He received his Ph.D. at Oregon Health and Science University in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, under the direction of Dr. Maggie So, and completed postdoctoral training at University of California San Diego under the direction of Dr. Jack Dixon. Dr. Lee's research focuses on the biosynthesis and function of bacterially produced peptide compounds. Many of these compounds have been investigated for their roles in host virulence as well as microbial defense and signaling, and may uncover new avenues for developing therapeutics and antibiotic compounds.