Xiaowei Li a Postdoctoral Associate of Plant Breeding and Genetics at the Gore Lab at Cornell University. Xiaowei began his career studying genetic and molecular basis underlying the natural variation of embryo size in maize kernel, which has a critical role in controlling kernel nutrition components and grain yield. Currently, he is applying multiple approaches (GWAS, TWAS, Fisher’s combined test, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, etc.) with the maize Ames inbred line panel (n~2,000) to advance the understanding of the genes, alleles and genetic mechanisms controlling synthesis and accumulation of vitamins that are limiting in maize grain, including B vitamins and vitamin E.

Xiaowei received his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics, National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing in 2018 and his B.S. in Agronomy, China Agricultural University, Beijing in 2011.