Yonghui Li

yonghui li

Professor

14 Waters Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-4061
yonghui@ksu.edu

Area(s) of Specialization

  • Grain Protein Chemistry and Applications.
  • Bioactive Compounds and Peptides.
  • Bakery Science and Chemistry.
  • Applied AI and Machine Learning.
Google Scholar
Cereal Chemistry Laboratory

Bio Brief

Dr. Yonghui Li is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Grain and Food Science at Kansas State University, where he leads a research program focused on food protein science. His research advances the understanding of grain proteins and bioactive peptides, spanning molecular structure, chemistry, modification, and functional performance, to enable the development of next-generation grain-based foods, functional ingredients, and nutraceuticals. His lab integrates experimental food chemistry, engineering, computational modeling, and AI and machine learning to address fundamental scientific questions while developing practical solutions for the grain and food industries.

Since joining the faculty in 2016, Dr. Li has secured more than $5 million in research funding as the lead PI and an additional $2.5 million as co-PI from sources such as the USDA, NSF, commodity commissions and checkoff programs, and partners across the grain and food industries. He has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed journal articles, holds three patents, and has edited three books.

Dr. Li serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Food Science (Institute of Food Technologists, since 2023), Cereal Chemistry (Cereals & Grains Association, since 2023), and Sustainable Food Proteins (American Oil Chemists' Society, since 2025). He also serves on the editorial boards of several international journals, hold leadership positions in professional scientific organizations, and participates in national and international grant review panels, contributing to the advancement of food science research worldwide.

Classes Currently Taught:

  • GRSC 405 – Grain Analysis Techniques.
  • GRSC 850 – Grain Protein Chemistry & Technology.
  • GRSC 920 – Graduate Seminar.