Wei-Li Lee, PhD

Education and Training

• Graduate school: State University of New York at Buffalo (PhD)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: Dermatology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

Background

Dr. Wei-Li Lee's research focuses on the effects of physical and chemical stimuli on the skin in an attempt to understand how cells communicate and react to certain stimuli and/or insults. Dr. Lee has investigated the relationship of the skin to UV radiation (UVR), narrow band blue light, microbial organisms and chemical irritants. Her lab also performs many in vitro studies involving various types of cells including human blood vessel endothelial cells, skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts), white blood cells (leukocytes, monocytes) and mouse macrophages. Dr. Lee's laboratory has established many in vitro cell models describing how various cells interact with respect to self-defense and innate and adaptive immunity.

Dr. Lee's work also strives to understand how the skin fights off infection, what occurs when skin defense systems fail, and the mechanism of inflammatory responses that ensue. Additionally, her interests include researching the beneficial effects of alternative and natural ingredients in the treatment of skin conditions.

• Lee, WL, Hong M, Brownell L, Jia Q, and Shalita AR. A Clinical Study Evaluating the Dermatologic Benefits of Topical Bakuchiol (UP256) Cream on Facial Acne: Anti-microbial and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Bakuchiol (in preparation)
• Y E, Dapul GE, Nowakowski M, Shalita AR, and Lee WL. Modulation of cytokine and nitric oxide production by keratinocytes and mononuclear cells in a co-culture model. J Drugs in Dermatol. 11 (7): 834, 2012
• E YP, Golden SC, Shalita AR, Lee WL Maes D and Matsui MS. Neuropeptides (calcitonin gene-related peptide) induction of nitric oxide in human keratinocytes in vitro. JID, 126(9):1994, 2006
• Shnitkind E. E YP, Lee WL and Shalita AR. Anti-inflammatory properties of narrow band blue light. J Drugs in Dermatol.5:605, 2006
• Shalita AR, Landow S and Lee WL. Compared efficacy and safety of tretinoin 0.1% microsphere gel alone and in combination with Benzoyl peroxide 6% cleanser for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Cutis. 72(2):167. 2003
• Lee WL. An in vitro model of leukocyte adhesion to human keratinocytes: potential use for studying anti-inflammatory/irritant properties. In Cosmeceuticals: Advanced Skin Care and Cosmetic Products. International Business Communications, 1998
• Choi TS, Solomon BA, Nowakowski M, Lee WL, Geen S, Suntharalingam K, Fikrig SM, and AR Shalita. Effect of naftifine on neutrophil adhesion. Skin Pharm 9:190, 1996
• Solomon BA, Lee WL, Geen S, Suntharalingam K, Fikrig SM, and Shalita AR. Modification of neutrophil functions by naftifine. Br J Dermatol 128:393, 1993
• Harkaway KS, McGinley KJ, Foglia AN, Lee WL, Shalita AR, and JJ Leyden. Antibiotic resistance patterns in coagulase-negative staphylococci after treatment with topical erythoromycin, benzoyl peroxide, and combination therapy. Br J Dermat 126(6) 586, 1992
• Page JC, Abramson C, Lee WL, KJ McGinley. Tinea pedis: diagnosis and treatment – a review and update. J Am Podia Med 81(6):304, 1991