Allison Institute Scientific Symposium

James Allison, Ph.D.
Dr. James (Jim) Allison is the founding director of the James P. Allison Institute, Regental Professor and chair of Immunology and the executive director of the Immunotherapy Platform at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He earned the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with Dr. Tasuku Honjo "for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation." Among his most notable discoveries are the determination of the T cell receptor structure and that CD28 is the major costimulatory molecule that allows full activation of naïve T cells and prevents anergy in T cell clones. His lab resolved a major controversy by demonstrating that CTLA-4 inhibits T cell activation by opposing CD28-mediated costimulation and that blockade of CTLA-4 could enhance T cell responses leading to tumor rejection in animal models. Dr. Allison's groundbreaking work has revolutionized cancer treatment and saved thousands of lives.

Carolyn Bertozzi, Ph.D.
Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi is a distinguished chemist and the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University. She is also the Baker Family Director of Sarafan ChEM-H and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Bertozzi's research focuses on cell surface glycosylation and its implications for diseases such as cancer, inflammation and bacterial infection. She pioneered the field of bioorthogonal chemistry, enabling chemical reactions inside living organisms without disrupting native biochemical processes. Her recent work includes developing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in immuno-oncology and creating innovative nanotechnologies for probing biological systems. Dr. Bertozzi's contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.

Susan Bullman, Ph.D.
Dr. Susan Bullman is an associate member of the Allison Institute and an associate professor of Immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She leads a research group studying the role of the intratumoral microbiome in cancer progression and patient response to treatments. Dr. Bullman completed her graduate research in Ireland and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Broad Institute. Her research focuses on the interactions between intratumoral microbiota, cancer cells and the immune system, with a particular emphasis on how the tumor microbiome influences immune infiltration and cancer progression.

Tina Cascone, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Tina Cascone is a physician-scientist and associate professor of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. With an M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Turin, her research focuses on mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in lung cancer, identifying predictive biomarkers and developing novel therapeutic strategies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). She leads several significant clinical trials, including NEOSTAR, NeoCOAST, NeoCOAST-2 and CheckMate-77T, which have shown promising results in improving outcomes for patients with resectable NSCLC. Among many awards, Dr. Cascone has received the ASCO Young Investigator Award.

Xi Chen, Ph.D.
Dr. Xi Chen is an associate professor of Experimental Therapeutics at MD Anderson Cancer Center and an associate member of the James P. Allison Institute. He is renowned for his research in cancer biology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Dr. Chen's work involves innovative studies on endoplasmic reticulum stress and its role in maintaining hematopoietic stem cell identity and interactions within the tumor microenvironment. His research aims to develop new therapeutic strategies by targeting specific cellular pathways involved in cancer cell survival and resistance.

Mark Dawson, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Mark Dawson is a professor at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and a leader in the field of epigenetics and cancer biology. He is a member of the Allison Institute Scientific Advisory Board. His research focuses on understanding how epigenetic changes drive cancer development and finding new therapeutic targets. Dr. Dawson’s work involves studying the mechanisms of chromatin regulation and its impact on gene expression in cancer cells. He has identified key epigenetic regulators and pathways that contribute to cancer progression and resistance to therapy, paving the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Among many awards, Dr. Dawson has received the NHMRC Research Excellence Award.

Philip D. Greenberg, M.D.
Dr. Philip D. Greenberg is head of the Program in Immunology at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and a professor of Medicine and Immunology at the University of Washington. He has pioneered T cell therapy techniques that have significantly advanced cancer treatment, including demonstrating that CD4 T cells can eradicate tumors and that genetically engineered T cells can prevent leukemia relapse. Dr. Greenberg's contributions have earned him numerous prestigious awards, and he holds leadership positions, including president of the AACR and editor-in-chief of Cancer Immunology Research.

