Giorgio Parmiani, MD
San Raffaele Foundation
In recognition of his outstanding research, work, and achievements in cancer therapy, the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc) proudly presented the Richard V. Smalley MD Memorial Award to Giorgio Parmiani, MD. Dr. Parmiani presented the keynote address on Friday, October 31 during the iSBTc 2008 Annual Meeting.
Giorgio Parmiani holds an MD from the University of Milan. He was trained in Tumor Immunology at the Institute for Cancer Research of Philadelphia (1970-71) under the supervision of Richmond T. Prehn, one of the founders of Modern Tumor Immunology. In Italy he worked at the Instituto Nazionale Tumori where, in 1984, he was appointed Director of the Division of Experimental Oncology and, in 1998, as Deputy Scientific Director and Head of the Department of Innovative Therapies. In 1994, he started the PhD Program in Molecular Oncology at the same institution. In January 2007, he moved to the San Raffaele Foundation Scientific Institute, where he is currently the Head of the Unit of Immuno-Biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors.
Dr. Parmiani's research interests have been focused on the study of Molecular Characterization of Human Tumor Antigens and the T-cell response to them, particularly in melanoma patients. His interests have also focused on studies of immunotherapy in melanoma, colorectal, and prostate cancer patients, primarily with gene-modified cellular vaccines, along with peptide or heat-shock protein-based vaccines.
Dr. Parmiani has published over 400 papers in the field of tumor immunology, mostly in internationally peer-reviewed journals. He has been awarded several national and international prizes. Dr. Parmiani has participated as invited speaker in many international meetings and has served as expert in several scientific committees and scientific advisory boards.
(Biography as of November 2008)