Rate My Professor Shaun Lee

Shaun Lee is the Monahan Family Associate Professor of Rare and Neglected Diseases in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. He earned a Ph.D. from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. Lee's academic career includes a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Diego, followed by his appointment as Assistant Professor and later Monahan Family Associate Professor in Biological Sciences at Notre Dame.

His research examines the mechanisms of bacteriocin production by bacteria and their impacts on microbial community dynamics and host pathogenesis. These ribosomally synthesized peptides serve functions ranging from antimicrobial and antiviral activities to modulating host virulence and facilitating bacterial communication. With a focus on commensal bacteria within host microbiomes, Lee's laboratory pursues the discovery and engineering of novel bacteriocin-based therapeutics. Additionally, the group conducts mechanistic investigations into bacteriocins from both pathogenic and commensal microbes in relation to host disease and immune responses, employing multidisciplinary techniques including chemical synthesis for structural analysis, high-throughput screening for antibiotic candidates, and molecular microbiological methods. Prominent publications include "Activation of band 3 mediates group A Streptococcus streptolysin S-based beta-haemolysis" (Nature Microbiology, 2016; featured on cover), "Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptide Tuning Permits Membrane Disruption and Interpeptide Synergy" (ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 2020; cover feature), "The Streptococcal Protease SpeB Antagonizes the Biofilms of the Human Pathogen Staphylococcus aureus USA300 through Cleavage of the Staphylococcal SdrC Protein" (Journal of Bacteriology, 2020; cover), and "The wide world of bacteriocins: ribosomally encoded bacterial peptides" (PLOS Pathogens, 2014). Lee has been honored with the NIH Director's New Innovator Award in 2011 and the Rev. James L. Shilts, C.S.C. and Doris and Gene Shilts Award for Undergraduate Teaching in 2022. His work has significantly contributed to insights into bacterial toxins and the development of innovative antimicrobial strategies.