About

Feng Li is a Professor and Site Director at Purdue University, affiliated with the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, earned in August 2009. His research interests include wireless networks, sensor networks, security, and trust, with a focus on computer networks and related security issues. Feng Li is actively involved in the academic community, contributing to the advancement of practical and hands-on learning experiences for students. His work emphasizes the development of secure and trustworthy network systems, and he is recognized for his contributions to the field through various faculty and staff awards at Purdue Polytechnic.

Research topics

• Biology
• Materials science
• Engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology
• Zoology
• Genetics
• Structural engineering
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Composite material
• Ecology
• Computational biology
• Cell biology
• Biochemistry

Selected publications

• Study on the Transient Temperature Evolution Characteristics of Three-Phase Co-Box Type GIS and Inversion Method for Busbar Temperature

  Electronics · 2025-11-24 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  The online diagnosis technology used to determine the internal thermal status and defects of GIS equipment is important. In the existing GIS bus thermal defect fault diagnosis methods, sensors are usually installed on the highest and lowest temperature areas of the enclosure surface, and then an artificial neural network is established to obtain the highest temperature inside the GIS. These methods only consider the temperature under steady-state conditions, and the temperature signals collected by sensors are different, which leads to low accuracy and weak generality. This paper investigated the transient temperature evolution characteristics defined as a sequence of temperature values over time, and adopted them as new features. The steady and transient enclosure and environment temperature data were used to train the Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) for the inside busbar temperature inversion. Experimental tests proved that the proposed method has a higher accuracy compared to traditional characteristic parameters, especially for the less significant temperature rise. This article provides a technical means for determining the internal temperature rise status of GIS equipment through external temperature monitoring in practical applications.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Prodigiosin Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Insights from Phenotypic Validation and Network Pharmacology

  Bioorganic Chemistry · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A novel post-combined prestressed continuous composite bridge deck system for mitigating cracking in the negative bending moment region: Experiment, numerical simulation, and theoretical analysis

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Fusobacterium nucleatum-reprogrammed adipocytes promote tumor cisplatin resistance through the CCL2-CCR2 axis in the necrotic metastatic neck nodes of head and neck carcinoma

  Cell Communication and Signaling · 2025-11-23

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Background Necrosis plays a pivotal role in the development of cisplatin resistance in metastatic neck lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the precise mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Methods We employed qPCR and DNA in situ hybridization to detect Fusobacterium nucleatum ( F. nucleatum ) in postoperative tissue specimens from node-positive HNSCC patients. Transcriptomic sequencing was performed to analyze gene expression changes in adipocytes following F. nucleatum co-culture. RNA and protein expression alterations were validated via qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Additionally, subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were utilized for in vivo validation. Results F. nucleatum was found to preferentially colonize necrotic neck lymph nodes in HNSCC and infiltrate adjacent adipocytes. In vitro, F. nucleatum induced the formation of cancer-associated adipocytes via autocrine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), which stimulated lipolysis and enhanced free fatty acid release. Paracrine CCL2 further drove glutathione accumulation and cisplatin resistance in HNSCC by upregulating solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11). Notably, C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) antagonist, RS504393, effectively reversed these F. nucleatum -mediated pro-tumor effects. In vivo studies further confirmed the role of F. nucleatum -reprogrammed adipocytes and the therapeutic potential of RS504393. Conclusion This study is the first to elucidate the crucial involvement of F. nucleatum in shaping cancer-associated adipocytes within the HNSCC microenvironment. F. nucleatum -reprogrammed adipocytes enhance cisplatin resistance via the CCL2-CCR2 axis, offering new therapeutic avenues to overcome chemotherapy resistance in necrotic neck lymph nodes. Graphical Abstract Fusobacterium nucleatum ( F. nucleatum ) drives the transformation of adipocytes into a cancer-associated phenotype via autocrine CCL2 signaling. This process increases free fatty acid release to fuel tumor progression by enhancing lipolysis through the activation of CREB/HSL phosphorylation. Additionally, paracrine CCL2 from F. nucleatum -reprogrammed adipocytes upregulates SLC1A5 and SLC7A11 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), leading to glutathione (GSH) accumulation and cisplatin resistance. Pharmacological inhibition of CCR2 with RS504393 attenuates both cancer-associated adipocyte formation and cisplatin resistance, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the CCL2-CCR2 axis in HNSCC.

