Concern Foundation’s 2020-2022 Grant Recipient Dr. Kyoung Eun Lee, PhD of the University of Michigan

Watch OUR CONCERN IS YouTube video; A Conversation with: Dr. Kyoung Eun Lee, Ph.D. University of Michigan "Role of Hypoxia in B cell Migration and Function in Pancreatic Cancer".  Dr. Lee received her Ph.D. from New York University, where she investigated the role of the Ras signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer under the mentorship of Dr. Dafna Bar-Sagi. She then went on to perform postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Dr. M. Celeste Simon at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed a strong interest in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and onco-immunology. In September of 2018, Dr. Lee joined the faculty in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor.

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an extensive inflammatory, desmoplastic stromal reaction contributing to a hypoxic microenvironment. Our research focuses on understanding how hypoxia modulates tumor-stroma interactions in the pancreas, and thereby developing effective anti-cancer therapies that aim to remodel tumor microenvironment. We use a wide range of approaches, including mouse models and 3D organoid co-cultures. Basic science researchers in laboratories of the Pancreatic Disease Initiative are engaged in studies to understand pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. We work with a team of clinicians and surgeons and to translate this information into new therapies for our patients.

The Lee lab aims to understand how pancreatic cancer develops in complex tissue environments, with particular interest in hypoxia and immune cells as critical tumor microenvironment components.  Our goal is to uncover the role of hypoxia in pancreatic tumorigenesis and identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.