Dr Xinyu Li is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Cardiff University School of Medicine, specialising in the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and the development of novel targeted therapies. She holds a BSc in Physiology from the University of Bristol and earned her PhD from Cardiff University for her research on the molecular targeting of Striatins (STRNs) and the STRIPAK complex in human solid cancers. Situated within a research group heavily focused on the role of tight junction properties in cancer development, metastasis, and drug resistance, Dr Li has contributed significantly to junctional studies. Her notable work includes investigating the clinical significance of Claudin-9 (CLDN9) and its anchorage proteins, ZO-1 and ZO-3, particularly in the context of breast cancer drug resistance. Dr Li’s current research is at the forefront of understanding the intersection between cholesterol metabolism and cell-cell junction properties. Her recent work investigates the clinical values of MLN64 and how MLN64 regulates intracellular cholesterol transportation and lipid raft dynamics to influence the formation and stability of tight junctions in cancer cells. By exploring these membrane-level interactions, she aims to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities to improve patient clinical outcomes and long-term survival.