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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.
Tracy Stepien, BS,MA,PHD
Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Collective Cell Motion, Immunotherapy, Neuro-Oncology, Targeted Cancer Therapy
Valentina Beatriz Stevenson Salinas, BS,DVM,PHD
Assistant Professor
Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Cell Signaling Pathways, Immunoregulation & Suppression, Immunotherapy, Metastasis, Micro RNA's
Marilia Takada, MS,PHD
Assistant Professor
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Radiation Oncology
Ryan M Thomas, BS,BS,MD
Associate Professor
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Cancer Genetics, Cell Signaling Pathways, Drug Resistance, Surgical Oncology
Paulo Vilar Saavedra, MS,PHD
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Apoptosis & Cell Death Pathways, Cancer Genetics, Cell Signaling Pathways, Chemotherapy, Drug Design, Drug Resistance, Epidemiology, Genetic Determinants of Cancer, Immunotherapy, Lymphoma
Christina Von Roemeling, PHD
Assistant Professor
Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Gene Therapy, Immunoregulation & Suppression, Immunotherapy, Lymphoma, Metastasis, Neuro-Oncology, Skin/Melanoma, Targeted Cancer Therapy
Tung T Wynn, BS,MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Cancer Survivorship, Health Disparities, Integrative Medicine, Nutrition, Dietary Supplements & Cancer, Pediatric Oncology, Thyroid
Weizhou Zhang, BS,MS,PHD
Professor
Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Angiogenesis, Breast, Immunoregulation & Suppression, Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy
Liang Zhou, PHD
Professor
Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Epigenetics, Gastro-Intestinal, Immunoregulation & Suppression
Ellen Zimmermann, MD
Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: IOM
Research Interests:
- Epigenetics, Gastro-Intestinal, Imaging, Immunoregulation & Suppression
