Janice Lee, DDS, MD, MS

The mission of the Craniofacial Anomalies and Regeneration Section is to understand craniofacial development and bone formation through human disorders that affect the normal development, growth and formation of the craniofacial skeleton. We focus on determining the genetic etiology and molecular changes in conditions such as hemifacial microsomia and mandibular prognathism, disorders that are identified at birth or may progress with growth respectively. We intend to understand the progression of these conditions and develop predictive tools to guide clinicians in therapy and timing of intervention. Through scientific high performance computing, we will use the latest methods in bioinformatics, biomedical imaging, and research information systems to further our understanding of these craniofacial anomalies. Many of the conditions require reconstructive surgery and bone grafting due to underdevelopment or missing bone. To address these reconstructive dilemmas that require significant surgery, we focus on examining the regenerative ability of postnatal bone marrow stromal stem cells and other mesenchymal tissues. By developing animal models of skeletal defects, we are examining molecular and cellular variations that may induce self-repair or autotherapy and may be models for stem cell therapy.​

Before joining NIDCR in August 2013, Dr. Janice Lee was professor of clinical oral and maxillofacial surgery and departmental vice chair in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Lee's clinical practice focused on craniofacial skeletal reconstruction for people born with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies, especially hemifacial microsomia. Dr. Lee earned a DDS and an MS from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry and an MD from Harvard Medical School. She completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard University and a two-year research fellowship in NIDCR’s Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch. Dr. Lee has published nearly 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, dozens of abstracts and poster presentations, and several book chapters.