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Geri Spotlight: Pei Chen and Alex Lee
The Geriatrics Spotlight initiative fosters community building within the Division, especially during this age of hybrid/remote work where it can be challenging to find ways to interact with colleagues outside of your immediate teams. This is a way for Division members to learn more about all the wonderful work we’re doing!
This week, we get to know our division faculty, Pei Chen (pictured left) and Alex Lee (pictured right).
Role: Associate Professor, Geriatrics Fellowship Director
Joined Division: 2015
Work site: Mission Bay and SFVAHCS
Email: Pei.Chen@ucsf.edu
Interviewed by Alex Lee over lunch
About Pei’s Role/Ongoing Projects
As Geriatrics Fellowship Director, Pei is excited by anything fellowship-related. She is currently working on updating the R2R3 Core Block Curriculum on Geriatrics, with the help of Fellows and Chief Residents. This work contributes to the Division Mission of optimizing care of older adults through education. Pei sees herself teaching residents to be ‘mini geriatricians’ who will carry the principles of geriatrics with them as they continue through their medical careers.
Pei’s favorite aspect of her role is working with and supporting the Fellows.
What is a professional goal you would like to accomplish by the end of this year?
Pei would like to spend some time exploring innovative trainings for the Fellows, perhaps in NH care, consultative medicine, etc.
More about Pei
What is a “fun fact” about you that not many people know?
Pei’s hidden talent is packing. She can cram a lot of stuff in a small bag. Call her if you ever need help moving! ;)
What would your backup career be?
Pei would be a social worker as she loves to help people by having a caring relationship that supports them living a life they want to live. She also could also see herself being a voice actor in animations or cartoons for a backup career, which would be a lot of fun!
Role: Assistant Professor
Joined Division: 2018 as T32 Research Fellow, 2021 as Faculty
Work site: UCSF Mission Bay, SFVAHCS, and from home in San Mateo, CA
Email: Alexandra.Lee@ucsf.edu
Interviewed by Pei Chen over lunch
About Alex’s Role/Ongoing Projects
Alex is working with Division Faculty Sei Lee and Alex Smith to create a mortality prediction index that can be used in the California Prison system to identify incarcerees who may be eligible for compassionate release. She is excited about this project because it brings a clear practical benefit to a vulnerable population.
She is also excited about starting new projects on SGLT2i and GLP-1RA use in older adults, as there is a great need for research on the side effects in frail elders. These research projects will provide useful information for clinical decision-making for older adults.
Alex’s favorite aspect of her role is having the freedom to develop new research topics and finding great people to collaborate on them.
What is a professional goal you would like to accomplish by the end of this year?
Alex is looking forward to applying for her first R01 grant in 2024.
More about Alex
Any “fun facts” about you that not many people know?
Alex is a "masters swimmer” and swims with an adult swim team several times a week. When she was pregnant, she swam butterfly and did flip turns up until the day before she went into labor.
What are you happiest doing in your free time?
Alex is happiest hiking and cooking.
What would your backup career be?
Alex would be a swim coach! She loves teaching people of all ages how to swim and improve their stroke.