Cancer Immunology

My research interests are primarily in adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) for solid tumors. While ACT has demonstrated impressive results in hematologic malignancies, success has been limited in solid tumors. I am investigating ways to improve ACT through novel methods of generating genetically-modified cells and through modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.

Research Interests: Research in the Zamora Lab focuses on cancer immunology, with an emphasis on developing strategies to modulate the immune system for more precise and effective elimination of cancer cells. We employ cellular engineering techniques to enhance immune cell specificity while minimizing off-target toxicities. Our work integrates advanced single-cell technologies to profile the phenotypic, functional, and receptor repertoires of neoantigen-specific T cells.

Research Interests: My research aims to understand the interaction between host factors, tissue resident immune cells, and metastasis formation in solid tumors of the GI tract. Specifically, our current work focuses on how obesity may alter liver resident immune cells and augment the metastatic niche in pancreatic cancer. We utilize multiple models and tissues to answer these questions, including cell lines, mouse models, and surgical specimens from patients undergoing surgery.

Research Interests: Research Interests: Our research group is dedicated to the engineering of immune cells using biocompatible nanomaterials. One of our primary objectives is to amplify the efficacy of current cancer immunotherapies by enabling real-time, non-invasive, and continuous tracking of these engineered immune cells in vivo. Within the framework of cell-based immunotherapy, we strive to provide comprehensive insights into the location and functionality of immune cells in clinically relevant settings.

Research Interests: Cancer immune microenvironment and immunotherapy.

Research Interests: We are interested in understanding how tumor cells adapt to therapy. We largely study drug tolerant persistence, which is thought to describe a state of transient insensitivity which provides a repository of surviving tumor cells which may develop resistance and drive progression. These cells are thought to co-opt the tumor microenvironment to survive, and one area of interest is investigating how drug tolerant persistent cells evade immunosurveillance.

Research Interests: The Tan Lab engineers synthetic cells and vesicles for broad biomedical applications, including antibacterial therapy, anticancer treatment, and regenerative medicine. We integrate synthetic genes, proteins, and materials to create new kinds of synthetic cells and vesicles with superior functions to their natural counterparts.

Research Interests: Comparative oncology, canine cancer immunology, metastasis, sarcoma, melanoma.

Research Interests: The Tan Lab engineers synthetic cells and vesicles for broad biomedical applications, including antibacterial therapy, anticancer treatment, and regenerative medicine. We integrate synthetic genes, proteins, and materials to create new kinds of synthetic cells and vesicles with superior functions to their natural counterparts.

Research Interests: Dr. Toedebusch is a veterinary neurologist and comparative neuro-oncologist dedicated to improving the lives of humans and dogs with brain tumors. She combines her clinical expertise and scientific training to 1) advance understanding of the translational relevance of spontaneously occurring high-grade glioma as a model for human disease and 2) Uncover the molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression in high-grade glioma. Dr. Toedebusch collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and physicians to develop and test innovative therapies through clinical trials in canine patients. Her ultimate goal is to discover new treatments for brain tumors that benefit both dogs and humans—advancing care and quality of life across species.