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Overview
I am a postdoctoral researcher at Cardiff University School of Medicine , where I investigate the molecular mechanisms driving tumor progression to facilitate the development of targeted therapies. My research bridges the gap between fundamental cancer biology and clinical application, focusing on how complex protein networks regulate the survival and dissemination of cancer cells.
My current research investigates the mechanistic roles of the STRIPAK signaling complex and intracellular transporters in solid cancers. I am particularly interested in how these pathways modulate autophagy and cellular ageing—fundamental processes that drive tumor progression, regulate drug responses, and maintain cell barrier integrity.
By integrating advanced molecular techniques with translational strategies, I aim to uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities that can be exploited to improve cancer patient outcomes. Alongside my research, I am an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) and a FHEA candidate, and am committed to academic mentorship and fostering international research collaborations.
Publication
2026
- Chen, D. Y. et al., 2026. SRS387 - MLN64/StarD3 and StarD3NL in pancreatic cancer [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.343. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.343)
- Li, A. X. et al. 2026. SRS126 - MLN64 and StarD3NL highly correlated with the autophagy marker SQSTM1 and BECN1 in breast cancer, and indicate prognostic and therapeutic potential [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.122. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.122)
- McKenna, M. et al. 2026. SRS85 Patey Prize Entrant - hENT1 inhibition as a strategy to overcome fluoropyrimidine resistance in colorectal cancer [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.005. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.005)
- O’Neill, N. et al. 2026. SRS359 - A novel association between disialoganglioside (GD2), GD2 synthesising enzymes and the Angiomotin family in breast cancer [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.318. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.318)
- Xiang, H. et al. 2026. SRS133 - Nucleolin (NCL) in clinical breast cancer, the prognostic and therapeutic implications [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.129. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.129)
- Cong, B. et al., 2026. MLN51 (Metastatic Lymph Node Gene 51)/CASC3 (Cancer Susceptibility Candidate Gene 3), A putative tumour suppressor in breast cancer, the clinical and therapeutic connections. Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy 18 (2026), pp.1-17. (10.2147/BCTT.S565199)
- Cong, B. et al., 2026. MLN51 (metastatic lymph node gene 51)/CASC3 (cancer susceptibility candidate gene 3), a putative tumour suppressor in breast cancer, the clinical and therapeutic connections. Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy 18 (10.2147/bctt.s565199)
- Li, A. X. et al. 2026. Targeting the MLN64/STARD3-cholesterol axis disrupts tight junction remodelling and attenuates gastric cancer aggressiveness. Frontiers in Oncology (10.3389/fonc.2026.1913732)
2025
- Li, X. 2025. Molecular targeting striatins (STRNs) in connection with the Stripak complex in human solid cancers. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
2024
- Li, A. X. et al. 2024. Metastatic Lymph Node 64 (MLN64) expression in gastric cancer, the clinical and molecular implications in drug resistance. Cancer Genomics & Proteomics 21 (1), pp.30-40. (10.21873/cgp.20427)
2023
- Zhuang, X. et al., 2023. Expression of Claudin-9 (CLDN9) in breast cancer, the clinical significance in connection with its subcoat anchorage proteins ZO-1 and ZO-3 and impact on drug resistance. Biomedicines 11 (12) 3136. (10.3390/biomedicines11123136)
- Li, A. X. et al. 2023. Striatins and the STRIPAK complex partners in the clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer and responses to drug treatment. Chinese Journal of Cancer Research 35 , pp.365-385. (10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2023.04.04)
Articles
- Chen, D. Y. et al., 2026. SRS387 - MLN64/StarD3 and StarD3NL in pancreatic cancer [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.343. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.343)
- Li, A. X. et al. 2026. SRS126 - MLN64 and StarD3NL highly correlated with the autophagy marker SQSTM1 and BECN1 in breast cancer, and indicate prognostic and therapeutic potential [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.122. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.122)
- McKenna, M. et al. 2026. SRS85 Patey Prize Entrant - hENT1 inhibition as a strategy to overcome fluoropyrimidine resistance in colorectal cancer [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.005. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.005)
- O’Neill, N. et al. 2026. SRS359 - A novel association between disialoganglioside (GD2), GD2 synthesising enzymes and the Angiomotin family in breast cancer [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.318. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.318)
- Xiang, H. et al. 2026. SRS133 - Nucleolin (NCL) in clinical breast cancer, the prognostic and therapeutic implications [Abstract]. British Journal of Surgery 113 (S2) znag018.129. (10.1093/bjs/znag018.129)
- Cong, B. et al., 2026. MLN51 (Metastatic Lymph Node Gene 51)/CASC3 (Cancer Susceptibility Candidate Gene 3), A putative tumour suppressor in breast cancer, the clinical and therapeutic connections. Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy 18 (2026), pp.1-17. (10.2147/BCTT.S565199)
- Cong, B. et al., 2026. MLN51 (metastatic lymph node gene 51)/CASC3 (cancer susceptibility candidate gene 3), a putative tumour suppressor in breast cancer, the clinical and therapeutic connections. Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy 18 (10.2147/bctt.s565199)
- Li, A. X. et al. 2026. Targeting the MLN64/STARD3-cholesterol axis disrupts tight junction remodelling and attenuates gastric cancer aggressiveness. Frontiers in Oncology (10.3389/fonc.2026.1913732)
- Li, A. X. et al. 2024. Metastatic Lymph Node 64 (MLN64) expression in gastric cancer, the clinical and molecular implications in drug resistance. Cancer Genomics & Proteomics 21 (1), pp.30-40. (10.21873/cgp.20427)
- Zhuang, X. et al., 2023. Expression of Claudin-9 (CLDN9) in breast cancer, the clinical significance in connection with its subcoat anchorage proteins ZO-1 and ZO-3 and impact on drug resistance. Biomedicines 11 (12) 3136. (10.3390/biomedicines11123136)
- Li, A. X. et al. 2023. Striatins and the STRIPAK complex partners in the clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer and responses to drug treatment. Chinese Journal of Cancer Research 35 , pp.365-385. (10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2023.04.04)
Thesis
- Li, X. 2025. Molecular targeting striatins (STRNs) in connection with the Stripak complex in human solid cancers. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
Biography
Education and qualifications:
- 2022, BSc, University of Bristol, School of Life Sciences
- 2025, PhD, Cardiff University School of Medicine
Career overview:
- 2025 - present: CK Lau funded Postdoctoral Researcher, Cardiff University School of Medicine
Honours and awards
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) – awarded November 2025
- CK Lau foundation funded post-doctoral position 2025
- Finalist for PGR Student Excellent Impact & Innovation award 2025
- Taith - China-MEDIC Research Mobility Fund 2025
- HCARE & MEDIC Research Culture Fund 2024
- Early Career Researcher Travel Fund: 2022-2023 Cardiff University Division of Cancer and Genetics
- William Morgan Thomas Fund: 2022-2023
- M E Williams Fund: 2022-2023
Professional memberships
- European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
- British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy (BSGCT)
- Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC) Early and Mid-Career Researchers Network