The work of Zimai Li (any pronoun) lives at the intersection of science and art.
A biologist by training and a complex system enthusiast by heart, Zimai studies the individual and group behaviour of animals, from insects, birds, to mammals. Their research involves simple observations and computational tools.
Parallel to their research, Zimai found their artistic language built from lines, a practice rooted in early training in Chinese calligraphy. Their artworks weave together personal narrative with reflections on scientific themes and social issues, creating a unique dialogue between analytical thinking and emotions.
Currently based in Berlin, Zimai has just completed a PhD in Ecology on collective behaviour in ant societies.
Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in Ecology
01.2021 - 11.2025
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Germany
Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
Master of Science in Evolutionary Biology
09.2018 - 10.2020
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering
09.2013 - 07.2017
Southeast University, China