Lab Members

Principal Investigator

Cheng-Yu Li, Ph.D

cyli@umbc.edu

Assistant Professor
pronouns: he/his/him
office: ILSB #209
Lab: ILSB #214

Postdoc University of Maryland College Park (2024)
Ph.D. University of Alabama (2018)
M.S. National Taiwan Normal University (2011)

I am a neuroethologist with a broad interest in neuroendocrine systems and animal behavior. My research investigates how individuals perceive and process social information from their environments, and how this translates into neurophysiological responses (e.g., hormonal responses) and adaptive behaviors (e.g., aggression, mating, and parental care). While I’ve worked with various fish species, my current lab focuses on African cichlids and mangrove rivulus killifish.

I was born and raised in Taiwan, where I earned my B.S. from National Yang Ming University and my M.S. from National Taiwan Normal University. I then moved to the U.S. to pursue my Ph.D. at the University of Alabama and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland, College Park, before joining the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Outside of work, I love hiking, kayaking, camping, gardening, exploring new cities, and photography.

Lab Research Technician Assistant

Lauren Norwood (lnorwoo1@umbc.edu)
B.S. Biological Sciences, UMBC (2022)
Driven by the idea of ecologically friendly solutions to human-environment interaction, I study the evolution of animal behavior in order to understand what factors most negatively affect species diversity and habitat loss across multiple ecosystems. I believe a greater variety of voices are needed in the science community, and so I’m passionate about diversifying the natural science field through outreach and involvement with underrepresented groups. Exploring a variety of biological systems, I have studied freshwater darter mating patterns, weedy radish evolution, frugivorous bat foraging behavior, and now neuroendocrine systems in cichlids. During my free time, I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, crafting, and exploring new dining experiences.

Graduate Students

Rotation Ph.D. Students

Md Arifur Rahman (lw95373@umbc.edu)
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
M.S. in Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh (2015)
B.S. in Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh (2013)
I am Md Arifur Rahman, a faculty member of the Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics at Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. My prospective Ph.D. research will focus on investigating the mechanisms by which reproductive hormone-derived pheromones such as Prostaglandin F2α (PGF₂α) and the olfactory receptor Or113a regulate sex-specific and context-dependent behaviors in the African cichlid, Astatotilapia burtoni. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, ukulele, and singing.

Emma Lorentz (emmal1@umbc.edu)

M.S. Applied Molecular Biology UMBC (2024)
B.S. Biological Sciences UMBC (2023)
I am a first year doctoral student in the UMBC Biology department. My research interests involve finding ways to connect behavioral ecology with molecular biology and bioinformatics. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and cross stitching.

AMB students

Hannah Wallace (hannahw3@umbc.edu)

M.S. Applied Molecular Biology UMBC (2026)
B.S. Biological Sciences UMBC (2025)

Could be you! The lab is recruiting graduate students to start Fall 2026!

Interested in joining the Li lab?
Here’s some info on how:
JOIN THE LAB

Undergraduate Students

Morris Hirsch (morrish2@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.A. in Psychology (Expected Spring 2025)
B.A. in Biological Sciences (Expected Spring 2025)

Morris Hirsch is an undergraduate researcher majoring in biology and psychology. In the lab, Morris will work with mangrove rivulus killifish, investigating how an indvidual processes contest information in the brain and how it is translated into adaptive behavioral response. During his free time Morris enjoys spending time with his German Shepherd, Maya.

Thanh Trieu Nguyen (thanhtn1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biological Sciences (Expected Spring 2026)

My name is Thanh-Trieu Nguyen, I am a B.S Biology major. I am expected to graduate Spring 2026. During my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, hiking, and eating good food.

Nahed El Fiky (nelfiky1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biological Sciences (Expected Fall 2025)

I am a Junior majoring in Biological Sciences (B.S.) with a passion for biomedical research, particularly in neuroscience, endocrinology, and dermatology. I aspire to pursue an MD/PhD, combining patient care with research that addresses unanswered questions in medicine. Outside of the lab, I enjoy being involved in many student organizations on campus, traveling, running, and spending time with my friends and family. 

