Shuai Li is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, a joint faculty of mechanical, aerospace, and biomedical engineering, and an affiliated faculty at the Institute for a Secure & Sustainable Environment, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He graduated from Purdue University with a PhD degree in civil engineering, and three master's degrees in construction engineering and management, industrial engineering, and economics. He also holds two bachelor’s degrees in hydroelectric engineering and project management from Tianjin University.

Li conducts convergence use-inspired research to advance AI-enabled, human-centric, and digital twin-based cyber-physical systems to transform the paradigms in construction, manufacturing, infrastructure system operation, community and city management, and healthcare. Li’s research has been supported by National Science Foundation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, United States Geological Survey, and leading information technology companies.

Li has received multiple professional awards including Chancellor's Award for Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement Award, David Goodpasture Endowed Faculty Award, Tickle College of Engineering Professional Promise in Research Award, and Success in Multidisciplinary Research Award from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Collingwood Prize from American Society of Civil Engineers, Best Paper Award from the Journal of Building and Environment, and Outstanding Reviewer Recognition for the Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering.