Pioneering researcher at UPenn transformed scientists' understanding of brain diseases

Breaking 5 people are shot in DC's Logan Circle neighborhood, including 1 killed at a gym, a witness says Art of Aging Pioneering researcher at UPenn transformed scientists' understanding of brain diseases Meet a pioneering researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, a woman whose work has transformed scientists' understanding of diseases of the brain. By Tamala Edwards , Steph Walton Thursday, November 12, 2026 4:04PM Share Philadelphia (WPVI) -- Dr. Virginia Lee is a world-renowned neuroscientist. "It is an exciting time to be doing research in neurodegenerative diseases," says Dr. Virginia Lee, an endowed chair at the University of Pennsylvania's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. She says now people can be diagnosed and there are treatments. "It is amazing," she says. "These two are actually antibodies." Each of these blocks represents her discovery of a specific protein. "These are synthetic molecule chemicals," she says. Her work has revolutionized scientific understanding of neurogenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS. "It was really hard work," she says. "There were so many false starts and we had antibodies that never went anywhere." Dr. Lee was born in China at the end of World War II. "China was really kind of a mess. They were being invaded by the Japanese," she says. By the age of 11, she realized education was her ticket to a better life. 5 people are shot in DC's Logan Circle neighborhood, including 1 killed at a gym, a witness says 1 hour ago Man shot during altercation with police during traffic stop in Southwest Philadelphia: Officials 2 hours ago SS United States completes final voyage, sinks to Gulf floor to become artificial reef "So I said, okay, I'm going to do science," she says. While doing her post-doctoral research, she met John Trojanowski, who would become her partner in life and in the lab. "There are things in life that are sometimes meant to be," she says. "We were together for 45 years." In 1991, they started the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at the University of Pennsylvania. "In terms of research in neuropathology, Penn actually was one of the best places at that time," she says. They collected thousands of brain tissue samples from people who died of diseases like Alzheimer's. "Looking at the number of plaques and tangles and so on," she says. "And then I extract, you know, the diseased protein from them, and then trying to ID them." At the age of 80, Dr. Lee has passed the baton to ensure the work will continue with the next generation of researchers. "Science has gone so far in the last 50 years in terms of our understanding for neurodegenerative diseases," she says. "We're really in a different era, different times." Penn Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved. Related Topics HEALTH & FITNESS PHILADELPHIA ART OF AGING FEEL GOOD Meet the Grand Marshal of the 12th annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade Mother, daughter duo work to save bats at conservation & rehab center PCA's Senior Strut promotes healthy aging and community among seniors Centro Hispano CASA Senior Center supporting older adults in Reading Watch Live ON NOW 1 dead, 4 injured in Washington, D.C. shooting; suspect contained: Police 1 hour ago Man shot during altercation with police during traffic stop: Officials 2 hours ago SS United States completes final voyage, sinks to Gulf floor AccuWeather: Gusty thunderstorms today Philadelphia woman charged in attack on Central Park carriage drivers 2 hours ago