I have a long-standing interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying T cell activation and self-tolerance. My overarching research goal is to develop effective immunotherapy (IMT) strategies tailored to distinct cancer types. My research background has endowed me with research experiences ranging from basic T biology and transformation to cancer immunotherapy. During these studies, I have become proficient in a variety of skillsets that include multi-parameter flow cytometry, therapeutic responses and evaluation of tumor immune infiltrates using murine in vivo tumor models; as well as the development of a range of T cell functional assays using murine and human cells to evaluate proliferation, effector responses, cytotoxicity and phospho-flow to evaluate signaling cascades.
I have extensive teaching experience gained during my time UT Dell Medical School where I taught both basic and clinical immunology to first-year medical student. I am currently applying my experiences and focusing on applying my collective knowledge to better understand the potential of harnessing patients' endogenous tumor-specific immune responses for hematological malignancies and how their features may require tailored approaches from those that have been successful in many solid tumors. This includes studies of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL).