My passion for cancer research stems from the early work starting in the 1940’s by Gross, Prehn and Main, and the Klein’s work that clearly demonstrated that an immunization with tumor cells provides complete concomitant immunity against a subsequent tumor challenge. The recent scientific advancements in genomics and immunology have begun to identify the factors that contribute to this complete immunity. Yet, not a single therapy has proven strong enough to show the same highly specific protection to a subsequent tumor challenge as whole tumor cell immunization. This gap in our knowledge is where my research interests reside.

My career in cancer immunotherapy began with focusing on somatic mutations that give rise to tumor-specific antigens, or neoantigens. After thoroughly testing hundreds of putative neoantigens, we identified novel criteria that can predict a tumor rejection mediating neoantigen. Furthermore, we characterized the necessary T cell phenotype that mediates this tumor response. The results of the study left us with surprising findings in tumor immunity and more questions than we came in with. These questions lay the foundation for my lab's research.

Another major aspect of my lab is investigating how to overcome the tumor microenvironment’s suppressive abilities. We are investigating the molecules secreted by the tumor microenvironment that inhibit T cell infiltration. Our study revealed a novel target overexpressed by multiple cancers. We have observed an increase in tumor burden and inhibition of T-cell infiltration and function in the presence of this molecule. We are currently unraveling the molecular mechanisms of inhibition of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, TIL. Through understanding the mechanisms behind this novel molecule, we can further understand the mechanisms surrounding tumor escape and develop new treatment modalities.

Not accepting lab rotations at this time.

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