Zijing Li

Zijing Li is co-founder and COO of Mimicrete Ltd, a company that is developing sustainable and resilient construction materials for the future. With a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Cambridge, Liz’s passion for sustainability led her from academic research to entrepreneurship.

Her research in biomimetic materials and vascular self-healing concrete forms the core technology of Mimicrete Ltd. As a self-monitoring system for concrete in the built environment, Zijing’s system will be capable of diagnosing degradation, healing damage, improving safety and reducing carbon emissions as well as informing engineers about the need for remote operations and long-term maintenance.

Working in the men-dominant construction industry, as a woman scientist, engineer and entrepreneur, Zijing has overcome pervasive stereotypes and is motivated to inspire the next generation of women leaders.

She believes the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award will provide her with mentoring, training and practical opportunities to grow her business, trial her exciting solution and transform this engineering technology into an impactful real world application.

Zijing’s advice to those starting out? “Follow your passion and make brave choices, no matter how difficult it may look at the beginning.”