Jian Li is an international authority in antimicrobial discovery and development. He has led multiple impactful research programs to combat life-threatening bacterial ‘superbugs’. His internationally recognised systematic pharmacology research has resulted in the development of a novel antibiotic drug from concept to clinical trials. His research has also led to the first dosing guidelines for the last-defence polymyxin antibiotics and significantly improved clinical anti-microbial practice globally. Li has shown outstanding strategic leadership in building strong university-industry-hospital linkages and held multiple leadership positions in international societies. He is a passionate advocate for commercialisation and clinical translation of biomedical discoveries.