Scientist
Chordoma Foundation
Lee received his B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Connecticut and completed his PhD training in cell biology at Drexel University, where he studied the role of cytoskeletal proteins in epithelial cell migration and membrane trafficking. His research revealed mechanistic insights into cytoskeletal dynamics during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cell invasion and receptor trafficking. His postdoctoral studies at Duke University broadened his training in basic research, focusing on the molecular genetics of pathogenic and commensal bacteria and the host immune responses underlying epithelial tissue homeostasis. He is currently a Scientist at the Chordoma Foundation, where he leads the drug discovery efforts in the lab, which is primarily focused on collaborating with companies to develop drugs targeting brachyury, a key driver of chordoma. In addition to screening novel brachyury-targeted compounds in biophysical and cell-based assays, Lee is also working to identify whether brachyury plays a role in the pathogenesis of other, more common cancers to assess the broader market for brachyury therapies.
