The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has bestowed its highest science honor on University of California-Irvine orthopedic surgeon, Thay Q. Lee, M.D.
The VA announced the appointment of Lee as a senior career scientist at the end of October. Lee, professor and vice chairman for research in UC Irvine’s (UCI) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, will receive $1.4 million to support his research and the Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab at the Long Beach VA Medical Center.
“Dr. Lee is one of the world’s foremost orthopedic biomedical engineers, ” said Dr. Ranjan Gupta, chair of UCI’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “His research on the biomechanics of the knee and shoulder has resulted in improved quality of life for injured veterans and others.”
Flexing and Kneeling Biomechanics
Lee is conducting a study to better understand the biomechanics of flexing and kneeling: “Both movements are limited after total knee arthroplasty, or knee replacement, We will evaluate different surgical approaches to TKA with the goal of minimizing adverse effects on kneeling and improving quality of life for veterans and others who undergo knee replacement.”
Senior research career scientists are selected through peer review and are expected to have a successful history as a principal investigator on projects funded by the VA or other national agencies, a strong publications record, professional recognition and involvement, and an active role in teaching and mentoring other scientists.
Lee CV
Lee’s research has focused on the biomechanics of the shoulder and knee for the last decade and, according to the announcement, has written more than 130 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 290 abstracts. He has won numerous national and international awards, and the value of his work is underscored by 20 years of sustained VA and external funding, including 10 years as a research career scientist.
Lee joined UCI in 1987 while employed at the Long Beach VA Medical Center. He became a full professor and was named vice chairman for research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 2004.
He is an elected fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering. Lee is also a member of American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Research Society, the American Society of Biomechanics, the California Orthopaedic Association, the Society for Biomaterials, and the Biomedical Engineering Society.
