Goals for AACR
Biomedical science has arguably had its greatest successes in the last several decades in cancer research and cancer immunotherapy. It has never been more important to double down on our scientific progress, rapidly advancing foundational scientific discoveries, clinical translation, and engagement with patients, advocates, and society at large. AACR is the premier organization capable of supporting this diverse mission and leading the way for all biomedical science. I would be honored to help AACR continue to foster a vocal emphasis on the importance of the unparalleled biomedical research engine in the United States to accelerate our ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer.
Research Interests
T-cell exhaustion and the mechanisms that limit T-cell responses during chronic infections and cancer; immune checkpoint pathways, including PD-1, that can reinvigorate exhausted T-cells; molecular and epigenetic programs that define exhausted T-cell states; systems immunology approaches to characterize immune health across diseases; pharmacodynamic effects of therapeutic interventions on key immune pathways; immunology of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination; deep immune profiling to identify biomarkers that can inform and refine treatment strategies.
Current Affiliations
Director, Colton Center for Autoimmunity; director, immune health project; chair, systems pharmacology and translational therapeutics; co-program leader, immunobiology program, Abramson Cancer Center; codirector, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and director, Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Previous Positions
Professor, microbiology (2015-2018), associate professor, microbiology (2010-2015), and Wistar Assistant Professor, microbiology (2005-2010), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; assistant professor, immunology, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2005-2010); research track assistant professor, microbiology and immunology, Emory University (2004).
Education
PhD, immunology, University of Washington, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2000); BS, science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania (1993).
Postdoctoral Training
Postdoctoral fellow, Emory University (2000-2004), Atlanta, Georgia.
Selected AACR Service, Honors, and Awards
Co-organizer, AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Mechanisms of Cancer Immunity and Cancer Related Autoimmunity (2025); invited speaker, AACR Symposium on Immunology and Immunotherapy (2025); member, Annual Meeting 2025 Program Committee (2024); Fellow, AACR Academy (2024); invited speaker, education session, AACR Annual Meeting (2024); recipient, AACR-CRI Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology (2023); invited speaker, AACR Annual Meeting (2023); invited speaker, AACR Annual Meeting (2022); program committee chair and meeting organizer, AACR COVID and Cancer Symposium (2021); member, AACR COVID and Cancer Forum, AACR Annual Meeting (2021); member, AACR COVID-19 and Cancer Task Force (2020); chair, AACR-Cancer Research Institute Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology Selection Committee (2020-present); scientific editor, Cancer Discovery (2019-present); member, AACR-Bristol-Myers Squibb Fellowships in Translational Immuno-oncology Review Committee (2016-2018); senior editor, Cancer Immunology Research (2016-present).
Selected Honors, Awards, and Non-AACR Service
Elected member, National Academy of Sciences (2025); keynote speaker, Translational Cancer Centers Consortium Retreat (2025); elected member, National Academy of Medicine (2024); Marshak Keynote Speaker, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Research Retreat (2024); member, Board of Scientific Counselors, National Cancer Institute (2023-present); elected member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023); keynote speaker, Lofoten Immunology Conference (2023); keynote speaker, Korean Association of Immunology (2023); recipient, Stanley N. Cohen Biomedical Research Award (2021); keynote speaker, Eckhard Podack Memorial Lecture, University of Miami Symposium (2021); keynote speaker, 10X Genomics Symposium (2021); member, Scientific Advisory Board, BreakThrough Cancer (2021-2024); ad hoc director and member, Board of Directors, Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (2020-present); associate director, Scientific Advisory Council, Cancer Research Institute (2019-present); recipient, Stand Up to Cancer Sharp Award (2018); member, Scientific Advisory Board, Mark Foundation for Cancer Research (2017-present); president’s symposium keynote invited speaker, American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting (2016); chair and member, Brant Strategic Advisory Board, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2013-2016); member, Scientific Advisory Board, Ragon Institute, Harvard University Massachusetts General Hospital and Michigan Institute of Technology (2013-present).