Gen Li studies the processes that cycle materials and elements in the Earth system and how these make Earth a habitable planet. His research combines laboratory experiments, fieldwork, theory, numerical modeling and remote sensing. Some of his ongoing interests include the effects of tectonic and erosional processes on the carbon cycle, and ages and reactivities of organic carbon, and sediment and organic carbon transport in river systems. Gen also researches landslide sediment dynamics, as well as the construction and erosion of mountain belts.