After graduating from Princeton University (A.B.) and the University of Pittsburgh (Ph.D.), Dr. Lief joined the faculty of Wheeling Jesuit University. He is now Professor of Biology and teaches courses in General Biology, Genetics, and Developmental Biology. Dr. Lief also mentors student research projects and has taught in Freshman Year Experience, Religious Studies and Theology, Clinical Science, and Computer Science. Author of more than a dozen peer-reviewed scientific publications, Dr. Lief is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Developmental Biology, the National Science Teachers' Association, the Society for College Science Teaching, and the American Association of University Professors. His diverse research interests have included prostate cancer brachytherapy, the population genetics of the domestic cat, and the nuclear development of ciliated protists.

Dr. Lief is also Research Associate at the Schiffler Cancer Center of Wheeling Hospital where he performs statistical analyses, presents data, and reviews the designs of experiments which evaluate prostate brachytherapy.