Dr. Daehyun Lee Blog

I’m Dr. Dae Hyun Lee, a cardio-oncology physician-scientist currently based at the University of South Florida, and soon to join the University of Pennsylvania as an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Cardiology.

My journey into medicine and research began in South Korea, where I earned my medical degree from Inha University in 2012. From the earliest days of medical school, I was drawn to the role of a physician-scientist—someone who not only cares for patients but also seeks to answer pressing clinical questions through research. With this vision in mind, I set out to pursue opportunities that would allow me to bridge medicine and science on a global stage.

After graduating, I joined Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology. My time there—from 2012 to 2013—was formative: I became deeply involved and engaged in cardiovascular biology research, confirming my desire to pursue academic clinical training in the United States.

Between 2014 and 2017, I returned to Korea to fulfill my mandatory public health service as a physician. During that time, I completed the USMLE examinations, received my ECFMG certification, and prepared for the next phase of my career- physician trainee in the US. In 2017, I matched into the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine.

At USF, I was fortunate to be selected for the ABIM Physician-Scientist Research Pathway, which provided dedicated research time during my internal medicine and cardiology training. From early in residency, I found interest in cardio-oncology— because of the mentorship from Dr. Michael Fradley and the unique clinical and research exposure at Moffitt Cancer Center, a nationally recognized NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Throughout my trainee period, I became immersed in various therapies for cancer and their cardiovascular implications, shaping the foundation of my current clinical and academic interest.

After completing seven years in the physician-scientist track, I now serve as Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at USF and Moffitt Cancer Center. In July 2025, I will be joining the University of Pennsylvania, where I aim to further my research and clinical work in cardio-oncology, clonal hematopoiesis, and cancer therapy-related cardiovascular disease.

My Plan for Blog:

This blog is a reflection of the path I’ve taken—and a resource for those navigating similar ones. My goals are to:

• Support and mentor international trainees, especially medical graduates from South Korea, who are pursuing physician-scientist careers in the U.S.
• Build a platform for patient education and public engagement, particularly around cardiovascular health in the context of cancer treatment

Whether you’re a medical student, resident, fellow, physician, I hope this space serves as a helpful and honest guide to the challenges and rewards of this unique career path.

Thank you for visiting—and I look forward to growing this platform together.

— Dae Hyun Lee, MD