Janet Z. Li

Janet Z. Li is a dedicated researcher in Clinical Neuropsychology, currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Drexel University, where her research focuses on the interplay between the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAN), two key brain systems involved in attention and cognitive control. Using real-time fMRI covert neurofeedback, she investigates how individual-specific subnetwork topographies influence mind-wandering and sustained attention, aiming to establish a causal link between DMN-DAN anticorrelation and attentional performance. She is also undergoing clinical training at Drexel’s Psychological Services Center. Before her Ph.D., Janet earned her M.Sc. in Medical Science (Collaborative Program in Neuroscience) from the University of Toronto, where she explored the brain-behavioral relationship in pain modulation at the Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital. Her research utilized functional neuroimaging and advanced quantitative analysis to understand the neural mechanisms underlying pain perception. She was a recipient of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2023/2024) and won multiple research presentation awards. Janet’s academic journey began with an H.BSc. in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Toronto, where she graduated with distinction. She gained early research experience at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Toronto General Hospital, conducting research on neonatal stroke outcomes and kidney transplantation rates. Beyond her research, Janet is a figure skater, pianist, and content creator. When she isn’t pursuing her research and clinical endeavors, she enjoys sipping lattes in cafes and taking long city walks.