Fan Li, PhD

Dr. Fan Li’s background is in diabetes nursing research, with specific training and expertise in non-interventional studies and advanced data analysis. She earned her doctoral degree from the College of Nursing at UMSL and has over 10 years of experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with international scholars. Dr. Li’s research has identified risk factors for sexual dysfunction in female Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Her research has also examined the effect of Diabetes Conversation Maps-based education on blood glucose control and psychosocial outcomes in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. During the pandemic, her research examined psychosocial responses among nurses and physicians in the U.S. and China from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Dr. Li is actively engaged in diabetes and prediabetes research. She has published 20 papers and has presented her research nationally and internationally. 

Education

• 2019 – 2022, Ph.D., Nursing, University of Missouri – St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, US
• 2017 – 2018, Graduate Courses, Nutrition, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, US
• 2012 – 2015, MMed, Nursing, College of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
• 2010 – 2012, BS, Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
• 2008 – 2010, Associate Degree Courses, Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational College, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China

Research Interests

• Dr. Li’s research focuses on prediabetes and diabetes prevention and management. She is interested in partnering with the community to (1) identify risk factors associated with the onset of prediabetes in youth and (2) develop, implement, and evaluate a sustainable community program to prevent prediabetes in this population.  

Selected Grants

Co-Investigator, Statistician

Addressing Non-suicidal Self-Injury Practice Guidelines: Current State of Affairs.

PI: Brandie M. Smalley, PhD, Maryville University

Funded by Project/Research Grant. American Psychiatric Nurses Association, APNA Illinois Chapter, $2,500, 2023

Selected Publications

1. Li, F., Gu, H., Tokac, U., Werner, K., Fish, A. F., & Lou, Q. (2024). A multi-sample path analysis including a novel psychological indicator, attitude toward life, after the first wave of COVID-19. Sage Open Nursing. 10. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231215580 
2. Li, F., Gu, C., Hu, Y., Vandermause, R., Fish, A. F., Zhou, Z., Yuan, X., Zhou, Q., Zhu, J., & Lou, Q. (2023). For the Good of the People: An interpretive analysis of Chinese volunteerism in the critical matter of care at the start of the pandemic. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. 18, 2231684. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2231684 
3. Li, F., Tokac, U., Werner, K., Fish, A. F., & Lou, Q. (2022). Determination of key inflection points for maladaptive responses in US nurses during the pandemic: A network analysis. SAGE Open Nursing. 8, 1-10. http://doi.org/1177/23779608221140719 
4. Li, F., Wang, Y., Xiao, L., Lou, Q., & Fish, A. F. (2016). Frequency, severity, and risk factors related to sexual dysfunction in Chinese women with T2D. Journal of Diabetes, 8, 544-551. http://doi.org/10.1111/1753-0407.12335 
5. Li, F., Yao, P., Hsue, C., Xu, J., & Lou, Q. (2016). Impact of “conversation maps” on diabetes distress and self-efficacy of Chinese adult patients with type 2 diabetes: A pilot study. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10, 901-908. http://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S95449 

Selected Presentations

1. Li, F., Xue M., & Lou, Q. (2025, October 15) Fat distribution by MRI: Associations with insulin resistance and β-cell function in non-obese Chinese with type 2 diabetes [Paper presentation]. The 18th Annual Multidisciplinary Research Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, United States. 
2. Smalley, B., Gramke, L., Vandermause, R. K., Li, F., & Fish, A. (2025, April). Addressing Nonsuicidal self-injury practice guidelines: Current state of affairs [Paper presentation]. The 2025 American Psychiatric Nurses Association Chapter Conference, Chicago, Illinois, United States. 
3. Li, F., Tokac, U., Lou, Q, & Fish, A. F. (2024, February 28 - March 2) A path analysis of insulin injection practice and clinical outcomes with highlights of practice change between 2010 and 2017 in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes [Paper presentation]. Midwest Nursing Research Society 48th Annual Research Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.  

Other Scholarly Activities

PLOS One: Academic journal reviewer 

Honors and Awards

• 2022, Mary Reardon Castles Award, College of Nursing, University of Missouri – St. Louis
• 2015, Travel Award, International Diabetes Federal, travel to World Diabetes Congress

Memberships

• 2022 – 2026, American Diabetes Association 
• 2022 – 2026, Midwest Nursing Research Society 
• 2020 – 2021, Midwest Nursing Research Society