Samantha Y. Lee, Ph.D., is the Senior Director of Research Strategy and Operations for the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer at the Jackson Laboratory (JAX). In this role, she supports the Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer in executing strategies for scientific growth and innovation. She works closely with senior leaders in research and education to implement the organization’s long-term priorities and ensure alignment across key initiatives. She supervises professionals who support research programs and NIH-funded centers, deliver research administration and project management, and oversee the faculty appointment and promotion process. She also collaborates with facilities and operations teams to ensure that research infrastructure supports evolving programmatic needs. Her work includes facilitating cross-functional coordination, supporting administrative program reviews, and contributing to the development and execution of JAX’s broader research and innovation goals.
In her previous roles, Samantha developed and implemented governance standards within the nonprofit and higher education sectors. As the Strategic Plan and Board of Advisors Manager at the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB), she guided the implementation of the organization's strategic planning goals and served as the communication link between the leadership and society members. Before joining SDB, Samantha was Program Director at the Graduate School of the University of Notre Dame. In this capacity, she raised the university's profile by spearheading efforts to improve proposal writing services, foster greater stakeholder engagement, and develop digital content for Ph.D. students and early career scholars. Her initiatives led to Notre Dame graduate students attaining a record-breaking level of merit-based funding. Samantha also successfully secured grants from several agencies and foundations.
Samantha's field of specialization is microbial metabolites, specifically volatile organic compounds and non-volatile mycotoxins, for improved agricultural production. She collaborates with academic institutions, government labs, and industry researchers to improve agriculture and sustainability. Adept at collaborative leadership with over 15 years of project management experience, she holds numerous leadership and service positions in higher education institutions and professional societies.