Dr. Jihye Lee | Nursing | Best Researcher Award

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles | United States

Dr. Jihye Lee is a postdoctoral fellow at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles whose academic development spans undergraduate and graduate training in nursing, followed by advanced doctoral research focused on pediatric cardiology and somatic growth in children with congenital heart disease. Her clinical background includes extensive practice as a registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner in a major pediatric congenital heart disease center, supporting children and adolescents with complex cardiac conditions. She specializes in transition care for young patients with chronic diseases, somatic growth outcomes in congenital heart disease, and the influence of clinical and psychosocial factors on pediatric health trajectories. Her research skills include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, quantitative study design, data curation, retrospective analyses, and interdisciplinary collaboration with cardiology and pediatric health teams. She is proficient in developing evidence-based interventions, conducting twin studies, and analyzing growth, nutrition, and developmental outcomes in medically vulnerable populations. Dr. Lee has received multiple scholarships and travel awards recognizing her research leadership, academic merit, and contribution to advancing pediatric nursing science. Her work reflects a dedication to improving quality of life and long-term outcomes for children with heart disease, demonstrating a strong commitment to health equity, family-centered care, and research that bridges clinical practice with meaningful patient-centered improvements.