Kan Li, a PhD candidate in medicinal chemistry at Rutgers University, is researching new therapeutic approaches for enteroviruses, which can cause illnesses ranging from cold-like symptoms to serious neurological complications, particularly in children.
Li received a PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship in Drug Discovery for his research on a viral protein called 2C, which enteroviruses need to reproduce. His work focuses on developing drugs that target and degrade this protein, with the goal of stopping viral spread while reducing the risk of drug resistance.
Becoming a father has also shaped Li’s approach to research. He says parenthood has strengthened the patience, resilience, and calm he brings to scientific challenges.
Through his fellowship-supported research, Li is working toward new antiviral strategies that could ultimately lead to more effective treatments for enterovirus infections, including those that can have serious consequences for children.
Learn more on the PhRMA Foundation website.