Researcher Spotlight: Michelle Lee, MD, PhD

emory university

Black patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tend to have worse outcomes than patients from other groups. These differences may be due to a combination of biological and genetic factors, but previous studies of DLBCL pathogenesis and progression have mostly included patients of European ancestry, leaving a gap in knowledge on the biology of the disease in other groups. Dr. Lee’s research, therefore, aims to understand how genetics and ancestry influence disease biology in DLBCL in African American, Hispanic, and Asian-Pacific Islander patients.

“Our research is like a team of architects examining how these different building styles (tumor characteristics) in different climates (ancestry) interact with their environments (tumor microenvironments),” she explains. “By inspecting these corrupted buildings and
infrastructures, we aim to map out the city’s blueprint and understand what went wrong. Understanding these interactions may lead to more personalized treatment strategies that account for the ‘climate’ – or genetic ancestry – of each patient, helping to improve survival rates and quality of life for all.”

Dr. Lee completed her graduate research at the University of Washington in Seattle and her medical training at Emory University in Atlanta. As a Postdoctoral Fellow, she hopes to establish herself as a clinician scientist in lymphoma research, focusing on genomic-driven
treatment approaches and personalization of therapy. She is inspired by the determination and resilience of her lymphoma patients, who drive her passion for finding better treatment options for all. “This project is particularly meaningful to me because it allows me to combine cutting-edge genomic research with direct clinical impact in the future, ensuring that all lymphoma patients, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, have access to more effective treatments.”