Yunhai Li is a Chinese national and cancer researcher who was caught trying to smuggle sensitive US-funded cancer research from Texas to China
Li worked at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, and authorities managed to stop him at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Who is Yunhai Li, Chinese doctor and researcher accused of stealing top secret US cancer research data
NEW – Chinese University of Texas research student, Yunhai Li, charged for espionage, theft of trade secrets. pic.twitter.com/hGnOXlEmkh
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 26, 2025
🇨🇳🇺🇸 A Chinese national and former research student at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Yunhai Li [Center], faces charges of espionage and theft of trade secrets.
Li allegedly downloaded ~90 gigabytes of sensitive research data, funded by the National… pic.twitter.com/01eIH6YBZp
— Vanguard Intel Group 🛡 (@vanguardintel) August 26, 2025
Authorities reportedly found evidence that Li had uploaded confidential research data to Chinese servers before his arrest, raising concerns over national security.
Yunhai Li accused of smuggling cancer research from US to China
Authorities have arrested a Chinese doctor named Li after they caught him stealing trade secrets and tampering with government records. According to investigators, Li secretly transferred nearly completed cancer research funded by the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense. He was transferring it to personal and Chinese cloud storage accounts. Despite signing non-disclosure agreements, Yunhai Li failed to inform MD Anderson or US authorities about his simultaneous research work with a Chinese hospital. Interestingly, Li had resigned from his work just days before his arrest.
Charges and allegations
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has accused Li of several charges, including stealing sensitive, unpublished cancer research data. According to court documents, Li tried to cover his tracks by deleting files and claimed ownership of the data, saying that it was “going to waste.” Federal investigations are currently still underway and continue, and Li posted a $5,100 bail pending trial. He has since surrendered his passport and currently remains under GPS monitoring.
Yunhai Li biography and age
Yunhai Li is a 35-year-old Chinese doctor who worked as a postdoctoral research scholar in medical science. He was a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center on a US State Department research exchange visa. Yunhai mostly worked on breast cancer vaccine development and had worked with the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University before coming to the US.
Education
Yunhai Li holds advanced degrees in medical science and cancer research and has expertise in oncology and vaccine development. He was a former research student at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Career
Yunhai Li worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2022 until his recent resignation in July 2025. During this time there, he led grant-funded projects on breast cancer treatment that were funded by US federal agencies. While working there, he also maintained employment and research ties with a leading hospital in China. Notably, he did not disclose these to his US employer. His dual roles and unauthorized data transfers have since become the basis of ongoing criminal charges.
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