As a scientist, she published over 100 scientific papers on tropical diseases, viral infections and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Lee worked in the family's grocery store while continuing to pursue music and ballet.

She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in science at the University of Queensland, where she studied under Australian virologist and microbiologist Macfarlane Burnet.

[1][2] Taylor began her research career at Berkeley where she studied encephalitis and the impact of malnutrition on immune response.

Her work during this period contributed to the understanding of viral infections and specifically of HIV/AIDS when the medical community was still coming to terms with the complexity of the disease.

[1][2][5] Taylor not only helped keep the diplomats' presence a secret but also participated in the plan to smuggle them out of the country using false Canadian passports.

The citation called out her work as a research microbiologist and her role in the Iranian crisis and efforts in aiding the escape of six American diplomats from that country.