My research focuses on the investigation of the immunity in the hepatic microenvrionment in pancreatic cancer liver metastases. Specifically, how the tumor cell-intrinsic factors crosstalk with the hepatic tumor microenvironment to suppress the anti-tumor immune response in the liver
My PhD research was focused on the association between skin inflammation and melanoma. I am currently focusing on the cancer vaccine/immunotherapy.
I am currently evaluating the efficacy of PD-L1 overexpression in genetically engineered breast cancer cells as a strategy to impede T-cell infiltration into immunogenic cancers and directly inhibit T-cell function. This will serve as a model to evaluate the utility of the broader focus of the research project I am a part of, which is to investigate the potential therapeutic role of PD-L1 as an immunosuppressive agent in preventing immune rejection after heart transplantation.
The overarching goal of my research is to characterize fundamental mechanisms of tolerance by which tumor cells evade adaptive immunity during metastasis and the latent phase before recurrence. I am particularly interested in how normal processes wherein immune tolerance is critical, such as wound healing and embryo implantation, are co-opted by tumor cells throughout the metastatic cascade for long-term survival. In addition, I recently identified DKK3 as a dormant tumor-derived factor that promotes regulatory T cells in the microenvironment and I am currently working to define precise pathways that mediate this function.
I am currently investigating innate immune checkpoints in metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). I am interested in how blockade of these innate immune checkpoints in combination with clinical treatments for cancer can decrease the growth of tumors. More broadly, I aim to further existing knowledge in how innate immune checkpoint blockade can enhance adaptive and innate immune responses to cancer.
I am interested in understanding how innate immune checkpoints regulate immune responses against cancer. I am also investigating the combination of immune checkpoint inhibition with chemotherapy, antibodies and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve existing cancer treatment.
Having just graduated from Duke University with a BS in Biology and a concentration in pharmacology, I am utilizing my time as a technician in the Hartman lab to further my knowledge and experience in biomedical research. In the lab, I specialize in histology techniques such as tissue processing, sectioning, and immunohistochemistry, but I am broadly interested in utilizing the immune system to develop novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. I intend to pursue a PhD in biomedical science.
I’m interested in developing advanced cancer therapies by targeting immune responses, including exploring antibody mechanisms, bi-specific antibodies, and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve treatment efficacy. Additionally, I aim to optimize cancer vaccine strategies, incorporating insights from RNA vaccine research and novel vaccine designs to enhance immune system engagement.
I am interested in understanding how Trop2 post-translational modifications lead to oncogenesis, along with how this affects therapeutic targeting in triple negative breast cancer. I am also researching the immunosuppressive role of progesterone receptor (PR) in hormone receptor positive breast cancer and understanding best targeting therapeutic strategies of PR to decrease and eliminate tumor burden.