  PublisherDOI

• Near-infrared-mediated theranostics of colorectal cancer: Recent advances and perspectives

  Health engineering. · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Colorectal cancer, as the third major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, remains consistently high lethality, posing a serious challenge to human health. Conventional therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, often suffer from the inherent side effects due to the complex physiological characteristics of the intestinal environment. Near-infrared (NIR) light-activated luminescent nanomaterials offer unique advantages such as high spatial resolution of imaging, deep penetration to the tissue, easy functionality, which have recently been widely used for colon cancer theranostics. This review delves into the recent advancements in the realm of NIR-mediated colon cancer nano-theranostics, underscoring the distinctive merits of these strategies. Additionally, it critically examines the existing challenges and anticipates future opportunities within this burgeoning field. By presenting a comprehensive overview of the latest developments, this review aims to equip researchers with timely and pertinent information, thereby fostering the vibrant growth and innovation of NIR-mediated nanomedicine.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Complex of intratumoral mycobiome and bacteriome predicts the recurrence of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

  Applied and Environmental Microbiology · 2025-02-21 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Dysbiosis of intratumoral fungal and bacterial communities is associated with poor prognosis in various cancers. However, the mycobiome characteristics in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and its correlation with recurrence have not yet been investigated. The mycobiome in 80 LSCC samples was characterized using internal transcribed spacer sequencing, encompassing both tumor tissues and their matched para-cancerous tissues. The intratumoral bacteriome was further identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. These two microbial communities were analyzed using bioinformatics and statistical methods to determine its potential correlation with LSCC recurrence. The fungal alpha diversity in tumors was higher compared with that in para-cancerous tissues ( P < 0.001). A significant difference in the overall fungal community patterns between tumor tissues and para-cancerous tissues was observed based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity ( P < 0.001). The presence of Alloprevotella , Porphyromonas , Candida , and Fusarium in tumors exhibited a correlation with alcohol consumption. The relative abundance of Penicillium , Exophiala , and Aspergillus in the mycobiome, as well as that of Alloprevotella , Porphyromonas , and Peptostreptococcus in the bacteriome significantly increased the risk of LSCC recurrence ( P < 0.05). These six microorganisms can combine to form a microbial complex , which may independently contribute to recurrence risk in patients with LSCC when enriched within the tumor (hazard ratio = 6.844, P < 0.01). Intratumoral fungi and bacteria can be valuable indicators for assessing recurrence in patients with LSCC, indicating their potential as valuable targets for therapeutic intervention. IMPORTANCE Our results revealed that dysbiosis of intratumoral microbiota, including increased fungal community diversity and overgrowth of several fungal or bacterial organisms, is substantially linked to the recurrence of LSCC. Drinking habits might alter the laryngeal microbiota to influence the recurrence of LSCC. We also explored a method to potentially predict the recurrence of LSCC from a novel perspective. These findings could offer insights into the etiology of LSCC and pave way to prevent and treat LSCC.

  PublisherDOI

• High-areal-capacity Na-ion battery electrode with high energy and power densities by simultaneous electrospinning-spraying fabrication

  Energy & Environmental Science · 2025-01-01 · 12 citations

  article

  We present an electrode fabrication technique by concurrent electrospinning of CNTF conductive backbones and electrospraying carbon-coated Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 onto identical substrates, providing energy and power densities comparable to those of lithium-ion batteries.

