Dr. Sun Lee

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Sun Lee. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Dr. Sun Young Lee is a board-certified retina surgeon and clinician-scientist at the University of Southern California, serving as tenured Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Physiology, and Neuroscience. He has extensive expertise in diagnosing and managing complex, vision-threatening retinal conditions. Dr. Lee specializes in age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal diseases, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and surgical complications. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his surgical precision and clinical expertise, demonstrating a seamless dedication to patient care. Dr. Lee’s patient care is empowered by cutting-edge research funded by the National Eye Institute, where his laboratory investigates the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the pathogenesis and treatment of retinal disease. He leads the development of EV-based intraocular therapies, a transformative approach to targeted drug delivery, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine for blinding retinal disorders. Dr. Lee’s research is committed to restoring and preserving vision for patients with challenging conditions that have limited treatment options.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2015-01-01 — Present

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

Associate Professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, specializing in retinal conditions.

Awards

#

Fellow

#

Young Investigator Award

#

Mina Chung Research Award

#

Clinician Scientist Development Award

#

Research Award

#

Travel Grant

#

Dr. Henry & Lilian Nesburn Award

#

Travel Grant

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.