
R&D Specialist, Velocigene
Regeneron
“Since my first biology class in high school, I have been fascinated by human health and function,” says Brittany Lee. That fascination has taken her far: After majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry at SUNY Oneonta, she started working at Regeneron in 2014 and today is an R&D Specialist at the Tarrytown firm.
“I work in Velocigene, the functional genomics department of Regeneron, which produces genetically modified animal models that are studied by Regeneron scientists,” explains Lee, who grew up in Somers and lives in White Plains. “My main role, among my group members, is to determine the genetic modifications present in each of these animals.”
She led the genotyping group that collaborated with Velocigene’s technology development group to create a new mouse-modeling pipeline, one of her proudest accomplishments. “As a result of these efforts, a process that was complex and multifaceted became much more efficient and transparent so that mice could be studied for some of our most critical projects,” she says of the work, which garnered her a nomination for an internal R&D appreciation award. But it isn’t the only recognition she’s received: She’s also earned two promotions since joining the group and was an integral member of Regeneron’s culture committee.
Lee is pursuing a graduate degree in biotechnology from St. John’s University and plans to be at Regeneron for the foreseeable future. “Knowing that I am helping to find a treatment for patients who are suffering from a disease or illness motivates me in my career at Regeneron,” she says.