Shi-Ming Li

Li has established the largest cohort to study myopia in Chinese children; the Anyang Childhood Eye Study. He hopes to find clinically effective interventions on controlling myopia progression and methods for preventing myopic complications – with an aim to clarify the gene-environment interaction in the etiology of myopia. On the next biggest advance in the next five years, he predicts that “wearable devices combining internet and big data on screening, rapid diagnosis, real-time monitoring and treatment of most ocular diseases,” will be a key feature.

A nominator said: “Shi-Ming Li has devoted himself to myopia research for more than 10 years. He has demonstrated tenacity, persistence and diversity. He was elected as Beijing New Star of Science and Technology (2012) and Beijing outstanding young talent (2014). He has published over 20 papers in peer-reviewed international journals and is also an active reviewer for IOVS, PLOS ONE, Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Human Genetics.”

Part of the Power List 2015

In 2014, we compiled a list of the Top 100 most influential people in ophthalmology – an endeavor that received a significant amount of attention and, it’s fair to say, caused more than a little controversy. For our 2015 Top 40 Under 40 list we’ve taken a different approach, asking: who are the young, up-and-coming individuals set to rise to the top of their field? That’s the question we posed to ourselves – and then to you – ahead of open nominations and a painstaking judging process. Our list this year almost halves the average age of the celebrated individuals, with many of them born in the same year as the iconic Sex Pistols cover – 1977. Though we admit that no list of this type can be definitive, it does clearly show that the future of ophthalmology is very bright indeed. And so, without further ado, we celebrate the movers and shakers aged 40 or under who show what can be achieved with determination, passion and inspiration.

Go to The Power List 2015