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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 7480
Email
li.mei@otago.ac.nz
Position
Professor and Associate Dean (China), Faculty of Dentistry
Department
Department of Oral Sciences
Qualifications
BDS MDS DDS PhD
Research summary
Orthodontics, microbiology, biomaterials, cancers
Teaching
Supervisor for PhD, postgraduate (DClinDent), and undergraduate (BDS and BOH)
Memberships
  • President, International Association of Dental Research (IADR) Orthodontic Group
  • Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) Board of Studies Orthodontics
  • New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA)
  • New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO)
  • European Orthodontic Society (EOS)
  • American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
  • World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO)
  • International Association of Dental Research (IADR)
Clinical
Clinical Lead (Intramural Clinic), Specialist Orthodontist, Clinical supervisor of postgraduates (Doctor of Clinical Dentistry) and undergraduates (Bachelor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Oral Health)

Research

Professor Mei's research interests include biofilms, biomaterials, atomic force microscopy (AFM), randomized controlled trials (RCT), 3D imaging, clear aligners, evidence-based dentistry, halitosis, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), demineralization and remineralization, and oral cancers.

Additional details

PhD projects available

Please contact Professor Mei if you are interested in conducting PhD research in the following areas:

  • Biofilms, bacterial adhesion, microbiota, and microbiome
  • Oral hygiene, enamel demineralization, and remineralization
  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM), biomaterials, and antimicrobial materials
  • Halitosis, clear aligners, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), oral cancers
  • Evidence-based dentistry, systematic review, and meta-analysis
  • Dental education, patient-centred care, and randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Publications

Huang, Z., Guan, G., Zhang, C., Yang, R., Mei, L., & Li, H. (2026). Influence of mask-wearing attitudes on compliance with removable orthodontic devices: A cross-sectional study. Patient Preference & Adherence, 20, 611326. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S611326 Journal - Research Article

Petterson, C., Mei, L., Antoun, J., & Guan, G. (2026). Dental house surgeons: Why they apply, what they do and where to next? Oral Surgery. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ors.70067 Journal - Research Article

Xiang, J., Zhang, Y., Bai, H., He, Y., Zhao, S., Mei, L., Cannon, R. D., … Zhai, Q. (2026). Squamous carcinoma cells drive lipid metabolic reprogramming of macrophages in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by tunneling nanotube-mediated mitochondrial transfer. Journal of the National Cancer Center. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jncc.2026.04.003 Journal - Research Article

Lee, S., Daniel, B. K., Mei, L., Farella, M., & Firth, F. A. (2026). Patients' treatment experiences with orthodontic fixed appliances, clear aligners and direct-to-consumer clear aligners: A qualitative study-part II. Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ocr.70140 Journal - Research Article

Lee, S., Daniel, B., Mei, L., Farella, M., & Firth, F. A. (2026). Orthodontic patients' motivation and decision-making for seeking treatment with traditional fixed appliances, clear aligners and direct-to-consumer clear aligners: A qualitative study: Part I. Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ocr.70126 Journal - Research Article

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