The Lee Lab studies craniofacial reconstruction outcomes and develops regenerative biomaterials for craniofacial bone, bridging the operating room and the bench.
We are a multidisciplinary team working to maximize outcomes after facial reconstruction. Our work spans facial feminization surgery, cleft and craniofacial surgery, alveolar bone grafting, and complex craniofacial care.
We study surgical results, recovery, pain, psychosocial health, and quality of life so that patient experience can become evidence that improves care.
We are working to move patient care from reconstructive surgery toward regeneration. Our laboratory develops surgically practical biomaterials that help the body rebuild craniofacial bone.
Our work in mineralized collagen scaffolds, phosphate signaling, mechanotransduction, and osteoprotegerin delivery aims to create safe, biological alternatives to metal, plastic, and harvested graft material.
The landmark prospective study demonstrating that FFS produces measurable, sustained improvement in quality of life, mental health, and gender congruence, published in the world's oldest surgical journal.
A national survey of state laws imposing criminal or civil penalties on surgeons providing gender-affirming care, documenting a landscape that directly affects patient access and physician practice.
A 181-trial meta-analysis establishing that structured psychological preparation before surgery (the PREFACE model) significantly improves pain, recovery, and patient-reported outcomes.
A key finding showing that OPG delivery on mineralized collagen scaffolds suppresses bone breakdown while preserving new bone formation, a precision tool for craniofacial regeneration.
This study links scaffold material properties to osteoprotegerin expression, clarifying how biomaterial design can influence signals that regulate bone remodeling.
This study shows how mineralized collagen materials modulate phosphate timing and distribution to promote osteogenesis through PiT-1 and PiT-2.
Facial feminization surgery, gender-affirming surgery and policy, craniofacial reconstruction, and patient-reported outcomes.
Mineralized collagen scaffolds, osteoprotegerin delivery, mechanotransduction, craniofacial bone regeneration, and basic science.
Principal Investigator
Adjunct Associate Professor
Postdoctoral Fellow
UCLA Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident
UCLA Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident
2024–2025 Research Fellow
2026–2027 Research Fellow
2026–2027 Research Fellow
2026–2027 Research Fellow
2026–2027 Research Fellow
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
Undergraduate Student
Springer · 2026
A Springer text for surgeons and trainees covering FFS techniques, anatomy, operative planning, and clinical decision-making. Edited by Dr. Lee and Sumun Khetpal for the next generation of craniofacial and gender-affirming surgeons.
Research Fellow Applications
One-year, in-person, full-time commitment. We do not accept part-time, summer, portion of year, or virtual commitments. Requests for partial commitments will not receive a response.
Clinical graduate or postgraduate trainees only. That includes clinical fellows, plastic surgery or other surgical residents, medical students, or post-baccalaureate gap year students intending on pursuing medicine. We do not accept undergraduates, high school students, or non-clinical trainees.
All research fellows are expected to write at least two papers a year.
All research fellows must complete HIPAA and CITI training prior to joining team.
Applicants with fellowship funding will be given priority for consideration.
Applicants without fellowship funding will not be funded but may apply for funding.
Must be a nice workaholic and have the ability to get along with our team full of nice, hard-working people.
Simply fill out our online application form, including two letters of reference.
We only accept applications via the online form. We do not accept applications via email, nor do we respond to applications sent via email.
Contact
Media, research, and other professional inquiries are screened before they reach Dr. Lee. For clinical care, use the UCLA Health link shown in the form.
