Jessica Lee
Tell us about yourself.
I am an experienced drug developer and regulatory affairs professional with over 25 years of experience at large pharmaceutical and biotech companies and a second-year DrPH candidate at Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine at Tulane University. I began my career as a benchtop scientist, eventually transitioning to clinical research, where I lead the development of life-saving medicines for diseases with unmet medical needs. I received my MPH from Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, MS from Temple University School of Pharmacy, and BS in Biology from Drexel University.
Why did you pursue a DrPH?
I am pursuing a DrPH to become a more effective advocate for those whose voices are often unheard in healthcare decisions, particularly people facing communication barriers that systematically exclude them from quality care. My focus centers on Limited English Proficiency (LEP) populations, who navigate a healthcare system that was not designed with them in mind, and extends to elderly LEP immigrants who endure the compounded challenges of age-related vulnerabilities and cultural isolation. I am equally committed to advocating for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), whose unique communication needs require coordinated, evidence-based interventions across healthcare, educational, and social systems.
What are you currently excited about in your job?
I am particularly energized by the potential of AI to revolutionize drug discovery and development, dramatically reducing the time it takes to bring life-saving treatments from laboratory to patient. AI holds profound promise for the communities I serve—accelerating access to medications for rare diseases, enabling faster responses to emerging health threats, and potentially making breakthrough therapies more affordable and accessible to underserved populations.
If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
My book would be about learning to see every unexpected turn in life—from career pivots to personal setbacks—not as obstacles to overcome but as opportunities for strength and resilience, and to teach us something essential about who we're meant to become.
What is something interesting about you that we should know?
My favorite quote is "Be a Pineapple. Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet."
