Team

We are a group of scientists tackling fundamental questions in cell biology. We are looking for motivated, creative, fun, positive people. If this is you, then we encourage you to learn more about joining us!

Jason Lee, Ph.D., Principal Investigator

Jason received his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He completed his PhD training with Pravin Sehgal at New York Medical College studying the dependence of Golgi function on nitric oxide in the context of pulmonary arterial hypertension. After his PhD, Jason trained as a postdoctoral fellow with Gia Voeltz at the University of Colorado, Boulder studying organelle division and inter-organelle contact sites. Since July 2020, Jason has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). During his career, Jason has received several honors, including Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Awards from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute of the NIH, and a CPRIT Scholar Award. Outside of the lab, Jason enjoys surfing, playing soccer and baseball, traveling with his family, and watching his daughter learn new things everyday. PubMed | Bluesky | Twitter

Postdoctoral Fellows

Joshua Marcus, Ph.D., NIEHS T32 Postdoc

Josh received his BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder. There, under the mentorship of James Orth, he studied the cell cycle effects of nuclear export inhibition as a cancer therapeutic. He completed his PhD training with Shaida Andrabi at the University of Alabama at Birmingham studying the effects of oxidative stress on the RNA-binding protein TDP43 in neurons. He started his postdoc in our lab at the beginning of September 2021 and is studying biomolecular condensate quality control mechanisms associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. Outside the lab, Josh enjoys hiking, live music, and spending time with his family who are local to Houston.

Graduate Students

Noah Powell, Cancer and Cell Biology Ph.D. student

Noah is originally from Santa Clarita, California and recently graduated from Ohio University with his BS in Cell/Molecular Biology in 2022. There, under the mentorship of Kevin Lee, he studied cellular heterogeneity in non-classical adipose tissues, with respect to their contributions toward obesity and type II diabetes. Noah enrolled in the Cancer and Cell Biology Graduate Program at Baylor College of Medicine in August 2021, and joined our lab in March 2022 to begin his PhD training. Outside of the lab, Noah enjoys playing racquetball, baseball, and board games with his friends and family.

Staff Scientists

Leyla Fahim, M.S., Research Assistant I

Leyla is originally from Houston and received her BS in Physics from Bryn Mawr College in 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. David Schaffner contributing to projects involving the study of plasma physics, turbulence, and fusion energy. After working as a research assistant at Cemvita Factory, Leyla went on to receive her Master’s in Bioengineering from Rice University in 2022. There, she studied the unfolded protein response in mammalian cells in Dr. Laura Segatori’s lab and worked to develop a genetic circuit which allows for the stable, small molecule-controlled production of recombinant proteins in HEK293 cells. Outside of the lab, Leyla enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time with her pets.

Katherine Walgamotte, Research Technician II

Katherine is originally from Slidell, Louisiana and received her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Mississippi State University. Upon graduation, Katherine worked at Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University as a research project assistant where she was the laboratory coordinator on several local, regional, and national clinical research studies. Outside of the lab, Katherine enjoys cooking, reading, and hanging out with her cats.

Alumni

  • Zachary Ralston (2020-2023): MD student at John Sealy School of Medicine, UTMB.
  • Paola Onate Colobon (2022-2023): Global Korea Scholarship to study at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).