Dr. Kuk-Wha Lee's research interests involve the study of Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Over the past decade, IGFBPs have emerged as intrinsic effectors of cell growth and metabolism -- effects that can be unrelated to their ability to bind IGFs. She studies these molecules in a variety of eukaryotic systems and is involved in a clinical study to bring this to translation as a clinical therapy for men with prostate cancer. In addition, she is interested in the molecular mechanisms by which these molecules induce their tumor suppressive effects, and to that end studies protein partners and intracellular trafficking mechanisms as a means to understand their mode of action.