Eric Lee

Hello! I am a College of Arts and Sciences junior ('26) studying biochemistry and biophysics, and I hope to build community and interest in research as a CURF RPA. My own research journey began in a high school infectious diseases internship that stimulated my interests in public health and drug delivery. Last summer, I was fortunate to explore public health in India, where I learned about the inner workings of Aravind Eye Care System through a project investigating causes of long patient visit durations. I also combined my interest in drug delivery with a newfound curiosity about gene therapy in the Perantau Lab at CHOP this past summer, when I researched the lipid nanoparticles and gene editing tools to deliver treatments for rare genetic diseases.

From travel to mentorship and self-actualization, research has endowed me with some of my favorite experiences—and I would love to share them. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, or even if you would just like to chat!

Research positions/programs and awards:

• Undergraduate Research Assistant in Peranteau Lab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Department of Pediatric General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery (January 2023 - present)
  • Researched delivery of base editor in vivo and after birth to reverse mutation causing spinal muscular atrophy induced by exon skipping; wrote review on efficacy of lipid nanoparticles in drug delivery across fetal blood brain barrier; conduct study on efficacy of base editor and CRISPRoff in treating X-linked myotubular myopathy
• Undergraduate Research Assistant in Ting Research Group, Icahn School of Medicine Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (November 2022 - present)
  • Wrote systematic review on use and benefits of remote monitoring technology in vascular surgery, including carotid endarterectomy and endovascular aortic repair
• Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) Research Internship in Aravind Eye Care System Madurai Branch (June - August 2023)
  • Created standardized list of clinical rules for electronic medical record rule engine and standard operating procedure graphics to reduce errors causing long wait times in Aravind's retina clinic; submitted research project proposal to investigate causative factors associated with long patient visit durations in Aravind's retina clinic
• Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Challenge Award (June 2024)
• Penn Lucid Science Challenge Chemical Sciences Division (awarded First Place in April 2023)
  • Presented research proposal for in vivo injection of base editor to correct point mutations associated with hypoplastic left heart syndrome