The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) is excited to welcome Dr. Shiwen “Sherlock” Li as an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology.

Dr. Li’s research focuses on environmental chemical pollutants and their impact on human health, particularly how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” affect brain and liver health. His work takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining geospatial analysis, molecular methods, and experimental studies to better understand how environmental exposures contribute to disease.

Before joining UH Mānoa, Dr. Li earned his PhD and MPH in Epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. His research interests extend across the lifespan, including birth outcomes, pediatric sleep health, liver diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer.

“I am excited to build a strong environmental epidemiology research program that offers meaningful research opportunities for students and drives real-world impact,” said Dr. Li.

Dr. Li is teaching PH 341: Public Health Biology and Pathophysiology and will teach PH 656: Biostatistics II next semester. His long-term goal is to build local research capacity to test for chemical pollutant burdens among Hawai‘i residents and assess their potential health effects to foster research that supports both human and environmental health across the islands.

“Dr. Li is a wonderful addition to our faculty and we are thrilled to have him join us with his expertise and interests in this topic area,” said Dr. Tetine Sentell, Director of the Department of Public Health Sciences.