Prof YC Gary Lee
Winthrop Professor YC Gary Lee is internationally recognised as a key opinion leader in pleural disease. His translational research program is patient focussed and uniquely combines a clinical and laboratory research arm closely integrated with a tertiary pleural service. Prof Lee began his PhD, followed by a postdoc in 1999 and subsequently established his own research group in 2005.
His group is renowned for its high productivity:
- 130 original/invited papers: 79% as first/last author (H-index 22; total citations >1400)
- Research grant record: US $7 million/li>
- Covers clinical (phase I to III) and bench (cell biology to animal models) research – all on pleural dise ases
- Actively involved with biotech companies in developing new pleural drainage devices / therapies
Prof Lee's research successes have been recognised in many countries,
- Fulbright Scholarship, USA (PhD research (1999-01)
- Wellcome Postdoc Fellowship (UK 2002-04)
- Advanced Fellowship (2004-07)
- Senior Lecturer & Consultant (Oxford University & University College London 2005-08)
- UK Higher Education Foundation for Clinical Excellence Award 2008
- Winthrop Professorship, University of Western Australia (2009-)
- Young Investigator Awards: New Zealand 1997
- American College of Chest Physicians 2001
Through his position in Australia Prof Lee has been able to build a strong translational pleural research setup. The new animal models, state-of-the-art imaging facilities, clinical trial and biobank networks add to the platform established in the USA/UK, and will allow for significant expansion in the quality and quantity of research. The clinical pleural service is fast expanding; the outpatient load is up by 300% since establishment in 2009, and is the most active in Australasia.