Brendan Li — Northern Virginia
Biochemistry, sustainable materials, and neuroscience research — plus two ventures and a nonprofit built around them.
About
I study enzyme inhibitors at Purdue, engineer biodegradable materials in my own lab space, analyze brainwave data at Georgetown, and run a sustainability startup and a registered nonprofit alongside it.
More about me
Selected as 1 of 35 researchers from 5,000+ applicants for the Summer Science Program biochemistry track at Purdue. 330+ hours modeling CDC14 serine phosphatase in MOE and RStudio across 35+ molecules — inhibitor docking and homology models aimed at blocking fungal growth — ending in a full research paper and poster presentation.
Explore the research
Independent research investigating the fabrication and physicochemical characterization of a novel glycerol-plasticized chitosan-starch biopolymer composite. 1st Place at the Virginia & Invention DC state level, 2nd Place at the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, and a Prototype Award at the Invention Virginia Expo — patent pending.
Explore the research
An independent experimental study of how occlusive agents change leaf transpiration and water retention in highbush blueberry, using controlled mass-loss protocols and statistical comparison. Published in The Curieux Academic Review, December 2025.
Explore the researchVerdureVeil hydrates plants without water and reaches 500+ customers across California, Texas, and Singapore. StellaShield cools buildings passively with a gel layer set between two panes of glass.
Explore the venturesThree areas
Biochemistry at Purdue, chitosan materials engineering, plant science, and NIH-funded neuroscience.
VerdureVeil and StellaShield — two sustainability ventures built from prototype to market.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit using racquet sports to build community and expand access.
Highlights
CDC14 Serine Phosphatase Inhibitor Design
Summer Science Program · Purdue · 2026
Fabrication and Physicochemical Characterization of a Novel Glycerol-Plasticized Chitosan-Starch Biopolymer Composite
Materials Engineering · 1st Place State · Patent Pending
Occlusives and Transpiration in Vaccinium corymbosum
Plant Science · Published · Curieux Academic Review
Aphasia Representational Similarity Analysis
Neuroscience · Georgetown University · NIH Lab
AI Avatars in Instructional Video
AI in Education · Purdue University
VerdureVeil
Sustainability · CEO & Founder · 2025 — Present
StellaShield
Clean Tech · COO & Co-Founder · 2024 — Present
Match Point Foundation
Nonprofit · Founder · 2025 — Present
Belong! Vienna Community Nonprofit
Youth Education · 2023 — Present
Fairfax Relay For Life
Fundraising · Team Lead · 2025 — Present
Peer Mentoring & Tutoring
Mentorship · Chantilly High School
Research, engineering and community collaborations.
