Education

Ph.D., Clark Atlanta University 
B.S., Morris Brown College 

Biography

Professional Leadership
Chair of Biology Department, 2009-2016

Associate Chair of Biology Department, Spelman College, 2008-09

Co-PI – NSF/HBCU-UP (#6-24120): ASPIRE: Advancing Spelman College’s Participation in Informatics Research and Education 2007-2013).

External Advisory Committee Member, (RIMI/NIH/NIMHD, Albany State University), 2010-2014. 

Curriculum Committee, Chair - Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy/Morehouse School of Medicine, 2012

Courses Taught

Bio 111 General Biology
Bio 120 Cell Biology
Bio 489 Biological Chemistry
Bio 285 Sophomore/Senior Seminar
Bio 485 Senior Seminar
Bio 100 Biology of Women

Research Interests

As a researcher, the primary focus of my laboratory program is cell-mediated immunity as it relates to cytokine expression and immune responses. 

Specific interests include the regulation of cytokines; use of RNA inhibition (RNAi) studies, specifically small interfering RNAs (siRNA) for the development of reagents useful in investigations involving the rhesus macaque model of AIDS; the antiviral effects of IL-16; and translation of these to cellular and cytokine therapeutic modalities.

Laboratory Research Interests
The primary focus of our laboratory program is the development of reagents suitable for use in vaccine development in primate models. Specific interests include the regulation of cytokines; use of RNA interference (RNAi) studies, specifically small interfering RNAs (siRNA) as a means of gene silencing. 

These and other nucleic acids are being delivered using the amaxa, Inc Nucleofection technology. This approach is being used for the development of reagents useful in investigations involving the rhesus macaque model of AIDS; the structural and functional relationships of the inhibitory effects of IL-16; and translation of these to cellular and cytokine therapeutic modalities.

Publications

Motivators and Barriers to Blood Donation in African American College Students With and Without History of Prior Donation. DG Demmons, BH Shaz, CP Crittenden, CV Carnevale, ME Lee, M Burnett, K Easley, CD Hillyer. Transfusion and Apheresis Science, 2009, 41:191-197.

Gene-Silencing of Reversion-Induced LIM Protein Compromises Responses to Interleukin-16. ME Lee, D Martin, T King, L Brown, M De Leon, KM Jackson, CM Woods. Proceedings of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research and International Cytokine Society, 2008, 7:49-54.

Suppression of T Lymphocyte Proliferation to Antigenic and Mitogenic Stimuli by Benzo(α)Pyrene and 2-Aminoflourene Metabolites. ME Lee and P Urso. Immunopharmocology and Immunotoxicology, 2007, 29:425-438. 

News

Diverse Issues in Higher Education: HBCUs’ Relevance in Diversifying the STEM Workforce