Bio

I am the Chief & Director of the cellular therapy program where we translate, develop, manufacture and test novel cell therapies for cancer and infection. Trained as an Immunologist, I have an extensive background and interest in cellular therapy. For the past 14 years I have investigated and helped to translate the following into more than 20 clinical trials: *Virus-specific T cells for the prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections after transplant. *Tumor-specific T cells using both endogenous receptors (targeting Glioblastoma Multiforme) as well as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs, targeting CD19-positive malignancies). *A GMP-compliant method of manufacturing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) using the Quantum cell expansion system for patients after stroke, graft-versus-host disease, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I was previously supported by a nationally competitive American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellowship and was awarded the Excellence in Research award by the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy in 2012 and the Young Investigator award by the International Society of Cell Therapy (ISCT) in 2013 and 2017. I have previously served on the trainee council of the American Society of Hematology, was a trainee member of the Production Assistance for Cellular Therapy Steering Committee and also the Education Committee, and was selected for the international American Society of Hematology/EHA Translational Research Training Program. I am currently a certified Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) inspector, chair of the FACT education committee, a member of the accreditation committee, and serve on the Board of Directors. I am on the editorial boards of the journals Molecular Therapy: Methods and Clinical Development, and Cytotherapy, and co-chair ISCT’s Immuno-Gene Therapy Committee. Energetic, pragmatic, motivated, and an expert in cell therapy–particularly in the GMP setting—I am strongly suited to lead the next phase of cell therapy trials.