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Program Meeting
Online via Zoom ResearchDevelopment@cancer.ufl.edu
Mission
The scientific mission of the Immuno-Oncology and Microbiome (IOM) research program at the University of Florida Health Cancer Center is to improve cancer outcomes through innovative therapeutic research on microbiome-immunotherapy interactions influencing epithelial and immune cell function, engaging clinicians and basic scientists to partner on innovative investigator-initiated trials (IITs).

The program develops and translates immunotherapy modalities, such as RNA-based vaccines, adoptive cellular therapies, genetically modified T cells and microbiome-based therapy, into first-in-human studies. The Comparative Oncology Initiative has allowed IOM investigators to validate new technologies in pet dog trials while a cadre of clinical trialists move these and other UF findings into human application.
Through the I2T3, structured processes have been developed for translation of basic concepts into human studies. IOM thus advances preclinical through clinical evaluation of novel patient-specific therapies to address priority cancers of the catchment area, engaging the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement and members of the Community Advisory Board in the review and design of clinical trials.
Aims
The aims of the IOM program are to elucidate principles of cancer immunobiology relevant to developing or improving immuno-oncology therapeutics; define the microbiome contribution to cancer development, therapeutics and immunoactivity; and translate scientific discoveries into early-phase clinical trials.
Program Co-leaders
Learn more about Christian Jobin, Ph.D., and Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D.
Program Members
To request an update, please email ResearchDevelopment@cancer.ufl.edu.
Daniel Araujo, MD,MBA
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Drug Design
- Genital-Urinary
- Immunoregulation & Suppression
- Immunotherapy
- Kidney
- Nutrition
- Nutrition, Dietary Supplements & Cancer
- Skin/Melanoma
- Targeted Cancer Therapy
Steven Bruner, PHD
Professor
Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Cell Signaling Pathways
- Drug Design
Matthew J Cascio, DO
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Biostatistics
- Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcomas
- Immunotherapy
Paul Castillo Caro, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Hematologic Malignancies
- Immunotherapy
- Leukemia
Jonathan Alexander Chatzkel, BA,MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Chemotherapy
- Genital-Urinary
- Immunotherapy
- Kidney
- Metastasis
- Prostate Cancer
- Quality of Life Issues
Roy Curtiss, PHD
Professor
Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Anti-Tumor Vaccines
Bently Doonan, MS,MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Immunotherapy
- Metastasis
- Skin/Melanoma
- Targeted Cancer Therapy
Mariola J Edelmann, MS,PHD
Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Immunoregulation & Suppression
Lynn El Haddad, BS,MS,PHD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Bioinformatics
- Cancer Survivorship
- Drug Resistance
- Epidemiology
- Gastro-Intestinal
- Hematologic Malignancies
- Immunotherapy
- Quality of Life Issues
Leighton Andrew Elliott, BS,MS,MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcomas
- Cancer Prevention
- Cancer Survivorship
- Drug Design
- Health Disparities
- Imaging
- Immunotherapy
- Nanotechnology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Targeted Cancer Therapy