Meet the new CRUK City of London Centre Senior Project Manager – Dr Feng Li
Can you tell us about your professional journey so far?
Prior to joining the CRUK City of London Centre, I managed an Institute at Imperial College London which focus on a new area of research and education – digital chemistry which aims to transform chemistry and chemical engineering to data and artificial intelligence – driven discovery and manufacturing. It was very exciting and rewarding to be instrumental in setting up a new institute. As a Senior Manager at NIHR I managed an annual funding of 40 million on applied health and public health which gave me insights into funding management and fast track translation of Covid-19 research evidence into policy during the pandemic. I spent 5 years managing large projects and programmes at the National Cancer Research Institute on aligning clinical cancer research in the UK and addressing gaps in cancer research such as research to improve the quality of life for people affected by cancer and molecular pathology. I worked with a variety of stakeholders including all major research funders, researchers, healthcare professionals as well as people affected by cancer to develop and implement UK-wide strategies.
Why did you become the City of London Centre Manager?
I have cancer research scientific background where I carried out research on DNA repair at the former CRUK London Research Institute now the Francis Crick Institute after graduating from a Biochemistry degree at Imperial College London. Given the City of London Centre is a world class hub for cancer biotherapeutics and a partnership of four CRUK centres, the role is a perfect match for my professional and scientific experience and expertise. I am really excited to manage the City of London Centre and I look forward to working with the team and wider stakeholders to continue seeing the City of London Centre to be at the forefront of cancer biotherapeutic research, implementation and training.
What do you think are the most exciting opportunity and the biggest challenges for the City of London Centre?
It’s very exciting to see cancer researchers using emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, robotics, etc and to rise above traditional boundaries to collaborate and solve challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic has provided impetus and examples on how scientific discovery is accelerated and translated to public benefit quicker than ever before as well as innovative ways of teaching. These have given rise to many exciting opportunities across the City of London Centre which I am excited to be part of it.
A huge number of great scientists have come to the UK because it is such an incredible global hub. The best people have the greatest number of choices about where they can work. The CRUK City of London Centre will continue to be the world class hub for cancer biotherapeutics and support the brightest minds and determined cancer researchers.
Can you tell us something about yourself outside work?
I love travelling and food. My biggest adventure so far was travelling in the Brazilian wetland, fishing and eating piranhas. I like food across the globe, but I am not keen on piranhas!