  PublisherDOI

• High-areal-capacity Na-ion battery electrode with uncompromised energy and power densities by simultaneous electrospinning-spraying fabrication

  arXiv (Cornell University) · 2024-08-21 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are cost-effective alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but their low energy density remains a challenge. Current electrode designs fail to simultaneously achieve high areal loading, high active content, and superior performance. In response, this work introduces an ideal electrode structure, featuring a continuous conductive network with active particles securely trapped in the absence of binder, fabricated using a universal technique that combines electrospinning and electrospraying (co-ESP). We found that the particle size must be larger than the network's pores for optimised performance, an aspect overlooked in previous research. The free-standing co-ESP Na2V3(PO4)3 (NVP) cathodes demonstrated state-of-the-art 296 mg cm-2 areal loading with 97.5 wt.% active content, as well as remarkable rate-performance and cycling stability. Co-ESP full cells showed uncompromised energy and power densities (231.6 Wh kg-1 and 7152.6 W kg-1), leading among reported SIBs with industry-relevant areal loadings. The structural merit is analysed using multi-scale X-ray computed tomography, providing valuable design insights.Finally, the superior performance is validated in the pouch cells, highlighting the electrode's scalability and potential for commercial application.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Influence of polyethylene pipe butt fusion welding in ultrasonic non-destructive testing

  Journal of Physics Conference Series · 2024-09-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Butt fusion welding is a commonly used manufacturing method for polyethylene pipes. To investigate the influence of butt fusion welding on oblique ultrasonic wave in ultrasonic non-destructive testing, a numerical simulation model was established for polyethylene pipe with welding joints. Wave propagation in the polyethylene pipe was analysed, which showed that there exist longitudinal and shear waves propagating and their mode conversion. Detection signals of pipes with different defects and different acoustic attenuations were calculated. The special structure of welding joint was then modelled. Results show that the signal response declines with acoustic attenuation coefficient. Butt welding joints, especially the inner joints, would affect waves propagation. Finally, the welding process of polyethylene pipes was also simulated. The influence of cooling time was discussed, which indicated that insufficient cooling time would cause thermal residual stress and then alter the ultrasonic signal.

  PublisherDOI

• Diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma cell-free DNA combined with VEGF-C in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

  Molecular and Cellular Probes · 2023-01-19 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) can be utilized to detect cancer and predict its prognosis. However, their potential application in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the diagnostic and prognostic value of cfDNA and VEGF-C in LSCC patients. METHODS: The plasma cfDNA of 148 LSCC patients and 43 non-tumor patients were isolated. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to assess long and short DNA fragments in plasma by amplifying the ALU repeats. ALU-qPCR results (ALU247/ALU115) were used to calculate cfDNA integrity index. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) level was detected by ELISA assay. Correlation between cfDNA and clinical features was analyzed. For detecting the sensitivity and specificity of cfDNA and VEGF-C alone or in combination for diagnosing LSCC, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was established. For evaluating the overall survival (OS) of LSCC, Kaplan-Meier curves were established. RESULTS: LSCC patients had significantly higher levels of plasma cfDNA (ALU115, ALU247, and cfDNA integrity index) and VEGF-C than those without cancer (p < 0.05), showing area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.79, 0.74, 0.62 and 0.80, when cutoff value was correspondingly defined at 2.14 ng/mL, 1.39 ng/mL, 0.73 and 412.90 pg/mL, respectively. The AUC for distinguishing LSCC patients from non-tumor patients by plasma cfDNA combined with VEGF-C was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83-0.94). A significant correlation was found between plasma cfDNA levels and Ki-67, tumor size, pT stage, and smoking history (p < 0.05). Based on survival analysis, low VEGF-C concentration groups had longer OS than those with high VEGF-C concentration (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Indicators such as plasma cfDNA and VEGF-C may be used to diagnose and monitor LSCC for its noninvasiveness and rapid accessibility.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Jong Hyun Choi

  Purdue University West Lafayette

  20 shared

• Jing Pan

  Inner Mongolia University of Technology

  16 shared

• Haorong Chen

  Guangdong Medical College

  8 shared

• Hua Zhang

  Yunnan Environmental Protection Bureau

  8 shared

• Tae‐Gon Cha

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  8 shared

• Xin Zhang

  Chinese Academy of Sciences

  6 shared

• Jun-Jing Han

  Tianjin Normal University

  4 shared

• Hengming Qiu

  Purdue University West Lafayette

  3 shared

Awards & honors

• 2025 Faculty and Staff awards celebrate excellence across Pu…