Immunotherapy

Interested in the role of the tumor microenvironment and its immune components, and how we can leverage the immune system to better control cancer through immunotherapeutics and rational combination strategies. Use a spontaneous model of disease (pet dogs with oral cancer) to guide better treatment strategies in both dogs and humans.

Research Interests: I run clinical trials and an R01 funded basic science lab investigating cancer immunology. I have three overlapping areas of research focus: 1) Mechanisms of resistance to cancer immunotherapy and how to overcome them. 2) Immune modulatory effects of radiotherapy. 3) Influence of obesity and aging on the immune system and how this influences cancer development, progression, and treatment response.

Research Interests: The Judge Laboratory at UC Davis investigates the immunobiology of metastasis from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other aggressive malignancies of the GI tract and develops next-generation cellular immunotherapies for these advanced solid malignancies. Our overarching goal is to define and overcome the biologic barriers that limit the efficacy of cellular immunotherapies in solid tumors, with a particular emphasis on PDAC liver metastases.