A curious, collaborative team

Peng Yi, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Yi is an Investigator at Joslin Diabetes Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and an affiliate member at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and MIT. His laboratory uses genome-scale genetic screens to study beta-cell proliferation, regeneration, stress, and protection from autoimmunity.

Jian Li, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jian Li, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Yi Laboratory at Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on developing regenerative therapies for diabetes by uncovering the molecular mechanisms that control pancreatic beta-cell restoration and function.

Siying Wei, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Siying received her Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where she studied diabetes, beta-cell function, and nutritional interventions. For the past five years, she has been a postdoctoral fellow in the Yi Lab at Joslin Diabetes Center, focusing on CRISPR screening of beta-cell function and cellular cold tolerance. Outside the lab, she enjoys good food, animals, and traveling.

Mulin He, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Mulin is a postdoctoral fellow studying innovative gene delivery strategies for type 1 diabetes. Her research builds on a background in lipid metabolism and focuses on translating gene-editing technologies into therapeutic applications. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and exploring new experiences.

Chris Clifford

Ph.D. Candidate · MIT HST Program

Jessica da Silva Pereira, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jessica has expertise in immunology, focusing on immune responses in metabolic disease. She trained in pharmacy and holds a master's degree in science.

Andy Ma

Research Assistant

Jordan Chen

Harvard Undergraduate Student

Jordan is an undergraduate researcher in the Yi Lab at Joslin Diabetes Center. Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he is a member of the Harvard College Class of 2029 and studies Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology.

His research focuses on pancreatic beta cells and beta-cell replication, with the broader goal of contributing to new treatments and potential cures for diabetes. As someone living with type 1 diabetes, Jordan has a personal connection to this work and is especially motivated by its potential impact on patients. In the lab, he uses techniques including Western blotting, immunofluorescence imaging, cell culture, and FPLC-based protein purification.

Jordan hopes to pursue a medical degree and potentially a Ph.D. Outside the lab, he enjoys staying active, managing his glucose, and exploring new places to eat around Boston.