My laboratory research, supported by NIH RO1 and DoD awards, focuses on tumor immunology, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy for cancers. We have developed clinically-relevant solid tumor models (in-vivo and ex-vivo) and investigated regional delivery of biological therapies including oncolytic viruses and immune cells in these models. This research has yielded mechanistic data that has been translated to clinical trials. I oversee ongoing clinical research efforts on combination immunotherapy to reactivate both CAR T-cell and endogenous immunity by use of cell-intrinsic and extrinsic checkpoint blockade strategies. The clinical trials design is directed by our laboratory discovery of tumor immune factors that can be modulated to enhance survival; strategies to incorporate chemo- and radiation therapy to augment immunotherapy are in translation. Working with biotech industry, we are poised to initiate new CAR T-cell trials.
I am the Deputy Chief and Attending thoracic surgeon at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York with expertise in the surgical management of cancers in the chest, and direct the research activities. As Vice Chair in the Dept. of Surgery, I develop translational research programs, and coordinate the research activities. In my role as Head of Solid Tumor Cell Therapy in the Cellular Therapeutics Center, I lead the development and conduct of cell therapy for solid tumors. My responsibilities as the Director of Mesothelioma Program comprises coordinating multi-disciplinary clinical and research interactions among the mesothelioma working group.