Pfizer

I completed my Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr. Katherine Kalil at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I developed in vitro and in vivo imaging tools to study molecular and cellular mechanisms in the development of the corpus callosum. My thesis work provided evidence to demonstrate the unexpected effects of Wnt5a protein on axonal outgrowth and guidance and underlying mechanisms including Ca2+ signaling, tau phosphorylation and microtubule dynamics.

In Oct., 2010, I joined the Neuroscience Postdoc Program at Pfizer as a Michael J. Fox Foundation Fellow. Currently I am working in the autophagy group led by Dr. John Dunlop and Dr. Warren Hirst. We are interested in investigating the basic biology of autophagy in cells and animals and we are eager to find new targets to provide potential therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. During my time at Pfizer, I have worked in a collaboration enviroment with talented neuroscientists and we have been using a wide spectrum of techniques including biochemistry, molecular biology, confocal imaging, behavioral tests and bioinformatics. The postdoc training at Pfizer reinforces my interest in neuroscience and strengthens my capability to investigate neurological diseases with novel techniques.

Mentors: Warren Hirst and John Dunlop

Li, L.; Hutchins, B. I.; Kalil, K. “Wnt5a induces simultaneous cortical axon outgrowth and repulsive turning through distinct signaling mechanisms”, Science Signaling, 2010, 3, pt2.

Li, L.; Hutchins, B. I.; Kalil, K. “Wnt5a induces simultaneous cortical axon outgrowth and repulsive axon guidance through distinct signaling mechanisms”, Journal of Neuroscience, 2009, 29, 5873 – 5883.

*Hutchins, B. I.; *Li, L. “EphrinA and TrkB interact to promote axon branching”, Journal of Neuroscience, 2009, 29, 4329 – 4331. *equal contribution

Why did you choose Pfizer?

I chose to come to Pfizer because of: (a) the exciting and high-quality science going on in the Neuroscience Department; (b) the collaborative environment to science; (c) the opportunity to work with talented people to address unmet medical questions.

What do you enjoy most about your position?

I enjoy a lot of things as a postdoc in Pfizer but the most of it must be the terrific people. In Pfizer Neuroscience, you will be surrounded by a lot of people with many years of experience in different fields. The people here are generous to share their expertise, equipment and reagents, and they are extremely supportive and helpful.

Summarize your work day in 5 words:

Communication; Collaboration; Efficiency; Fun; Intense

What is the post-doc community like at Pfizer?

Since August, 2010, we have had ~10 postdocs in the Neuroscience Postdoc Program and the community is growing very fast. People in the program are very interested in their research and we are provided a lot of opportunities to discuss science and research. In fact, we are going to have a worldwide Pfizer R&D Postdoc Symposium in Groton, CT in the October of 2011 and all the postdocs from different units including neuroscience, oncology, structural biology et al. are going to present their work.

What is your inspiration during work in Pfizer?

During my stay in Pfizer, I am inspired by talented colleagues, the projects we worked on and the ultimate goal to find a cure for patients.

Which conferences did you / are you going to attend this year? Did you/ Are you going to present?

In 2011, I have been to the Keystone Symposia with the emphasis on Autophagy in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada and a New York Academy of Sciences meeting named “Targeting synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease”. I am going to present my work at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington D.C. in November.