Gen Li, a PhD student at VIB–KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, has been selected as the second recipient of a Belgian PhD Fellowship focused on Parkinson’s research.
Launched in 2023 by the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity together with Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO), the Fellowship programme aims to encourage more scientists at the start of their career to research Parkinson’s disease with a view to increasing the scientific activity focused on this fast-growing neurodegenerative condition.
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Please could you introduce yourself?
Hello! My name is Gen Li, I am 28 years old and from Tianjin, a seaside city in northern China close to Beijing. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Harbin Medical University (HMU) and Master’s degree in Pharmacology from Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Tsinghua University (TSU).
During my undergraduate studies, I built a strong foundation in life sciences, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Motivated by my curiosity and passion for neuroscience, I chose neuropharmacology as the focus of my master’s studies, aiming to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases. Over those three years of rigorous training, I strengthened my expertise in molecular biology, cell culture, and animal models (mice and rats).
I also had the opportunity to spend a short research stay at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, where I focused on the mechanistic study of C9orf72-related ALS/FTD. This experience enhanced my adaptability and deepened my commitment to pursuing a scientific career.
Currently, I am a PhD student at the Laboratory for Membrane Trafficking at VIB–KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, under the supervision of Prof. Wim Annaert.
Beyond the lab, I am an optimistic and motivated person who enjoys exploring the world through travel and photography. In my free time, I love running and ice skating, which help me stay active and clear my mind.
Please could you describe your PhD research project?
Mutations in vacuolar protein sorting 13 homolog C (VPS13C or PARK23) have been linked to distinct Lewy Body diseases, including early-onset Parkinson’s disease as well as Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Although these brain disorders share many symptoms such as movement difficulties and memory loss, they also differ in the onset and progression of clinical symptoms. Yet, we still do not understand how changes in this single gene can give rise to these distinct neuropathologies.
The VPS13C protein function as a “bridge” between different compartments inside cells and neurons — including, between the endoplasmic reticulum, the cell’s factory of lipids, and the lysosomes, where dysfunctional organelles and aggregated proteins are recycled. By transferring lipids across these compartments, VPS13C helps to maintain the organelles’ function and as such overall cellular health. When VPS13C is mutated as in Lewy Body diseases, this system may gradually fail, leading to the dysfunction of organelles causing stress and damage to brain cells.
In my project, I use human neuronal cells and microglia (the immune cells of the brain) that either lack or carry disease-related mutations in VPS13C. By comparing them, I aim to uncover how these mutations disturb the communication between key organelles in these cells and as such impact on cell health and energy balance.
Understanding these early molecular changes could reveal why and how brain cells degenerate in these diseases and help identify new therapeutic targets to slow or prevent the disease in the future.
Can you explain how this project will contribute to our understanding of Parkinson’s Disease?
By studying brain cells made from human stem cells that lack or express mutant variants of VPS13C, my project aims to uncover how early cellular problems initiate in in the etiopathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, I will look at how VPS13C helps different brain cells to maintain their internal “recycling system” (the lysosomes) and “energy factory” (the mitochondria) healthy and in communication with each other. When this system breaks down, waste products and damaged proteins — including α-synuclein, which accumulates in Parkinson’s disease — may not be properly cleared away, leading to stress and eventually cell death.
By revealing these early cellular changes, my research will help connect genetic mutations to the chain of events that cause brain cell degeneration. In the long term, this knowledge could guide the development of new therapeutic strategies that restore cell health and prevent disease progression in Parkinson’s and related disorders.
Why do you want to research Parkinson’s disease?
My name is Gen Li (pronounced like “Reagan” in Chinese), a name my father chose hoping I would inherit the resilience and optimism of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. During college, I learned that Reagan had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and his story deeply moved me. It sparked my curiosity about how the brain works — and why, in some people, it gradually stops working the way it should.
Later, when I met people living with Parkinson’s disease, I was profoundly touched by how their hands trembled uncontrollably and how they gradually lost parts of their memory and independence. These encounters left a strong impression on me. I came to realize the harsh reality of neurodegenerative diseases — how they slowly take away a person’s abilities and dignity — and how urgently we need a deeper understanding and more effective treatments.
As our population ages, the number of people living with Parkinson’s disease will only continue to rise. As a young neuroscientist, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to uncovering the mechanisms that drive this disease, with the hope that one day, our research can lead to earlier diagnosis and effective therapies that improve patients’ lives.
Have you had any personal experience with Parkinson’s patients and what impact has that had on you?
During my undergraduate studies, I visited a nursing home where I met several elderly residents, including a few living with Parkinson’s disease. It was my first close encounter with patients affected by the condition. I also have a relative who suffers from Parkinson’s, which gave me a more personal understanding of its impact.
Seeing their trembling hands and how their memory and independence gradually faded left a deep and lasting impression on me. I realized how profoundly neurodegenerative diseases affect not only patients but also their families. These experiences strengthened my determination to explore the biological mechanisms behind these disorders and to contribute — even in a small way — to the search for better treatments and hope for those affected.
What difference will it make to you and your research to receive this PhD Fellowship award?
I am truly honored to have been awarded the FWO–Demoucelle Parkinson Charity PhD Fellowship. This award represents not only personal encouragement but also recognition of the hard work and dedication of my supervisor and our research team who have supported the development of this project.
The fellowship provides essential financial security, allowing me to fully dedicate my time and energy to scientific discovery without the concern of daily expenses. The bench fee that accompanies the fellowship also offers valuable flexibility — enabling me to perform more advanced experiments, explore new techniques, and engage in international collaborations and conferences that will broaden my scientific perspective.
Beyond the practical benefits, this fellowship is a tremendous source of motivation. It gives me the confidence and independence to pursue my research on VPS13C and Lewy body diseases with greater depth and ambition.
And finally, what’s your favourite quote or piece of life advice?
My favorite quote is a Chinese saying my parents often remind me of:
“但行好事, 莫问前程”, which means “Focus on your best, the future will handle the rest”.
This phrase has shaped how I approach both life and research. It reminds me to focus on doing what is right and meaningful, without worrying too much about recognition or outcomes. Whenever things feel uncertain or progress seems slow, I think of my parents, who have always worked diligently and helped others selflessly, without expecting anything in return. Their example teaches me that as long as I keep putting in honest effort and kindness, the results will follow in their own time — and that is a principle I will carry with me throughout my PhD journey and beyond.
The Demoucelle Parkinson Charity is very grateful to the National Bank of Belgium
for its support as lead contributor to this initiative.