Joshua Lee
MD (University of Toronto), PhD (UBC)
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
Full Member
Dr. Joshua Lee is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of British Columbia and a neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related neuroimmunological disorders. He completed a PhD in Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia, medical school at the University of Toronto, neurology residency at the University of British Columbia, and fellowship training in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Lee’s clinical and academic training spans multiple disciplines within the spectrum of MS and related disorders, integrating expertise in genetics, epidemiology, neuroimmunology, and advanced neuroimaging. In addition to caring for patients at the UBC MS & NMO Clinic, he maintains an active outpatient general neurology practice and is a staff neurologist at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital. He is actively involved in teaching and mentoring medical students, residents and fellows, and research trainees.
Dr. Lee’s research program focuses on the clinical application of advanced MRI biomarkers to better understand, diagnose, monitor, and treat MS and related neuroinflammatory or neurodegenerative disorders. His translational work emphasizes the application of advanced neuroimaging markers of chronic active inflammation to real-world MS care, with a focus on understanding drivers of disease progression and the biological basis of symptoms that are not adequately explained by conventional MRI. The overarching goal of Dr. Lee’s clinical and research work is to advance practical tools and knowledge that improve care and quality of life for people living with MS and related conditions.
Contact Info
Research Information
Dr. Lee’s research program focuses on the development and clinical translation of advanced MRI biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related neuroinflammatory disorders. He is particularly interested in neuroimaging markers of chronic active, or “smouldering,” inflammation and their application to clinically relevant problems that are not adequately addressed by conventional MRI. As a member of the UBC MS MRI Research Group, he collaborates with clinicians and imaging scientists on foundational and translational research utilizing advanced imaging to improve MS diagnosis, prognostication, disease monitoring, clinical decision-making, and therapeutic development. He is particularly interested in applying advanced neuroimaging techniques to elucidate the biological basis of complex MS symptoms for which conventional imaging is limited. Many of these symptoms—including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, mood disturbance, and pain—have profound impacts on quality of life but correlate poorly with conventional imaging biomarkers. By
combining his expertise in advanced neuroimaging and MS clinical care, his research aims to translate novel imaging biomarkers into practical tools for precision diagnosis, individualized prognostication, therapeutic monitoring, and personalized treatment to improve the lives of people living with MS and related disorders.
Keywords
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroimaging
- Advanced MRI
- Neurocognitive outcomes