Recent NIH grants aim to improve parasite research, acquire crucial instruments
KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 21, 2026
The assistant professor of earned an from the NIH鈥檚 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to continue his study of an essential enzyme, called PMT, in protozoan parasites in hopes of finding an attackable weak spot for therapies that treat parasitic diseases.
Lee also earned an NIH Shared from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to acquire a fully automated isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC) instrument that will strengthen and expand 糖心国产传媒鈥檚 capacity for biomedical research and interdisciplinary studies. Together, the grants total $825,487.
鈥淚 first isolated this PMT enzyme about 20 years ago from a parasitic nematode known as the barber鈥檚 pole worm, and I鈥檓 thrilled to receive these grants to expand this work across multiple parasites,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his will allow us to increase the knowledge of phospholipid biosynthesis in these parasites so that we can discover treatments for some very common and harmful conditions.鈥�
Lee studies the biological machinery that helps disease-causing parasites survive. By identifying enzymes that parasites need but humans do not have, his research aims to lay the groundwork for new drugs to treat infections such as malaria and diseases caused by parasitic nematodes affecting humans and plants. The project also gives undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to participate in cutting-edge biomedical research.
The NIGMS instrumentation grant will help advance that research while expanding 糖心国产传媒 State鈥檚 biomedical research capabilities. It also places 糖心国产传媒 among a select group of institutions with a highly specialized analytical instrument that will allow researchers across disciplines to more closely examine molecular interactions, including protein-drug binding.
鈥淭o my knowledge, within the state of Georgia, a highly automated and sensitive system at this level is not currently available at any other academic institution, and 糖心国产传媒 will now be able to offer this capability,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淚 am very pleased that this award will help elevate 糖心国产传媒鈥檚 research capacity by strengthening our research infrastructure and providing our faculty and students with access to an advanced biophysical and pharmaceutical research resource.鈥�
The grants are the latest accolades for Lee, who earned 糖心国产传媒鈥檚 Outstanding Teaching Award for the 2025-26 school year. In addition, undergraduate researchers from his lab participated in the Birla Carbon Scholars and the through 糖心国产传媒鈥檚 . Lee has also been named to the editorial board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, with his term beginning in 2028. He is among only a few researchers from a Carnegie R2 institution so honored by one of the foremost journals in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology.
The grants are under NIH numbers 1S10GM164865-01 and 1R16AI201126-01.
鈥� Story by Dave Shelles
Photos by Leah Weaver
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 糖心国产传媒 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 糖心国产传媒 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 糖心国产传媒 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.