Biography

Dr. Posey is Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. In addition, he holds the position of Research Health Scientist at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Dr. Posey has been recognized for his achievements in cancer research as the inaugural awardee of the AACR-Lustgarten Foundation Career Development Award in Pancreatic Cancer Research, which pays homage to the late Congressman John Robert Lewis, as well as a V Scholar.

Dr. Posey leads an independent and cutting-edge research laboratory that is at the forefront of advancing chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T cell) technologies. His research focuses on identifying tumor-specific antigens for targeted therapies, enhancing the durable persistence of engineered T cells, and synergizing the potency of CAR T cells with additional effector molecules. Notably, Dr. Posey's laboratory has a special interest in investigating the impact of changes in tumor glycosylation on the immune microenvironment, including immune suppression and resistance to immunotherapy.

In addition to his pioneering research endeavors, Dr. Posey serves as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cellular Immunotherapies. In this role, he leads two cancer immunotherapy research training programs specifically designed for underrepresented minority undergraduate students, showcasing his unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the field of cancer research.

Dr. Posey's academic background includes a PhD in genetics from the University of Chicago, as well as a BS in biochemistry and a second BS in bioinformatics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Carl June at the University of Pennsylvania before joining the faculty in 2016 as an Instructor and subsequently as an Assistant Professor in 2019.

Dr. Posey has been an active member of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) and currently serves on multiple committees, including the Cellular Therapy Committee, the Strategic Plan Task Force, the Global Access and Impact Committee, and the DEI Task Force. He has also made significant contributions to various SITC initiatives, including co-organizing the 2021 SITC workshop "Interrogating the Tumor-Specific Surfaceome for Immune Targeting," moderating the Diversity Panel Discussion on Asian Experience in Cancer Research hosted by SITC, CAHON, and IACA in 2021, and participating as a panelist in the 2022 SITC "Barriers to Black and African Americans in Science and Medicine" Diversity Panel. Notably, Dr. Posey's insights led to the establishment of the "Introduction to Cancer Immunotherapy Day" for underrepresented undergraduates residing in the region of the annual SITC meeting, which he helped organize. He also co-moderated the SITC-ESMO IO 2022 Primer, chaired the "Bias & Diversity in Cancer Research" session at the 2022 SITC Annual Meeting, and participated in the SITC Spring Scientific Meeting.

Dr. Posey's dedication to advancing cancer immunotherapy, promoting diversity and inclusivity, and his significant contributions to the SITC community make him a respected early-stage investigator in the field of cancer immunotherapy research.

SITC Election Platform Statement

What are the two or three critical issues facing the field of cancer immunotherapy?

For over a decade, cancer immunotherapy has demonstrated remarkable success in achieving cancer remissions and responses, underscoring the pivotal role of the immune system in cancer treatment. Notably, drug platforms such as checkpoint inhibitors, bi-specific T cell engagers, adoptive cellular therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates have emerged as groundbreaking advancements in medical history. Despite these achievements, the scope of patient responses remains limited, with only a minority benefiting from these therapies, and numerous challenges persist, including the identification of predictive biomarkers for response and toxicity, and the need to expand efficacy and access to a broader patient population.

Three critical imperatives facing the field of cancer immunotherapy include:

1. Fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce: To amplify the impact of cancer immunotherapy, it is imperative to cultivate a diverse workforce that is reflective of the general population, encompassing researchers, clinicians, and clinical trial participants from underrepresented minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and individuals in economically and geographically disadvantaged regions. SITC can play a pivotal role by expanding grant opportunities to support the career development of early-stage investigators from diverse backgrounds, as well as investing in pipeline development programs for high school and undergraduate students with an interest in cancer immunotherapy.

2. Promoting global access: Disparities in 5-year survival rates for patients with immunotherapy-responsive cancers persist at unacceptable levels in today's globalized world. As the field of cancer immunotherapy strives to reduce cancer to a survivable condition, addressing issues related to drug costs and access through policy advocacy and innovation is crucial. SITC can take a leadership role by establishing policy fellowships to train and engage scientists and clinicians in advocacy efforts for governmental legislation and coordination, aimed at addressing global inequities in cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, convening major stakeholders to collectively seek solutions can contribute to meaningful progress in this area.

3. Advancing the understanding of glycosylation's impact on resistance to cancer immunotherapy: While the success of cancer immunotherapy has spurred multidisciplinary interest in optimizing efficacy and advancing beyond first-generation therapeutics, the role of cellular glycosylation in cancer immunity remains an area that warrants deeper exploration. SITC should consider expanding on its previous "Surfaceome" workshop by organizing a series of webinars on glyco-immuno-oncology to educate the community and explore opportunities for integrating the study of glycosylation in the field.

What is Your Vision for SITC?

SITC is globally recognized as the foremost society dedicated to the advancement of cancer immunotherapy. Anchored by our expertise in checkpoint inhibition and a dynamic expansion into cellular therapies, mRNA and nanoparticle vaccines, and oncolytic viruses, the SITC community remains at the forefront of driving breakthroughs in cancer treatment and advancing efforts towards a cure. As a member of the At-Large Board of Directors, my vision for SITC encompasses a strategic expansion of our community's impact through fostering inclusivity, promoting multidisciplinary research collaborations, and advocating for robust career development opportunities for early-stage investigators. I am committed to enhancing the diversity of the SITC research and clinical community, as well as facilitating educational initiatives for diverse patient populations. Additionally, I will continue to work closely with the Global Access Committee to ensure equitable access to cancer immunotherapy in low- and middle-income countries, while also fostering the growth of cancer immunotherapy researchers in economically and geographically disadvantaged regions.

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