Dr. Justine C. Lee is the Bernard G. Sarnat Endowed Chair in Craniofacial Biology in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. She is a craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon specializing in reconstruction of complex congenital, post-traumatic, and post-oncologic deformities of the head and neck region. Her practice focuses on patients with microtia, prominent ear, traumatic ear deformities, cleft lip/cleft palate, craniosynostosis, rare craniofacial syndromes, craniofacial microsomia, Parry-Romberg disease, facial nerve palsy, malocclusion, and vascular malformations. Dr. Lee's educational background includes: B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from UCLA, summa cum laude with highest honors (1999) MD and PhD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (2006) Residency in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship at UCLA School of Medicine (2013) Dr. Lee's research focuses on craniofacial outcomes and regeneration. Her laboratory investigates biomaterials for bone regeneration, clinical outcomes of craniofacial surgery, and technological advances in reconstructive techniques. She has particular expertise in autologous total ear reconstruction, cleft lip and palate treatment, and outcomes in facial reconstruction for gender confirmation. Her approach combines aesthetics with reconstruction, aiming to help patients function normally while looking and feeling their best. Dr. Lee's publications reveal a strong focus on biomaterials science and craniofacial outcomes, with particular emphasis on nanoparticulate mineralized collagen scaffolds for bone engineering. Her recent work has expanded into psychosocial outcomes following gender-affirming facial feminization surgery, demonstrating significant improvements in mental health quality of life measures. Her research bridges engineering principles with clinical applications in craniofacial reconstruction. Dr. Lee's scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Bernard G. Sarnat Endowed Chair in Craniofacial Biology (2016) Super Doctors® Southern California designation (2023-2025) Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctors (2021-2025) Steward Rood Section Editor of the Year (2019) UCLA Plastic Surgery Faculty Teaching Award (2016) Dr. Lee actively mentors students and researchers through her Craniofacial Outcomes Research Team and Craniofacial Regeneration Laboratory. She has served as curriculum director for the plastic surgery residency since 2013 and has received multiple teaching awards. Her research has been supported by substantial grants including an R01 from the National Institutes of Health, Career Development Award from the Veteran's Administration, and multiple awards from the Jean Perkins Foundation totaling over $1.5 million. Dr. Lee leads the Craniofacial Outcomes Research Team and Craniofacial Regeneration Laboratory at UCLA, where her team investigates bone regeneration, biomimetic materials, and clinical outcomes in craniofacial surgery. The lab has published extensively on nanoparticulate mineralized collagen scaffolds for bone engineering and has made significant contributions to understanding psychosocial outcomes following facial feminization surgery. Her team includes postdoctoral fellows, medical students, undergraduate researchers, and plastic surgery residents working collaboratively across disciplines.









