Young-Me Lee

Young-Me Lee serves as Professor and Vincent DePaul Professor in the School of Nursing within DePaul University's College of Science and Health. Her research program focuses on reducing health disparities through public health interventions targeting mental health, preventive behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections among minority and underserved populations.

Her research expertise spans:

• Public health and global health initiatives
• Health disparities and minority population health
• Digital and community-based intervention development
• Sexually transmitted infection prevention (particularly HPV)
• Nursing workforce diversification strategies

Recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate consistent focus on health equity through mixed-methods approaches. Key trends include pandemic response modeling, HPV vaccination interventions, immigrant health access barriers, and culturally tailored digital health tools for vulnerable populations across Asian American, Black, and elderly communities.

Her significant research funding includes National Institutes of Health (Bridges Program) and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (New Careers in Nursing) grants aimed at diversifying the nursing workforce and strengthening academic pipelines.

Award highlights:

• 2024 Founder's Award, Global Korean Nursing Foundation-USA
• 2023 Provost's Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DePaul University)
• 2018 Vincent DePaul Professorship
• Multiple Outstanding Service Awards from Global Korean Nursing Foundation

Professor Lee actively mentors students evidenced by 21 co-authored publications with student researchers. Her national and international collaborations emphasize interdisciplinary scholarship utilizing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research designs to address emerging public health challenges.