
Wonjae Lee
Assistant Professor of NeurosurgeryOverview
Dr. Wonjae Lee’s research explores how neural cells integrate biological signals at multiple levels to communicate with immune cells within the brain’s unique immune landscape. Central to this process is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a highly selective interface between the brain and peripheral circulation. Dr. Lee investigates the BBB’s role in mediating immune interactions and leverages it as a potential therapeutic target.
To study this, Dr. Lee builds functional models of the neurovascular unit (NVU), a simple but comprehensive tissue structure that replicates neurophysiological and immunological features of the brain. This platform allows researchers to track the spatiotemporal immune dynamics throughout disease progression and treatments within the brain’s original immune context.
By advancing techniques for modeling cellular cross-talk within engineered tissues, Dr. Lee’s research pushes the boundaries of experimental neuroscience. His team integrates multimodal spatiotemporal data analysis to uncover novel insights into brain-immune interactions. Through active collaborations with experts in biomedical engineering, neurobiology, immunology, and oncology, Dr. Lee drives interdisciplinary innovations to address complex challenges in neuroimmunology and precision medicine.
Positions
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery in the School of Medicine
2022 School of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology in the School of Medicine
2024 School of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Pathology in the School of Medicine
2022 School of Medicine
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine
2023 School of Medicine
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences in the University Institutes and Centers
2023 University Institutes and Centers
Education
Ph.D. 2010
2010 Stanford University
Publications, Grants & Awards
Offices & Contact
Durham, NC
27710 3 Genome Ct. MSRB3 Rm-5138
Durham, NC
27710