Dongli arrived in the UK more than ten years ago to study in Birmingham. She obtained bachelors' degrees in Electronics and Communications engineering for both the Huazhong University of Science and Technology and the University of Birmingham. Dongli followed on to do research and obtain a PhD for the University of Oxford in the field of cancer therapeutics. She followed on to research the field of Parkinson's, developing and patenting a new technology to help people with Parkinson's to walk better. This has led to the creation of gaitQ, a University of Oxford spinout. The technology underwent several rounds of testing with over 50 people with Parkinson's and showed positive results in helping them overcome debilitating walking difficulties. The spinout company has obtained significant support from the NHS and undergone two rounds of investments raising about 2 million pounds and is on its way to its first commercial release in 2022. She has earned multiple prizes, including Microsoft Cognitive Services API Prize, EIT Health Proof-of-Concept Award, University of Oxford Tri-Innovate, Carnegie Mellon University Outstanding Student Prize, Invited Junior Chair of the International Symposium for Therapeutic Ultrasound and AHSN/Biocity Best Startup.