Elizabeth M. Jaffee, M.D.
Dr. Elizabeth M. Jaffee is an internationally recognized expert in cancer immunology and pancreatic cancer. She serves as the deputy director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, co-director of the Skip Viragh Pancreatic Cancer Center and associate director of the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Dr. Jaffee's research focuses on developing immune-based therapies for pancreatic and breast cancers, including novel vaccine approaches to overcome immune tolerance. She has led significant clinical trials and holds multiple patents for cancer vaccines. Dr. Jaffee has also served as the chair of the President's Cancer Panel and has been a key figure in numerous national cancer initiatives, including the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel. Her contributions to the field have earned her election to the National Academy of Medicine and numerous other honors.

Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Scott Kopetz is a leading expert in gastrointestinal medical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is a professor and associate vice president of Translational Integration. He co-leads the Colorectal Cancer Moon Shot initiative, focusing on accelerating the development of novel therapies. His research delves into the molecular and genetic aspects of colorectal cancer, with significant contributions to targeted therapies, particularly for KRAS mutations. Dr. Kopetz has pioneered clinical trials, including those investigating the combination of KRAS inhibitors and anti-EGFR antibodies, showing promising results. Among many awards, Dr. Kopetz has received the American Association for Cancer Research Team Science Award.

Matthew Krummel, Ph.D.
Dr. Matthew (Max) Krummel is a professor of Pathology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and a pioneer in the field of immunology and cancer biology. His research focuses on understanding the dynamic interactions between the immune system and tumors, particularly using advanced imaging techniques to visualize immune cell behavior in real time. Dr. Krummel made significant contributions to Dr. Jim Allison's Nobel Prize-winning research on CTLA-4, revealing how blocking this immune checkpoint can unleash the immune system to fight cancer. He is also the co-founder and inaugural chair of UCSF's ImmunoX Initiative, which integrates the science of nearly 80 labs to advance the study of the immune system.

Dana Pe'er, Ph.D.
Dr. Dana Pe'er is a computational biologist and chair of the Computational and Systems Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute. She also serves as the scientific director of the Alan and Sandra Gerry Metastasis and Tumor Ecosystems Center. Her research focuses on developing computational methods to study gene regulation at the single-cell level within complex tissues, particularly the tumor microenvironment. Dr. Pe'er earned her Ph.D. in computer science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard University. She has received numerous awards, including the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award and the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, and is actively involved in the Human Cell Atlas project.

Padmanee Sharma, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Padmanee (Pam) Sharma is the director of scientific programs for the Allison Institute, the inaugural scientific director of the Immunotherapy Platform and a professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her pioneering work in immune checkpoint therapy has been instrumental in developing FDA-approved treatments for various cancers, including bladder and renal cell carcinoma. Dr. Sharma's research focuses on understanding tumor rejection and resistance mechanisms, which she uses to design innovative clinical trials. Among many awards, she has received the National Science Award, Innovator of the Year Award and Fellow of the AACR.

Linghua Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Linghua Wang is an associate professor of Genomic Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, an associate member of the Allison Institute and an affiliate member of the Institute for Data Science in Oncology. Dr. Wang leads a computational biology laboratory focusing on deep profiling of the tumor ecosystem, emphasizing cellular and molecular heterogeneity, phenotypic plasticity and interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. Her lab utilizes advanced single-cell and spatial multi-omics technologies alongside innovative bioinformatics tools to study tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Among many awards, Dr. Wang has received the Emil Frei III Award for Excellence in Translational Research, the Sabin Fellow Award and the MD Anderson President's Award for Faculty Research Excellence.

E. John Wherry, Ph.D.
Dr. John Wherry is the Richard and Barbara Schiffrin President’s Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He is also the director of the Penn Institute for Immunology. Dr. Wherry’s research focuses on T cell exhaustion in chronic infections and cancer, defining the molecular mechanisms and roles of checkpoint pathways like PD-1. His work has significantly advanced the development of immunotherapies aimed at reversing T cell exhaustion. He utilizes transcriptomics, high-dimensional cytometry and systems immunology to study immune responses, making substantial contributions to understanding and treating cancer and viral infections.

