Dr. Li Xiao, PhD, is the Technical Director of Research and Development in the UAB Diagnostic Mycoplasma Lab. She is a key opinion leader in mycoplasma research. She has a broad background in molecular biology and genetics, with specific training in Mycoplasmology. She has developed real-time PCR methods for detecting Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species as well as for detecting macrolide resistant M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium in clinical specimens. These assays are currently being used in the UAB Diagnostic Mycoplasma Laboratory for diagnostic purposes. She has also performed comparative genomic studies of M. pneumoniae and Ureaplasma species, investigated pathogenesis, and mechanisms of drug resistance in different mycoplasma species. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, review articles, and book chapters. She was awarded the Peter Hannan award in Applied and Clinical Mycoplasmology by the International Organization for Mycoplasmology (IOM), served as the Chair of Division G (Mycoplasma) of the American Society for Microbiology and the Scientific Program Committee Chair for the IOM 2018 Congress.
