On October 21, 2019, the national academy of medical sciences (NAM) announced its newly elected 90 members and 10 foreign members at its 2019 annual meeting.Tongji alumnus Ming Guoli is one of the two Chinese scientists elected.

Professor Ming has long been engaged in the research of adult neural stem cell growth, developmental molecular mechanism, function and neurological diseases. She has distinguished herself in the challenging field of studying fetal cerebellar syndrome after Zika virus infection.

Research in Dr.Ming Guoli's laboratory centers on understanding molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopment and how its dysregulation may contribute to developmental neurological disorders. The lab uses a combination of experimental approaches that include molecular biology, biochemistry, mouse genetics, imaging, electrophysiology, electron microscopy, optogenetic manipulations, next generation sequencing, and behavioral tests to study neural development. They have been using two complementary model systems, the genetically modified mouse system and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model systems. They are interested in addressing a broad range of topics, from neuronal migration, axon and dendritic development, synapse formation, circuitry integration to plasticity of developing neurons, and functional regeneration of mature neurons.

Prof. Ming Guoli graduated in 1994 from the School of Public Health of Tongji Medical School of HUST(former Tongji Medical University), majoring in maternal and child health. She obtained her Ph. D. in Biology from the University of California San Diego in 2002. After years of work at Johns Hopkins University, she transferred to the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania as a tenured professor.

As her teachers and classmates recalled: When at school, Ming was very intelligent with a cheerful personality. She was strikingly beautiful and versatile, and actively participated in college activities. She was very committed in doing her study and work, but not a bookworm.

July 2018, Alumni Reunion at TMC, HUST

It is reported that since the Reform and Opening Up of China, Prof. MING is the second academician of the American National Academy of Medical Sciences cultivated by Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The other one is Professor Frank Hu, Dean of the Department of Nutrition of the School of Public Health of Harvard University.