Meet the Team

Hongjin Li, PhD, MS, BSN

Assistant Professor
Department of Human Development Nursing Science
Principal Investigator

Hongjin Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development Nursing Science, College of Nursing at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Li is the Principal Investigator of this study. Dr. Li’s research focuses on three main components: (1) phenotyping, identifying trajectory and predictors (genetic and metabolomic) of the psychoneurological symptom cluster (pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety) experienced by breast cancer survivors; (2) testing and implementing complementary and integrative therapies (i.e., acupuncture) to alleviate cancer-related symptoms among medically underserved breast cancer survivors; and (3) using multi-omics approach to understand the effect and mechanism of acupuncture.

Natalie Lif, BA

Research Coordinator
Department of Human Development Nursing Science

Natalie Lif is the research coordinator for the FAB study. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Lewis University. Her goal is to gain experience and further her education in order to build a career in research which will allow her to make a positive impact on the lives of society’s overlooked populations. In 2022, she presented at the Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting in Chicago. Natalie’s past work includes research into the benefits of Parent Teacher Organizations, the utilization and benefits of community engaged learning courses, and the impact of race/police relations during 2020 on students entering law enforcement careers. She enjoys interacting with the public and helping others through her work.

Shuang (Grace) Gao, MS, MS, MSN, RD, LDN, CNSC

Research Assistant 
College of Medicine 
Graduate Program in Neuroscience

Grace is a dietitian and currently a medical student at UIC. She holds three master’s degrees in education, nutrition, and nursing. She is committed to eliminating health disparities, improving health equity, and addressing social determinants of health across diverse populations. Her goals are to become a well-rounded provider and a leader in the healthcare system, and to make positive changes for people in need. She is interested in the relationship between gut microbiome and health. In her free time, she volunteers at a food pantry, a free clinic, the National Kidney Foundation, and other non-profit organizations.

Katy Sullivan, BSN

Research Assistant 
College of Nursing 
PhD Program in Nursing

Katy is a research assistant for this study. She is a registered nurse and certified lactation consultant. She received her bachelor’s in science of nursing from Loyola University Chicago and is currently a Ph.D. student in the College of Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Katy’s passion is improving women’s health and health literacy in underserved populations in both local and global communities. Her past work includes working with Chicago students to help increase their understanding of civic identity and encourage community involvement by developing a summer program and working with patients through the LUROP and Provost Fellowships to assess racial disparities of education outcomes in women with diabetes. Her goal is to create research that will help eliminate health disparities and make healthcare more accessible in underserved communities.