Ying LI: Be all you can be

“Smart management of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is the tendency of present public health development. My job is to develop smart solutions and strategies to tackle NCD, assist people with diabetes to improve their lifestyles and abilities in self-management.”

Ms. Ying LI is an Associate Project Manager (APM) for Diabetes research program at the George Institute China (TGI China). She takes charge of diabetes research programs and mobile health innovation projects.

How long have you been working at The George Institute China?
It has been almost 5 years since I joined TGI in Oct, 2011.

What is your professional background?
I received my master degree in Chinese Pharmacology from China Pharmaceutical University in 2009. After graduation, I worked as a Research Fellow at the Methodist Hospital Research Institute in the US. After that, I joined TGI in Oct, 2011. And to some extent, it is my first domestic job.

What attracted you to work at The George Institute?
To be honest, I joined TGI by an astonishing stroke of luck. One of my friends took an interview at TGI in 2011. She was impressed with the unique institute culture and harmonious working atmosphere, although she did not go well with the appointment. With her strong recommendation and that of headhunters, I joined TGI in 2011, and the five years has been a most enjoyable time for me.

What does your work focus on?
I currently manage a program of research in the management of people with diabetes mellitus and in the use of mobile health innovation technology. When I joined TGI, I was involved in the Observational Registry of Basal Insulin Treatment (ORBIT) study which is a pivotal study of the management of diabetes in China. I hope to start a new study of diabetes - ROADMAP - in August.

What difference will this make to healthcare and why?
Let’s take what I am working on now for instance.  It will improve the self-management capability of people with diabetes, and hopefully enhance population health in the long term. What’s more, we are doing research about what is the standard care of diabetes in the hierarchical medical system of China, in the hope of engaging with decision makers to enact real change by providing primary care data and strong evidence.

To explain to people what you do you say…
Smart management of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is the tendency of present public health development. My job is to develop smart solutions and strategies to tackle NCD, assist people with diabetes to improve their lifestyles and abilities in self-management.

Why do you enjoy working at The George Institute?
I really enjoy the working atmosphere here. We are encouraged to challenge traditional thinking and provide an impetus for new and innovative solutions to health problems. Moreover, I can be involved in various projects which enhanced not only my research capacity but also communication and project management skills. Last but not least, TGI implements humane and scientific management system. We are given 100% trust and flexibility.

To unwind at the end of the day you…
I am fond of travelling and it is a way to experience the world and learn about places you have never been before. I have been to the US, Germany, Italy, Greece, France, Nepal and Puerto Rico. Not every journey is perfect, but sometimes the best things come from the worst experiences. And I will bring my child together with me to see the world when she grows older.