Benhur Lee

Benhur Lee is a Professor of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), holding the Ward-Coleman Chair in Microbiology since 2014. He obtained his MD from Yale University School of Medicine in 1995 and completed clinical pathology training at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as Chief Resident (2015-2019). His postdoctoral work with Robert W. Doms at Penn (1997-2001) established foundational HIV entry research.

• Education:
  • MD, Yale University School of Medicine (1995)
  • Clinical Pathology Residency, University of Pennsylvania (1997-2001)
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania with Robert Doms

Dr. Lee’s research focuses on molecular viral-host interactions for emerging RNA viruses like Henipaviruses (Nipah/Hendra) and HIV-1. His lab pioneered HIV entry standards and developed reverse genetics systems for paramyxoviruses to enable vaccine and gene therapy research. Key collaborations include Thomas Bowden’s structural biology group at Oxford and Regeneron’s VelocImmune® technology.

Selected Publications highlight work on viral entry mechanisms, gene editing vectors, and zoonotic disease prevention. His lab’s #ViralLeeLab maintains a global research network.

Scientific Awards:

• Culpepper Biomedical Scholar Award (2002-2005)
• Rockefeller Brothers Fund Dolph Adams Award (2006)

Dr. Lee contributes to policy as a member of NIH’s NExTRAC (2016-2020) and CIRM’s Standards Working Group (2014-present). His work aligns with Mount Sinai’s institutional policies on research integrity, conflict of interest, and global health security.