The Kavli Frontiers of Sciences symposia is the Academy’s premiere activity for distinguished young scientists. A committee of NAS members selected the participants from early-career researchers who have made recognized contributions to science. More than 6,000 young scientists have participated since the program’s founding in 1989. Li attended the U.S. Symposium in Irvine, California on March 7-9, 2024.

Li was recognized for her work in high-performing sustainable materials to develop carbon-neutral technologies. Her research group is redesigning natural materials, like wood, in order to establish a toolbox of materials for sustainable solutions for the carbon drawdown, across energy, water, environment and devices. She has received a $958,000 grant from ARPA-E to develop this "living wood" with the strength of steel, self-healing capabilities and combined carbon-sequestering benefits from wood and microbes. She is also a Packard Fellow, receiving $875,000 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in 2022.