Alice (Wenchao) Li, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Senior Epidemiologist
Dr. Li is a senior epidemiologist with a diverse research background and expertise in statistical analysis, systematic review, and epidemiology study design and quality evaluation. At Gradient, she works on a variety of projects involving critical and/or systematic reviews of epidemiology studies on health effects associated with air pollutants or other chemicals. Prior to joining Gradient, Dr. Li was a doctoral student at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where she designed and conducted epidemiology studies on nutrition and cardiovascular disease risk factors using a life-course approach. During her doctoral training, she also worked at ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc., as a research intern, where she systematically reviewed the epidemiologic literature on benzene risk assessment and benzene-induced myelodysplastic syndrome and published her findings in a top toxicology journal. Additionally, Dr. Li has cancer research experience from working at the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center.
Study Review of Air Pollutants: Critically reviewed recently published epidemiology, toxicology, and exposure studies of criteria air pollutants. Assessed study quality and validity of study findings.
Study Review of Natural Gas: Systematically reviewed epidemiology studies that evaluate the proximity to unconventional natural gas development and perinatal outcomes. Evaluated study quality and determined weight of evidence.
Review of Chemical Standard and Related Literature: Reviewed benzene standards and systematically reviewed the epidemiology literature on benzene-induced myelodysplastic syndrome.
Systematic Review of Metallic Nickel: Systematically reviewed epidemiology studies of metallic nickel and respiratory cancers. Assessed study quality and validity of study findings.
Epidemiological Methodology Review: Assessed whether appropriate epidemiology methods were used to evaluate a potential pediatric cancer cluster in a military housing complex.
Comments on Chemical Standards: Reviewed and commented on whether the underlying studies and data supported US EPA’s approaches and conclusions in promulgating the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter.
Meta-analysis: Performed a meta-analysis to synthesize findings on the association between personal and ambient air pollutant measurements.
Study Review of Consumer Product: Reviewed epidemiology of the health effects of specific chemicals in consumer products. Assessed study quality and validity of study findings.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Conducted a systematic review of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and all-cause mortality.
Li, W; Chien, J; Cohen, JM. 2025. “The relationship between air lead and blood lead in a modern US lead-acid battery facility: A longitudinal study.” J. Occup. Health 67(1):uiae073. doi: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae073.
Li, W; Zhou, J; Boon, Denali; Fan, T; Anneser, E; Goodman, J; Prueitt, RL. 2024. “Nickel in ambient particulate matter and respiratory or cardiovascular outcomes: A critical review.” Environ. Pollut. 347:123442.
Bus, JS; Su, S; Li, W; Goodman, JE. 2024. “Styrene lung cancer risk assessment: An alternative evaluation of human lung cancer risk assuming mouse lung tumors are potentially human relevant and operating by a threshold-based non-genotoxic mode of action.” J. Toxicol. Environ. Health B Crit. Rev. 27(7):264-286. doi: 10.1080/10937404.2024.2380449.
Boomhower, SR; Long, CL; Li, W; Manidis, TD; Bhatia, A; Goodman, JE. 2022. “A review and analysis of personal and ambient PM2.5 measurements: Implications for epidemiology studies.” Environ. Res. 204(Part B):112019.
Prueitt, RL; Li, W; Edwards, L; Zhou, J; Goodman, JE. 2021. “Systematic review of the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and mortality.” Int. J. Environ. Health Res. 1-39.
Goodman, JE; Li, W; Cox Jr, LA. 2021. “Commentary: Using potential outcomes causal methods to assess whether reductions in PM2.5 result in decreased mortality.” Glob. Epidemiol. 3:100052.
Prueitt, RL; Li, W; Chang, YC; Boffetta, P; Goodman, JE. 2020. “Systematic review of the potential respiratory carcinogenicity of metallic nickel in humans.” Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 50(7):605-639.
Li, W; Schnatter, AR. 2018. “Benzene risk assessment: Does new evidence on myelodysplastic syndrome justify a new approach?” Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 48(6):417-432. doi: 10.1080/10408444.2018.1437389.