Thomas Letao Li

Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellow (anonymous donor)
PhD Student
Department of Chemistry
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellows Alumni
Understanding cellular responses induced by chronic implantation of electrodes using a novel human neural differentiation platform

Tommy comes from a long line of scientists and educators, with professors and teachers throughout the family tree. He grew up in Kentucky and Ohio, and went to Cornell University thinking that he would be a lawyer. He graduated as a double major in Chemistry and Science and Technology Studies (STS), with an appreciation for the history and philosophy of science as well as science itself. In the future, he hopes to both conduct scientific research and raise awareness of science as a historical and social endeavor.

Related Projects

Funded research
Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Understanding cellular responses induced by chronic implantation of electrodes using a novel human neural differentiation platform

Electrodes implanted in the brain have great potential, with applications in neurodegenerative disease, brain-computer interfaces, and more. However, the presence of electrodes in brain tissue causes a response known as gliosis, in which a scar forms around the electrode, reducing its effectiveness and access to neurons.