Brendan Lee

Brendan Lee, M.D., Ph.D. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also holds the Robert and Janice McNair Endowed Chair. He directs the Center for Skeletal Medicine and Biology, co-directs the Rolanette and Berdon Lawrence Bone Disease Program of Texas, and is an Associate Director of the Medical Research Pathway. Clinically, he directs the Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital and is certified in Clinical Genetics, Clinical Biochemical Genetics, and General Pediatrics.

Education & Training:

• B.S., City University of New York, Brooklyn College (1986)
• Ph.D., State University of New York Downstate Medical Center (1990)
• M.D., State University of New York Downstate Medical Center (1993)
• Residency in Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine (1995)
• Clinical Fellowship in Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (1997–1998)
• Post-doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Biochemical Genetics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (1991)

Research Focus: Dr. Lee’s laboratory integrates developmental biology, metabolism, and clinical genetics to understand skeletal dysplasias and inborn errors of metabolism. His group investigates gene-nutrient interactions, morphogen signaling (TGF-β, Wnt, Notch), extracellular-matrix biology, and nitric-oxide biology in urea cycle disorders. These mechanistic studies feed directly into Phase II/III clinical trials of novel therapies for osteogenesis imperfecta, argininosuccinic aciduria, maple syrup urine disease, and osteoarthritis.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• William F. Neuman Award, ASBMR (2022)
• Curt Stern Award, ASHG (2016)
• Fellow, AAAS (2014)
• National Academy of Medicine (2013)
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2002–2014)
• E. Mead Johnson Award, SPR (2009)
• Edith & Peter O'Donnell Award (2009)
• Michael E. DeBakey Excellence in Research Award (2007)
• Judson Darland Prize, APS (2005)
• SPR Young Investigator Award (2000)

Students & Trainees: Dr. Lee has mentored >25 Ph.D. students and 30+ post-doctoral fellows who now hold faculty positions worldwide. Current trainees include basic and clinical fellows, research staff, and genetic counseling students working on skeletal biology, gene therapy, and rare-disease diagnostics.

Laboratory & Team: The Brendan Lee Lab comprises faculty, basic and clinical post-docs, research scientists, genetic counselors, and administrative staff working across Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network. The lab is funded by NIH, private foundations, and industry partnerships.