Joyce Lee

Research offers undergraduates an unparalleled opportunity to engage with innovation within the Penn community and beyond, and I’m excited to support you on your journey! When I first arrived at Penn, I was new to research – but with the amazing support I received through CURF and the RPA program, I was able to find and join a lab that provided a great learning environment. Now, as an RPA, I’m passionate about making research more accessible and helping students discover opportunities that align with their personal interests and goals. 

Since my freshman year, I have been an undergraduate research assistant at the Chen Lab in the Department of Neurosurgery, where we focus on novel approaches to regenerative medicine aimed at treating traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. My projects involve techniques such as tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry, and computational analysis to explore whether transplanted brain organoids can successfully integrate with damaged motor cortex to restore brain circuitry. 

Throughout this experience, I’ve learned how to apply for grants and funding, conduct both wet lab and clinical research, and bridge my interests across multiple disciplines. Outside of research, I’m involved with PennScience Journal of Undergraduate Research, UNAIDS at Penn, and the Daily Pennsylvanian Crosswords. I can’t wait to share all the amazing opportunities at Penn and help you take full advantage of them. Please feel free to reach out with any and all questions!

• Research Assistant, Chen Lab at the Perelman School of Medicine (2022-present) 
• Research Assistant, MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging (2023-present) 
• College House Research Fellowship (2023-2024) 
• The Ernest M. Brown Jr. College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant (2023) 
• Poster Presentation at CURF Fall Research Expo (2023 & 2024)