WSU-KCI-HFHS Immunology Focus Group

2024 Lectures
APR 2 Lunch: Before the lecture Lecture: 12:00 - 1:00 pm In-person meeting: Hudson Weber Auditorium, 4100 John R., Detroit, MI 48201 Zoom meeting: Meeting ID: 999 8028 4185 Password: 502387 Human Papillomavirus-Driven Immune Evasion in Head and Neck Cancer Dohun Pyeon, Ph.D. Professor Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology Michigan State University Host: Jennifer Jacob, PhD, Wayne State University Profile Dr. Pyeon’s research focuses on virus-host interactions in HPV-driven cancer progression with a focus on host immunity. In particular, Dr. Pyeon investigates the mechanism used by HPV to dysregulate chemokines and membrane-associated ubiquitin ligases, enabling it to evade host immune responses and promote HPV-positive head and neck cancers.
MAR 5 Lunch: Before the lecture Lecture: 12:00 - 1:00 pm In-person meeting: Hudson Weber Auditorium, 4100 John R., Detroit, MI 48201 Exploring Vulnerabilities in Tumor-Immune Crosstalk Leading to Clinical Translation Opportunities Alex Huang, M.D., Ph.D. Director, Center for Pediatric Immunotherapy Director, Medical Scientist Training program Co-Leader, Immune Oncology Program Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Case Western Reserve University Host: Jennifer Jacob, PhD and Wei-Zen Wei, PhD Wayne State University Profile Dr. Huang’s presentation will focus on recent identification of tumor-intrinsic innate sensing pathway in host immune response following local tumor-lytic therapies, and the exploration of orally available small molecule inhibitor targeting TGF-beta Type 1 Receptor Kinase in models of pediatric and adolescent & young adult (AYA) sarcoma. Additional considerations affecting immune cell recruitment and function in solid tumor TME will also be discussed.
FEB 6 Lecture: 12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch with trainees: 1:00 - 2:00 pm In-person meeting: Hudson Weber Auditorium, 4100 John R., Detroit, MI 48201 Chemokine Modulation as An Anti-PD-1 Sensitizing Strategy Kathleen M. Kokolus, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Host: Jennifer Jacob, PhD Wayne State University Profile Dr. Kokolus studies immunotherapy, with a focus on strategies to enhance response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced cancers. In particular, she is interested in the interplay between stress and the anti-tumor immune response and manipulating the tumor microenvironment to promote susceptibility to immune-based therapies. In addition, Dr. Kokolus works to encourage the next generation of cancer researchers by training junior researchers and teaching graduate students.