Suzanne Lee

Suzanne Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Western Washington University. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing RNA production, function, and degradation in Tetrahymena thermophila, a model organism. She emphasizes mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research and STEM careers.

Education: B.A. in Biological Chemistry (Wellesley College, 1998), Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology (UC Berkeley, 2007), Postdoctoral Fellowships (University of Colorado, Boulder and UC San Diego, 2008-2014).

Research Interests: Non-coding RNAs, RNA interference pathways, cellular health maintenance, and the integration of biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.

Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2022), Peter J Elich Excellence in Teaching Award (2021), Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship (2009-2012), and Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (1997-1998).

Lab Environment: The Lee Lab prioritizes collaborative mentorship, with projects spanning RNA biology, student education, and interdisciplinary approaches. Collaborators include the Galati, Dahlberg, and Pollard labs at WWU.