Brandon Lee

I was born and raised in Pleasanton, California. I then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to attend Case Western University (CWRU) for its Integrated Master's Program.

My early introduction to research was through Dr. Emmitt Jolly's Lab in the Department of Biology, studying the molecular genetics of schistosome form and function at the cercarial stage of development. 

Through this short internship, I was introduced to immunology and so conducted summer research with Dr. Irving Weissman's Lab at Stanford University's Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the intersection of stem cells, immunology, and infectious disease. Under Dr Michal Tal's mentorship, I discovered a novel connection between Lyme disease and atopic dermatitis. In addition, I helped investigate macrophage trafficking and early studies of the saliva's protective role against SARS-COV-2. 

At CWRU, I joined Dr. David Wald's Lab in Department of Pathology, where I studied organoid development and CAR-modified NK cells to be used in future immunotherapy against blood-based cancers. My master's thesis explored the neuroethics of biomarkers, working with pre-eminent investigators to decipher implications of clinical decision-making in a changing cognitive state. 

After graduation, I joined my mentor, Dr. Tal, in her move from Stanford across the country to Boston, where I helped Dr. Tal found her independent lab within the MIT Department of Biological Engineering and Center for Gynepathology Research. For three years prior to matriculation, I was the animal lab manager and assisted Dr. Tal in initiating the largest clinical study at MIT, MAESTRO, which intends to collect a biobank for investigators in academia and industry to research infection-associated chronic illnesses from patients with Long COVID, Lyme disease (both acute and chronic), and other patient cohorts. There, I found many indications that pivoted his pursuit into a career as a physician-scientist, contributing to growing understanding of sex differences in these conditions through both mouse models and human data while growing the lab. 

In addition to my research experiences in preparation for a career in medicine, I have deep interests in service, volunteering in leadership at a nonprofit organization for a stint and as a host at the Boston Symphony most recently. I've mentored extensively, guiding applicants through college, PhD and medical programs, and plan to continue doing so during my academic time here at COM-T and in the greater community. 

In my nonexistent free time, I can be found training for my next triathlon/marathon in the early mornings, listening to music, cooking, reading, and exploring Tucson and the rest of the American Southwest when I can't catch a flight abroad. I am a "couch to marathon" runner, coming from a childhood not spent as an athlete but completed my first marathon 6 months after picking up running. I'm excited to join the UA COM-T MSTP and eager to see what awaits!