I am a well-funded investigator in cancer immunotherapy with a history of expertise in tumor immunology of solid tumors (e.g., pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other cancers) extending back to my graduate studies. I am also currently serving as (A) a leader of Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center for Signaling and Biotechnology Program, and (B) an advisor to NCI for the research gaps and future directions in cancer adoptive cell therapy (ACT). As a CPRIT Scholar, I will draw from these experiences to work toward my overall goal of developing more effective cancer immunotherapeutic approaches to treat solid tumors.

I will do this by achieving the following overarchi...

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I am a well-funded investigator in cancer immunotherapy with a history of expertise in tumor immunology of solid tumors (e.g., pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and other cancers) extending back to my graduate studies. I am also currently serving as (A) a leader of Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center for Signaling and Biotechnology Program, and (B) an advisor to NCI for the research gaps and future directions in cancer adoptive cell therapy (ACT). As a CPRIT Scholar, I will draw from these experiences to work toward my overall goal of developing more effective cancer immunotherapeutic approaches to treat solid tumors.

I will do this by achieving the following overarching objectives:

1. I will build on the studies within my own laboratory group to develop novel strategies to reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, restore cytotoxic T cell activation, and overcome primary resistance and acquired resistance to ACT.
2. I will use a team science approach to compete for extramural program funding, leveraging expertise and achievements of other Houston Methodist research teams in cancer immunology, cell therapy, and translation of therapies to clinical trials. By establishing collaborative programs with other investigators and oncologists, we will synergistically tackle major clinical challenges in ACT, applying interdisciplinary approaches toward the development of better treatment options and expanding into other cancers.
3. I will focus on translating my laboratory’s discoveries into clinical application.

Houston Methodist has the critical infrastructure, facilities, and clinical platforms to help initiate clinical studies, including one that seeks to examine the efficacy of a novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell ACT in hepatocellular carcinoma and B-cell lymphomas.

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