Giulio Draetta, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Giulio Draetta is the chief scientific officer and senior vice president at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he leads efforts to foster innovation in cancer research and therapy development. He also holds the Sewell Family Distinguished University Chair in Genomic Medicine. Since joining MD Anderson in 2011, Dr. Draetta has held various pivotal roles, including director of the Institute for Applied Cancer Science and co-leader of the Moon Shots Program. His extensive background includes positions at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Merck and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and his research has significantly advanced the understanding of cancer biology and treatment.

Peter WT Pisters, M.D.
Dr. Peter WT Pisters is the president and CEO of MD Anderson Cancer Center, renowned for his leadership and strategic vision in advancing cancer treatment and research. Under his guidance, MD Anderson has strengthened its position as a global leader in cancer care, emphasizing innovative research, patient-centered care and multidisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Pisters, a surgical oncologist by training, has been instrumental in launching significant initiatives that enhance the institution's clinical and research capabilities, focusing on precision medicine and comprehensive cancer prevention. His leadership was key in the founding of the Allison Institute. Among many accolades, Dr. Pisters has been named one of Houston's Most Admired CEOs by the Houston Business Journal and a Top CEO by Glassdoor.

Robert D. Schreiber, Ph.D.
Dr. Robert D. Schreiber is the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and chair of the Allison Institute Scientific Advisory Board. His research focuses on interferon-gamma biology, IFN-gamma receptor signaling and elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying natural and therapeutically induced immune responses to cancers. Dr. Schreiber's groundbreaking work has led to the development of the "Cancer Immunoediting" concept and the creation of several key mouse models and monoclonal antibody reagents used in cancer research.

Jennifer Wargo, M.D.
Dr. Jennifer Wargo is a core member of the Allison Institute, professor of Surgical Oncology and Genomic Medicine and leader of the Platform for Innovative Microbiome and Translational Research (PRIME-TR) at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her translational research focuses on understanding response and resistance to treatment for melanoma, pancreatic cancer and other cancers, as well as the impact of the gut and tumor microbiome on cancer. Dr. Wargo's work has provided the rationale for combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy combinations, and she continues to explore the tumor microbiome's role in cancer therapy.

Sangeeta Goswami, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Sangeeta Goswami is an associate professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Immunology and assistant member of the James P. Allison Institute at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Goswami's research focuses on identifying pathways of response and resistance to immunotherapy in genitourinary cancers, particularly bladder and kidney cancers. Her work combines clinical and laboratory research to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Dr. Goswami has led several early-phase clinical trials aimed at improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to cancer research.

Betty Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Betty Kim is a professor of Neurosurgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research is centered on developing novel nanotechnology-based therapeutics for the treatment of brain tumors. Dr. Kim's work integrates advanced nanomedicine techniques with immunotherapy to enhance the delivery and efficacy of cancer treatments. She has led several pioneering studies in the field, focusing on overcoming the blood-brain barrier to improve drug delivery to brain tumors. Dr. Kim has been recognized with numerous awards, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and the MD Anderson Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Research.

Anirban Maitra, M.D.
Dr. Anirban Maitra is a professor of Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the scientific director of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Center. He is a member of the Allison Institute Internal Advisory Council. Dr. Maitra's research focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms driving pancreatic cancer, with an emphasis on developing early detection methods and targeted therapies. His groundbreaking work has led to the identification of several key genetic mutations and biomarkers associated with pancreatic cancer progression. Among many awards, Dr. Maitra has received the AACR Team Science Award and the ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation Grant.

Alice Park, M.D.
Alice Park is a senior health correspondent at TIME magazine. She has been reporting on health and medicine for TIME since 1993, covering groundbreaking developments in areas such as AIDS, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, cancer and more. Park is the author of "The Stem Cell Hope: How Stem Cell Medicine Can Change Our Lives," and she is known for her in-depth articles on the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health, CRISPR and advances in gene therapy. Her work has earned her two CASE media fellowships, and she is a prominent voice in health journalism.