Ep. 62: “T Cells in Solid Tumors” Featuring Dr. Kristin Anderson
Sep 12, 2023
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Dr. Kristin Anderson, Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, discusses engineering T cells to overcome immune suppression in tumors. Topics include strategies for targeting ovarian cancer, translational challenges in immunotherapy, and tips for postdocs transitioning to faculty positions.
Dr. Kristin Anderson's research focuses on developing engineered T cell therapies to overcome immunosuppressive obstacles in tumors, including addressing obstacles in solid tumor nodules in ovarian cancer.
The challenge in cellular-based therapies for breast and ovarian cancer lies in the established microenvironment in solid tumors, with a unique nature in ovarian tumors as they form nodules throughout the peritoneal cavity, but Dr. Anderson's lab aims to engineer T cells to overcome suppressive signals in ovarian tumors.
Dr. Anderson's transition from a postdoc to a faculty position during the pandemic highlighted the importance of being prepared for job interviews, researching the people and institutions, and utilizing minimalistic slides in presentations, resulting in successful interviews due to the demand for immunologists with cancer immunotherapy expertise.
Deep dives
Overview of Dr. Kristen Anderson's Research
Dr. Kristen Anderson's research focuses on developing engineered T cell therapies to overcome immunosuppressive obstacles in tumors. She uses mouse models that mimic physiologically relevant components of tumors and works in synjani models. Her lab builds tools to address obstacles in solid tumors, particularly in ovarian cancer. They also develop human models, such as the slice culture model, to test therapies before translating them to clinical trials. Dr. Anderson's personal experience with breast cancer has shaped her passion for immunotherapy research.
Challenges in Cellular Based Therapies for Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Dr. Anderson explains that the main challenge in cellular-based therapies for breast and ovarian cancer is the established microenvironment in solid tumors. However, ovarian tumors have a unique nature as they form nodules throughout the peritoneal cavity and often develop a site of fluid. Dr. Anderson's lab focuses on addressing obstacles in solid tumor nodules, while recognizing that a site of fluid can be managed separately. They aim to engineer T cells to overcome suppressive signals in ovarian tumors.
Transition from Postdoc to Faculty and Job Hunt Experience
Dr. Anderson shares her experience transitioning from a postdoc to a faculty position. She applied for faculty positions during the pandemic, which affected the interview and hiring process. She emphasizes the importance of being prepared for job interviews and researching the people and institutions she was talking to. Dr. Anderson also highlights the importance of clarity and minimalistic slides in her chalk talk presentations. She applied to multiple positions and had success in obtaining interviews due to the demand for immunologists with expertise in cancer immunotherapy.
Lab Composition and Funding
Dr. Anderson discusses the composition of her lab, which includes a lab manager and bioinformatics experts. She emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals who complement her skill set. Dr. Anderson received a K22 grant for her lab's funding, which provided support for her salary and research activities. She also mentions that she applied for grants as a postdoc, which demonstrated her ability to secure funding.
Dr. Anderson's Alternative Career Choice
If Dr. Anderson were not a scientist, she would be a scuba dive instructor. She has a passion for scuba diving and loves being underwater, experiencing the ocean life. Dr. Anderson finds being underwater to be as if she is in another world.
Dr. Kristin Anderson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, where her lab focuses on engineering T cells to overcome immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. She talks about how her cancer diagnosis changed her career focus, strategies for targeting ovarian cancer, and her transition from postdoc to professor.
CRISPR Screens for Cancer – Scientists combined genome-wide CRISPR screens in target cancer cells to identify pathways that regulate γδ T cell killing and BTN3A cell surface expression.
Tissue-Resident T Cell Metabolism – Researchers explored the metabolic adaptations supporting differentiation, survival, and function of tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells.
-XF medium.
