This prestigious award recognises outstanding scientific contributions in microscopy for established mid-career researchers. 

Professor Lee, who leads The Lee Lab at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, specialises in biophysical chemistry and the development of advanced imaging techniques. His Lab uses fluorescence spectroscopy and super-resolution imaging to explore fundamental biological processes. With the new imaging technique, The Lee Lab has improved the resolution of microscopy to see biological processes at least ten times better than conventional methods. 

A new technique that they have developed is multi-dimensional super-resolution imaging which views a cell using a honeycomb-like lens that gives a three-dimensional image of a cell. These techniques have been used to look at different biological processes such as how the body changes with a new infection and the mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease in the brain.

In addition to his outstanding research, Steven is also the co-founder and former CEO of Zomp, a spin-out company developing a next-generation flow cytometer – a powerful instrument for analysing the physical and chemical characteristics of cells and particles. Zomp’s flow cytometer will be the world’s first with high throughput and 3D imaging, a crucial evolution of the technology that will increase imaging efficiency and resolution.