Jiao Jiao is a biomedical engineer leading a research program in regenerative medicine, which pioneers combinational approaches including stem cells, extracellular vesicles, bioactive materials, and nanomaterials to treat chronic diseases, particularly bone and joint disorders. Her research is enabled by connections with universities, international collaborators, industry partners, and patient groups. She loves bringing people together with different backgrounds, identities, skills and experiences to jointly solve medical challenges, and passing on the passion of creating STEM solutions to the next generation.

Jiao Jiao’s work has attracted fellowships from the Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation and National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC), as well as numerous awards such as 2024 Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science, 2023 Metcalf Prize for Stem Cell Research, 2022 Premier’s Prize for NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Physical Sciences) and 2022 NSW Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year. She has served on the STA Board in 2022-25, and currently serves as Board Director of Australian Institute of Policy & Science and as a member of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Advisory Committee. Previously she was Co-Deputy Director and a chief investigator on the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering. She was trained through a combined Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (Honours I with University Medal)/Bachelor of Medical Science and PhD from the University of Sydney.

Jiao Jiao is always passionate about volunteering for outreach programs to promote STEM and her field to the public community and younger generations. Born and raised overseas, she also strongly advocates for women with culturally diverse backgrounds in STEM research.

Dr Jiao Jiao Li is a Superstar of STEM.