"We use speech all the time, but we rarely think about it," explained Lee with a smile. "Language is one of the most interesting behaviors that a human being can exhibit."

A native of Taiwan, Lee is particularly interested in the differences between the speech sounds of native English speakers and non-native English speakers.   In English, different acoustic tones are used to imply emotion, whereas in Chinese, different acoustic sounds using the same syllable are completely different words.

"In Chinese speech, for instance, the syllable 'ma' can mean horse, grass, or mother," said Lee. "It all depends on the tone of the word."

As a 2006-2007 University professor, Lee chose to teach a class called "The Science of Speech Communication" to help students make some discoveries about their own voices. The class discusses the aspects of speech that are unique to the human race and learn to think about speech in new ways.

"Speech sounds are so complex that computer voice technology performance is still far below the human level," said Lee. "You have to understand speech to analyze it."

To help the students in his classes understand, he makes the classroom as interactive as possible.  All the students have the right scientific instrument: their own voice.  They use samples of their speech to analyze melodies for acoustic properties on a computer. 

Lee studied psychology as an undergraduate student in Taiwan, and then went on to receive a master’s degree in linguistics and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, both from Brown University.  His interdisciplinary studies, he says, help him bring a broad base of knowledge into the classroom. 

"We need different perspectives to understand how language affects us," said Lee. 

Lee teaches students not only speech and language science, but also larger life skills. 

"I do not expect students to remember every single fact I teach them," said Lee. "I do hope that they develop a scientific way of thinking and problem solving, and then use it for life."

Outside the classroom, Lee also serves as a faculty adviser for the Chinese Students Association and the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association.  He is frequently in his office, ready to give students, advice, knowledge, or just conversation. 

Asked what advice he would give a first-year college student, Lee drew from his own experience in school.

"Have an open mind and experience something before you decide whether it is useful to you," said Lee. "No matter what career you choose, you will need to know about a variety of topics."