Wolfson College Cambridge: Dr Chunxiao

Position Governing Body Fellow Junior Research Fellow
School Clinical Medicine MRC Epidemiology Unit
Email chunxiao.li@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
Department link MRC Epidemiology Unit

Chunxiao is an epidemiology researcher specialising in understanding how genetic and behavioural factors influence type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders and advancing population health through preventive approaches. Chunxiao is a Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson College.

Chunxiao received her bachelor’s degree in Preventive Medicine from Shandong University and a master’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Peking University in China. In 2018, she started her PhD at Cambridge under the supervision of Professor Nick Wareham, investigating the association between meat consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes based on a global network of cohorts of more than 1.5 million participants. Additionally, Chunxiao has studied disease aetiology by leveraging the potential of diverse multi-omics data. Chunxiao was a Jardine Cambridge Scholar between 2018 and 2022.

Chunxiao is now a Research Associate at the MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge.

Chunxiao’s research interests are in the aetiology and prevention of type 2 diabetes, particularly in the Middle Eastern population, where prevalence is exceptionally high, yet evidence is scarce. Her research focuses on uncovering modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes and assessing their interplay with genetic predispositions through traditional epidemiological data, multi-omics (genetics, metabolomics, and proteomics), and linked electronic health records. Based on her research evidence, Chunxiao is determined to identify early intervention opportunities, develop preventive strategies, and design interventional studies for high-risk individuals. By doing so, she believes the huge economic and disease burden associated with type 2 diabetes can be mitigated substantially.

What's on

Event Type (field_event_type)

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Wolfson Bulb Trail

11/04/2026 at 10.00

Our new bulb trail allows you to enjoy our thoughtfully planted displays and explore our beautiful College Gardens at your own pace.

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Art Exhibition: 'Epic Journeys'

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Visit Wolfson's latest exhibition 'Epic Journeys' featuring work by distinguished artist Hassan Aliyu.

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Lessons from WHO Non-Communicable Disease Initiative about Chronic Disease

21/04/2026 at 17.30

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