His continuous research support from national agencies and international exposure (e.g., Scripps Institution of Oceanography) strengthens his global profile.
🎓 Education
Dr. Li Pinglin earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 2008 from Lanzhou University, China, one of the country’s top institutions in chemical sciences. Prior to this, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2003 at the same university. His educational background laid a solid foundation in organic synthesis, molecular structure elucidation, and analytical chemistry. Dr. Li also broadened his scientific outlook through international academic exchange, serving as a visiting scholar at the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, from 2015 to 2016, where he engaged in marine pharmacology and natural product chemistry.
💼 Experience
Dr. Li Pinglin has had a progressive academic career at the Ocean University of China. He began as a lecturer in the College of Food Science and Engineering (2008–2011) before transitioning to the School of Medicine and Pharmacy, where he served as a lecturer (2011–2013), associate professor (2014–2015), and has held the position of professor since January 2016. His long-standing affiliation with the university reflects deep institutional knowledge and leadership. He has supervised numerous graduate students and has contributed significantly to the growth of research in marine pharmacology, establishing himself as a core figure in the faculty’s scientific development.
📈 Professional Development
Throughout his career, Dr. Li has consistently advanced both his scientific expertise and professional influence. His research has been supported by prestigious funding bodies, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Shandong Province Funds for Distinguished Young Scientists. As a chief investigator, he has led multiple competitive research projects and contributed to China’s growing leadership in marine bioprospecting. His professional development was further enriched during his tenure as a visiting scholar at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, where he engaged with global leaders in marine chemistry. Dr. Li has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration through his work on quantum-based stereochemical analysis and semi-synthesis of bioactive compounds. His publication record and award-winning contributions reflect continuous growth in scholarly impact and recognition. He remains committed to mentoring emerging scientists and contributing to the advancement of marine pharmacological sciences on both national and international fronts.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Li Pinglin’s primary research focus lies within Marine Natural Product Chemistry—an interdisciplinary field combining marine biology, organic chemistry, and pharmacology. His work involves the discovery, isolation, and structural characterization of secondary metabolites from South China Sea marine invertebrates, particularly soft corals and sponge-associated microorganisms. These natural compounds often display potent bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial effects, offering potential for pharmaceutical development. Dr. Li’s research also encompasses semi-synthetic modifications to enhance compound efficacy and stability. Additionally, his focus extends into computational chemistry, applying quantum methods such as ECD and NMR simulation to verify stereochemistry and chiral centers. This category of research plays a critical role in drug discovery, chemical ecology, and biomedical innovation. By bridging field exploration with molecular-level analysis, Dr. Li’s work contributes to unlocking the therapeutic potential of marine biodiversity and supporting sustainable marine drug development.
🧪 Research Skills
Dr. Li possesses a specialized skill set in natural product chemistry, particularly related to marine-derived compounds. His skills include advanced chromatographic isolation techniques (e.g., HPLC, LC-MS), spectroscopic structure elucidation (e.g., NMR, MS, IR), and quantum chemical calculations (e.g., ECD, NMR shift prediction, optical rotation) for stereochemical determination. He is adept at utilizing nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) and residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) to resolve challenging macrocyclic structures. Additionally, Dr. Li engages in semi-synthetic derivatization, enhancing the pharmaceutical potential of marine metabolites. His research relies on bioassay-guided fractionation, enabling targeted screening for anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and anti-thrombotic activities. He combines wet lab precision with computational chemistry to achieve accurate and efficient structural verification. These interdisciplinary skills are essential for modern drug discovery pipelines and chemical biology research, making Dr. Li a valuable expert at the intersection of marine science, organic chemistry, and medicinal chemistry.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Dr. Li Pinglin has received several prestigious awards in recognition of his outstanding research contributions. Notably, he was honored with the Sanofi Biopharmaceuticals Award for Youth by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association in 2013, acknowledging his early-career excellence in drug-related research. He has also received multiple international academic awards from Sciencefarther and Scifax, India, including the Best Research Award from the 21st ACA Edition, Top Teachers Award in its 9th edition (TOT), and the Best Research Award in Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (14th ANN Edition). These accolades highlight both his scientific innovation and teaching excellence, demonstrating national and global recognition. His award record affirms his sustained impact in natural product chemistry and his leadership in advancing marine-based therapeutic research.
Publication Top Notes
🧪 1. Discovery of Secondary Metabolites from the Sponge-Derived Fungus Aspergillus templicola
-
Journal: Marine Drugs
-
Date: July 2025
-
DOI: 10.3390/md23070285
-
Authors: Kai Li, Yue Zhang, Lei Li, Sen Wang, Cili Wang, Pinglin Li
-
Summary:
This study reports the isolation and structural elucidation of novel secondary metabolites from the sponge-associated fungus Aspergillus templicola. The research highlights their potential biological activities, including antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, demonstrating marine fungi as promising sources of bioactive natural products.
🧬 2. Heterocycles and a Sorbicillinoid from the Coral-Derived Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum
-
Journal: Marine Drugs
-
Date: November 2024
-
DOI: 10.3390/md22110517
-
Authors: Junjie Yang, Yuan Zong, Cili Wang, Kai Li, Yue Zhang, Pinglin Li
- Citation: 8 citations
-
Summary:
This paper explores the chemical diversity of Penicillium chrysogenum isolated from coral. It features the discovery of novel heterocyclic compounds and a sorbicillinoid derivative. Bioassays revealed antimicrobial and cytoprotective properties, highlighting their pharmacological relevance.
🌊 3. Terpenoids from the Soft Coral Sinularia densa Collected in the South China Sea
-
Journal: Marine Drugs
-
Date: September 2024
-
DOI: 10.3390/md22100442
-
Authors: Cili Wang, Jiarui Zhang, Kai Li, Junjie Yang, Lei Li, Sen Wang, Hu Hou, Pinglin Li
- Citation: 2 citations
-
Summary:
The study identifies a series of terpenoid compounds from Sinularia densa, a soft coral species. Structural analysis and biological assays suggest these terpenoids exhibit promising bioactivities, especially in anti-inflammatory and anticancer screening platforms.
🧴 4. Lemneolemnanes A–D, Four Uncommon Sesquiterpenoids from the Soft Coral Lemnalia sp.
-
Journal: Marine Drugs
-
Date: March 2024
-
DOI: 10.3390/md22040145
-
Authors: Yuan Zong, Tian-Yun Jin, Jun-Jie Yang, Kun-Ya Wang, Xing Shi, Yue Zhang, Pinglin Li
- Citation: 1 citation
-
Summary:
This article presents the isolation of four novel sesquiterpenoids named Lemneolemnanes A–D from Lemnalia species. The structural uniqueness and cytotoxic potential of these compounds reinforce the chemical richness of marine soft corals.
Conclusion
Dr. Li Pinglin exemplifies the ideals of a Best Researcher Award recipient. His innovative contributions to marine pharmacological sciences, especially his work in discovering and analyzing bioactive marine natural products, not only advance scientific understanding but also hold translational potential for human health. His blend of technical skill, research productivity, mentorship, and global recognition makes him a top-tier candidate deserving of the Best Researcher Award.