Our Team
Benhur Lee, MD
Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology
Principal Investigator
Professor, Department of Microbiology
Ward-Coleman Chair in Microbiology
MD, Alpha Omega Alpha, Yale University School of Medicine, 1995
BSc (magna cum laude) Santa Clara University, 1988
My lab is my surrogate family, I’m passionate about mentoring and #SciComm. I’m insatiably curious about molecular virus-host interactions, And I’m on a life long “Quest for good explanations.”
Pratyush Kumar Das, PhD
Senior Scientist Laboratory Manager/Lab Safety Officer
pratyush.das@mssm.edu
Ph.D. Gene Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia, 2015
I joined Dr. Benhur Lee’s lab as a Senior Scientist in March 2025 to study the molecular biology of paramyxoviruses with focus on virus mediated hijacking of host cell machinery. Along with doing basic molecular virology investigations, I like to learn new experimental techniques to complement my research. In my previous positions: 1) as a postdoc with Dr. Margaret Kielian at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, I studied entry and exit mechanism of Rubella virus 2) as a research fellow with Dr. Jussi Taipale at University of Helsinki, Finland, I studied DNA binding specificity of human transcription factors using high throughput SELEX and next generation sequencing 3) as a Ph.D. student with Dr. Andres Merits at University of Tartu, Estonia I characterized enzymatic activities of alphavirus nonstructural proteins. You may find my publications here.
Along with conducting research, as Laboratory Manager and Lab Safety Officer (LSO), in co-ordination with William and Benhur, I oversee, manage and optimize our lab operations.
In my free time I enjoy playing piano, doing weight training and cooking.
William Klain, MS
Associate Researcher I
klain.w@northeastern.edu
B.S. and M.S. in Bioengineering with a Cell and Tissue Engineering Concentration from Northeastern University, 2023.
It is a pleasure to say my passion for virology has lead me to conduct a great variety of intriguing experiments for the Benhur Lee Lab. I am currently a technician in the lab and have taken up some lab managerial duties as well. I am involved in research pertaining to emerging zoonotic pathogens, more specifically bat paramyxoviruses, investigating virus-host interactions. I am highly interested in viruses with epidemic potential, since there could be a real chance they could spread to humans, as NiV unfortunately already has. Exploring mechanisms of how these viruses bind, replicate, and infect at a cellular level is crucial for designing therapeutic approaches against them. I am glad I am surrounded by a lab full of wonderful people who work together for this purpose.
Outside of the lab I enjoy listening/making music, playing/watching basketball & soccer(Proud Liverpool Supporter), and going to the beach for some gnarly waves.
Chuan Tien Hung, PhD
Associate Scientist
chuan-tien.hung@mssm.edu
PhD Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Microbiology, Chang-Gung University, Taiwan 🇹🇼, 2016
During my PhD training, I’m always fascinated by how virus exploit cellular factors to potentiate its own propagation. Since joining the lab in 2017, my work has been primarily focused on the viral structural protein matrix, which is critical to viral assembly and budding. Our matrix interactome reveals paramyxovirus-matrix interact with wide variety of host factors and we are interested in some of these interaction.s
I now try to decipher the non-structural role of matrix in host-pathogen interactions and its outcome for the virus replication.
Mohamed Ouizougun-Oubari, Ph.D
Post-doc
Mohamed.ouizougun-oubari@mssm.edu
PhD, Institut Pasteur/Sorbonne Université – Paris 2020
During my scientific training, I always been interested by the structure-activity relationship, especially the protein-protein interactions (PPI) of viral proteins. I always been fascinated on how Mononegavirales could complete a full replicative cycle with only 5-12 proteins.
My PhD research in Paris was focused on the structural characterization between the nucleoprotein and the phosphoprotein of RSV, and characterizing a druggable pocket at the interaction site of the two partners. Then I was focusing on a structure based study on the polymerase L of PIV3. Since I have joined the Lee Lab in 2023, I apply and share the knowledge I have earned during my previous training to study not only the replicative machinery of this family but also the different steps of the viral cycle of some paramyxoviruses.
Rebecca Reis, PhD
Post-doc
Rebecca.reis@mssm.edu
PhD in Microbiology from The University of Chicago, 2023
BS in Biology from Saint Mary’s College, 2016
BS in Philosophy from Saint Mary’s College, 2016
Since joining the lab in 2023, I’ve had the opportunity to expand me research into new and exciting areas of paramyxovirus biology. My interests focus primarily on understanding the innate immune evasion mechanisms of paramyxoviruses, using computational approaches to understand conserved features of paramyxovirus biology, and using paramyxoviruses as vectors.
Outside of lab you can find me trying new restaurants, running, or listening to live music around the city.
Griffin Haas
PhD Student
griffin.haas@icahn.mssm.edu
B.S. in Biology with a Cellular and Molecular Concentration from Duke University, 2019.
I am a fifth year PhD Candidate in the Lee Lab who has a love for all things virology. I am highly interested in emerging zoonotic paramyxoviruses which circulate within bats and other wildlife reservoirs. Specifically, my research focuses on improving our understanding of wildlife paramyxoviruses which have been identified through metagenomics but have never been isolated in culture. Many of these virus species without isolates are greatly understudied, and much work is needed to better characterize these species for improved pandemic preparedness and response.
My work focuses on generating systems that allow us to safely study emerging paramyxoviruses at all levels of biocontainment. With biocontained life-cycle modeling systems, we can safely study pathogens at BSL-2 and prioritize experimental resources at higher biocontainment. I am BSL-4 certified and frequently conduct high containment work with collaborators at the Shope Lab at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
My research strives to provide the scientific community with a better understanding of emerging paramyxovirus biology and to help develop/identify preventative and therapeutic measures against zoonotic paramyxoviruses.
Outside of the lab I enjoy walking my dog in Prospect park, dabbling in graphic design/art, and exploring the food scene in NYC!
Guzman-Solis, Axel
PhD Student
axel.guzman-solis@icahn.mssm.edu
As an undergraduate student, I was involved in performing some of the first paleogenomic studies in Latin America at the International Laboratory for human genome research (LIIGH-UNAM). Using ancient DNA and metagenomics from archeological human remains, we were able to reconstruct viral genomes and associate their introduction to the Americas with the enforced transportation of African people.
TWiV: https://youtu.be/ZzFd3QO8MIY?si=f8Y9E1N2UVwrAskf
I joined the Lee lab in 2022 as a PhD student motivated to learn about emerging viruses, reverse genetics, receptor-mediated viral entry and the development of antivirals/antibodies as the next steps from viral discovery through metagenomics. Currently, my main projects focus on characterizing neutralizing antibody responses against a broad range of Henipaviruses to guide into rationally designed mAb therapeutics/vaccines.
Outside the lab you can find me running in central park, reading, visiting art museums or hanging out with friends..