Raphael Lee is an internationally recognized expert in plastic surgery, burn trauma and bioengineering.

His research focuses on developing molecular regeneration strategies to treat trauma-related injuries. Specifically, Lee’s work involves therapeutic approaches to restore proper molecular form and function to injured cells. Typically, injured cells have disrupted cell membranes and their proteins tend to change structure and lose biological function. Lee’s research team has developed biocompatible surfactants, or surface-active agents that can seal disrupted cell membranes in injured cells and help proteins regain their original structure and function.

Lee’s clinical interests are in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, but also in laser treatment of vascular malformations and hair removal. He is a director of the University of Chicago Scar Clinic for patients with serious scar management problems.

Lee earned his M.D. at Temple University in Philadelphia and his Ph.D. and Sc.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. In addition to being named a AAAS Fellow, MacArthur Fellow and a Searle Scholar, Lee also has received more than 20 research awards and honorary degrees.