Dr. Monica Y. Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her scientific journey began at the University of Virginia, where she earned degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Psychology. She then completed her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, focusing on the smooth muscle cell component of atherosclerosis and acute vascular injury. Her postdoctoral work at Yale University delved into the role of endothelial PI3K/Akt signaling in cardiovascular health, uncovering key insights into the mechanisms governing vascular tone and disease.

Currently, her lab is investigating how nuclear pore proteins, or nucleoporins, contribute to cardiovascular physiology. Dr. Lee has an extensive publication record and has received multiple grants throughout her career, including the NIH/NHLBI Pathway to Independence Award and an American Heart Association Career Development Award. Dr. Lee’s work is pushing the boundaries of our understanding of cardiovascular disease and opening new avenues for potential therapies. She is committed to advancing scientific knowledge while fostering a collaborative research environment for the next generation of scientists.

Research Interests: Endothelial cell (EC) health is largely determined by the regulation of transcription factors that control the transcriptome and identity of ECs. These transcriptional regulators rely on nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, where the control of transcription factor subcellular localization is essential for EC health. The controlled exchange of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm occurs through nuclear pore complexes, one of the largest components of the nuclear envelope. In the Lee Lab, we study the contribution of nuclear pore proteins (i.e. nucleoporins) in vascular health and disease. The Lee Lab utilizes a combination of high-content screening together with modern in vitro and in vivo techniques to allow for a multi-tier, integrative approach toward translational research.

Teaching Philosophy: Teaching has played a central role throughout Dr. Lee’s academic career, having had opportunities to teach at each stage of her academic career. Her experience, ranging from a graduate course TA to now a graduate course director, demonstrates her dedication to teaching excellence, both in classroom-based settings and hands-on lab mentoring. Inspired by her own influential educators and mentors, she focuses on fostering critical thinking in her students – both in classroom and lab – encouraging them to speculate on the broader significance of their research rather than relying solely on memorization. Her lab members are referred to as ‘project leaders’, as this instills a sense of ownership and accountability, empowering trainees to recognize their critical role in team-based and collaborative research.