Robert L. Li, MD, PhD
Accepting New Patients

Robert L. Li, MD, PhD

  • Endocrinology
Average rating: 4.9
 
Torrance Specialty Care |

About

Dr. Li grew up in Long Island, NY. After moving to California, he attended the California Institute of Technology where he graduated with honors as a double major in biology and computer science. He then moved to Dallas to start the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. In addition to studying medicine, Dr. Li performed research on the hormone causes of obesity in the lab of Drs. Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein, joint recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1985. After graduating with both MD and PhD degrees, Dr. Li moved to Chicago where he completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In 2016, Dr. Li moved back to LA to start Endocrinology fellowship at UCLA.

During his fellowship, Dr. Li received training in all areas of clinical endocrinology and continued to perform basic science research as a postdoctoral scholar in the lab of Dr. Stephen Young. He joined the UCLA faculty in 2018 after finishing his fellowship.

Dr. Li has published in top journals including Cell Metabolism, Science Translational Medicine, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In his clinical practice at the UCLA South Bay Endocrine, Thyroid and Diabetes Center, Dr. Li aims to integrate his scientific research experience and his medical knowledge along with his compassion for patients to provide cutting edge care.

Dr. Li's practice includes diabetes, thyroid disease, metabolic disease, obesity, adrenal disease, disorders of sex hormones including testosterone and estrogen, pituitary disease, and bone disease. Dr. Li also performs thyroid ultrasounds and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations of thyroid nodules on a regular basis.

In his free time, Dr. Li enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. In addition to English, he is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Languages

English

Education

Medical Board Certifications

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2018
Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2016

Fellowship

Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, UCLA School of Medicine, 2018

Residency

Internal Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2016

Degrees

PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2013
MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 2013

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Medical Services

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

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Reviews

Overall Rating:
4.9
335 total ratings | 57 reviews
5.0
May 29, 2025
Dr. Li listened, was attentive to my questions as always
5.0
May 29, 2025
Answered all questions, explained treatment and very easy to communicate with
5.0
May 28, 2025
On time , fast check in , Dr. Li is very knowledgeable , kind and friendly , took his time to explain everything about my medical issue .
5.0
May 26, 2025
Efficient productive and professional
5.0
May 23, 2025
Dr. Li is awesome and always make me comfortable and when he tells me everything is fine and that I am healthy it relieves my anxiety and tension