Brenna Carter (brennac1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biological Sciences (Expected Spring 2028)

I am a freshman Meyerhoff Scholar majoring in Biological Sciences (B.S.) with minors in Psychology and Chemistry. I have an interest in neuroscience and plan to pursue my MD/PhD and aspire to become a surgeon. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, attending concerts, and going to the gym.

Onkarpreet kaur (onkarpk1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biological Sciences (Expected Fall 2027)

I am Onkarpreet Kaur, a sophomore majoring in B.S. Biological Sciences. I am expected to graduate in Fall 2027. During my free time, I enjoy reading nonfiction books, going for a walk and spending time with my friends.

Simon Poudel (ppoudel1@umbc.edu)

Julia Willimann (jwillim1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Psychology (Expected Spring 2027)
B.A. in Biology (Expected Spring 2027)

My name is Julia Willimann and I am majoring in Psychology (B.S.) and Biology (B.A.) and minoring in Philosophy. I am expected to graduate Spring 2027. I am very interested in neuroscience, especially cognitive neuroscience, and hope to obtain an MD/PhD. In my free time, I love reading, cooking and baking, and weightlifting.

Anderson Berrios (aberrio1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biological Sciences (Expected Spring 2029)

I am a junior majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-med track. I aim to pursue medical school after undergrad with a profound interest in obstetrics. In my free time I enjoy hour long walks and listening to music. I am also the vice president of the HLSU (Hispanic Latino Student Union)

Khadija Malik (k345@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biological Sciences (Expected Spring 2028)

Hello! I’m Khadija, a Biological Sciences Major on the pre-vet track and I’m scheduled to graduate by Spring 2028. I’m also minoring in Chemistry and Emergency Health Systems, and my hobbies are hoarding shiny things, cat stickers and 3D puzzles. Drop by for a free distraction anytime! :]

Gabriela Felix (gfelixc1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biological Sciences (Expected Spring 2027)

Hi, I’m currently a junior majoring in Biological Sciences (B.S.) with plans to pursue veterinary school. In my free time, I enjoy watching my favorite shows, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family.

Taylor Blueford (taylorb4@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Psychology (Expected Spring 2025)

I’m a senior psychology major with a strong passion for neuroscience and biopsychology. My plan after graduating is to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, and going for walks.

Jessica Obimba (jobimba1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Psychology (Expected Fall 2028)
B.S. in Biology (Expected Fall 2028)

I am Jessica Obimba, majoring in Biological Sciences and Psychology. I have an interest in neuroscience research and enjoy reading in my free time.

Omokanyinsola (Favour) Akinroluyo (oakinro1@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Expected Fall 2028)

Hi! My name is Kanyinsola, but I go by Favour. I’m Nigerian and a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. My ultimate career goal is to become an immunologist because I find the immune system incredibly fascinating. In my free time, I love spending time with my family and close friends. Recently, I’ve been trying to watch the Marvel movies in chronological order. I also joined the Li lab this semester.

Aveline Phillips (aphilli2@umbc.edu)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
B.S. in Environmental Science & Geography (Expected Fall 2027)
Hello! I’m a junior majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Biological Sciences and plan to pursue veterinary school after graduation. I’m currently president of the UMBC Pre-Veterinary Society and outside of school I work at Vetco. I have a cat named Socks and in my free time I like to watch movies, read, and play video games.

Sufiyan Malik (smalik12@umbc.edu)

Could be you! The lab is recruiting multiple undergraduate research assistants!

Interested in joining the Li lab?
Here’s some info on how:
JOIN THE LAB

High School Student Intern

 

Former lab members

Kellee Toler (ktoler1@umbc.edu), former rotation graduate student, now at Dr. Bernard Lohr’s lab

Jonas Van Kirk (jonasvankirk@gmail.com), former high school intern, now at Northeastern University

Curtis Deng (dengbuo1@umbc.edu), former AMB student, now at NIH

Harper Montgomery (hmontgomery@umbc.edu), former rotation graduate student, now at Dr. Mercedes Burns’s lab