[1] The work in the Dintzis’ lab centered on the Immunon model of the immune cell signaling around the synthesis of multivalent peptide constructs.

He subsequently moved to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (Bethesda, MD) as a Research Instructor under Dr. Fred Finkelman and James J. Mond, although Lees’ laboratory work was in the National Institutes of Health Laboratory of Immunology headed by William E. Paul.

There, under the guidance of Dr. John Inman, Lees learned bioconjugation, the linking together of biologically relevant molecules to increase their utility.

In 1992, Lees set up his own lab at the Uniformed Services University and it was there that he developed the CDAP chemistry for use in conjugate vaccines.

Lees was appointed associate research professor (Department of Medicine) at USUHS in 1998, and the School cited his work in vaccines in his Meritorious Service Award (1999).