Sung-Jae Lee

Sung-Jae Lee, PhD, is a Professor-in-Residence in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. He serves as Director of the Methods Core for the Center for HIV Identification Prevention and Treatment Services (CHIPTS), UCLA site PI for the University of California Global Health Institute GloCal Fellowship Training Program, and Principal Investigator for the 'Cutting-edge, Customized, and Comprehensive (CCC) HIV capacity building for Vietnam and Thailand' program.

Dr. Lee's educational background includes:

• PhD in Epidemiology from UCLA (2003)
• MPH in Epidemiology from Yale University (1998)
• BA in Social Psychology from Tufts University (1996)

Dr. Lee's research focuses on addressing health inequities among minoritized communities impacted by HIV/AIDS and other syndemic comorbidities. His work spans implementation science, epidemiology, and behavioral interventions to improve HIV prevention and treatment outcomes, with particular expertise in addressing disparities among transgender youth, racial/ethnic minorities, and Southeast Asian populations. His research increasingly incorporates innovative methodologies including machine learning applications, digital health interventions, and mixed-methods approaches to understand complex health behaviors.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on HIV prevention strategies among youth populations, with significant attention to PrEP utilization, implementation science approaches, and addressing structural barriers to care. His work shows an evolving integration of advanced analytical techniques while maintaining focus on real-world application and health equity considerations.

Dr. Lee holds significant leadership roles in major research initiatives:

• Co-Investigator on 'UCLA Rapid, Rigorous, Relevant Implementation Science Hub' (NIH R24AI191868, 2025-2030)
• Contact PI on 'CCC HIV capacity building for Vietnam and Thailand' (NIH D43TW012489, 2024-2028)
• Former PI/Co-I on multiple NIH-funded projects including UCLA/Thai MoPH and UCLA/Myanmar Training Programs

Within the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Semel Institute, Dr. Lee serves as Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Deputy Director of the Implementation Science and Practice Hub (ISPH). At the David Geffen School of Medicine, he co-leads the Health Equity and Translational Social Science Research Theme, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to health equity and social determinants of health.