Jerry Lee

Dr. Jerry Lee is a hematologist-oncologist who cares for patients with diseases that require treatment with bone marrow transplantation. These conditions include acute leukemias and bone marrow failure syndromes, such as aplastic anemia. He also specializes in rare histiocytic disorders (in which white blood cells called histiocytes build up in the body). He has a special interest in treating disorders that involve both the blood and immune function, such as diseases marked by irregular or persistent inflammation and immune complications resulting from transplant or CAR T-cell therapy.

Lee's research focuses on understanding causes, treatment approaches and outcomes for blood and immune system disorders that cause excessive inflammation, such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and graft-versus-host disease. He leads clinical trials to advance treatments for these conditions and collaborates with other investigators on developing new medications, immunotherapies and gene therapies. He also studies ways to optimize outcomes and minimize complications of bone marrow transplantation, and to expand patient access to the treatment. He serves on the histiocytic neoplasms committee of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Lee earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine. At UCSF, he completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology and oncology, with a focus on research. He also earned a master of science degree in biology at Stanford University, a master of philosophy degree in epidemiology at the University of Cambridge and completed a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

Prior to entering medicine, Lee was a high school biology teacher and studied sea squirts in Monterey Bay. These days, when not working, he tries to travel as much as he can – he has been to more than 50 countries and every national park in the continental U.S.