AICF's 2023-24 Fellows:
Project Abstracts
Andrea Cosentino, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Epitope Engineered Hematopoiesis to Enable CAR-T Cell Immunotherapy for Multiple Myeloma
Dr. Cosentino is a hematologist who believes that clinical work and basic science are not two parallel and disconnected universes. In fact, early on in his career, he realized that being a clinician can have a major impact in the biomedical research field. Therefore, after completing his hematology residency, he joined the Genovese Lab at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, working on a project exploiting cutting-edge gene editing techniques in order to overcome the limitations of current adoptive immunotherapies in the Multiple Myeloma setting.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Epitope Engineered Hematopoiesis to Enable CAR-T Cell Immunotherapy for Multiple Myeloma
Dr. Cosentino is a hematologist who believes that clinical work and basic science are not two parallel and disconnected universes. In fact, early on in his career, he realized that being a clinician can have a major impact in the biomedical research field. Therefore, after completing his hematology residency, he joined the Genovese Lab at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, working on a project exploiting cutting-edge gene editing techniques in order to overcome the limitations of current adoptive immunotherapies in the Multiple Myeloma setting.
Pietro De Placido, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Understanding clinical implications of dynamic evaluation of circulating tumor DNA in early stage breast cancer
Pietro De Placido is a medical oncologist and PhD student at the Federico II University Hospital in Naples, Italy. His focus is on breast cancer research. During his PhD he studied the effects of drug-induced selective pressure on metastatic breast cancer biomarkers, particularly on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). As a research fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, he will deepen his knowledge of the application of ctDNA in clinical practice under the mentorship of Dr. Heather Parsons. He aims to unveil the potential of the dynamic evaluation of ctDNA and minimal residual disease to guide therapeutic choices in early-stage triple negative breast cancer.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Understanding clinical implications of dynamic evaluation of circulating tumor DNA in early stage breast cancer
Pietro De Placido is a medical oncologist and PhD student at the Federico II University Hospital in Naples, Italy. His focus is on breast cancer research. During his PhD he studied the effects of drug-induced selective pressure on metastatic breast cancer biomarkers, particularly on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). As a research fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, he will deepen his knowledge of the application of ctDNA in clinical practice under the mentorship of Dr. Heather Parsons. He aims to unveil the potential of the dynamic evaluation of ctDNA and minimal residual disease to guide therapeutic choices in early-stage triple negative breast cancer.
Pantaleo De Simone, MD
Columbia University, Institute for Cancer Genetics
Project Title — Role of BTG2 super-enhancer hypermutation in B-cell lymphomagenesis
Pantaleo De Simone is a Hematology Resident at the University of Milan where he has gained experience in the clinical management of onco-hematological patients. During his clinical activities, he became more interested in the comprehension of the mechanisms of lymphomagenesis. In this regard, he recently joined Dr. Dalla-Favera’s lab at Columbia University where his research project will focus on the molecular genetics of B cell lymphomas, in particular exploring functional non-coding mutations in DLBCL, an area of research that has not yet been entirely characterized. The goal is to identify new mutations of interest and potential novel targets for therapeutic approaches.
Columbia University, Institute for Cancer Genetics
Project Title — Role of BTG2 super-enhancer hypermutation in B-cell lymphomagenesis
Pantaleo De Simone is a Hematology Resident at the University of Milan where he has gained experience in the clinical management of onco-hematological patients. During his clinical activities, he became more interested in the comprehension of the mechanisms of lymphomagenesis. In this regard, he recently joined Dr. Dalla-Favera’s lab at Columbia University where his research project will focus on the molecular genetics of B cell lymphomas, in particular exploring functional non-coding mutations in DLBCL, an area of research that has not yet been entirely characterized. The goal is to identify new mutations of interest and potential novel targets for therapeutic approaches.
Giuseppe Nicolò Fanelli, MD PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Untangle the role of tumor microenvironment in prostate cancer initiation, progression,
and metastatization with single-cell analysis technologies
After completing his degree at the University of Pisa, Dr. Fanelli pursued a surgical pathology residency at the University of Padua, followed by a PhD in "Oncology and Molecular Medicine" at the University of Pisa. In recent years, guided by Prof. Massimo Loda, he utilized innovative approaches like digital pathology, imaging analysis, and molecular pathology to investigate the cellular composition and gene expression profiles of prostate cancer (PCa) tumor microenvironment, and its role in PCa cancerogenesis. With AICF's support, his project seeks to identify reliable stromal biomarkers able to differentiate aggressive from indolent disease, offering insights for PCa patients’ management.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Untangle the role of tumor microenvironment in prostate cancer initiation, progression,
and metastatization with single-cell analysis technologies
After completing his degree at the University of Pisa, Dr. Fanelli pursued a surgical pathology residency at the University of Padua, followed by a PhD in "Oncology and Molecular Medicine" at the University of Pisa. In recent years, guided by Prof. Massimo Loda, he utilized innovative approaches like digital pathology, imaging analysis, and molecular pathology to investigate the cellular composition and gene expression profiles of prostate cancer (PCa) tumor microenvironment, and its role in PCa cancerogenesis. With AICF's support, his project seeks to identify reliable stromal biomarkers able to differentiate aggressive from indolent disease, offering insights for PCa patients’ management.
Alessandra Ferri, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Investigating the role of KEAP1 in modulating anti-tumor immunity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Dr. Ferri obtained her PhD in Cellular & Molecular Biology at the University of Rome, Tor Vergata in 2022, where she studied the aberrant activation of the DNA damage response in cancer. She then moved to New York to join the laboratory of Dr. Antonio Marzio at Weill Cornell Medicine to work on proteolytic degradation and anti-tumor immunity. Thanks to AICFs' support, Dr. Ferri will exploit innovative multiomic approaches and in vivo studies to dissect the biological significance of the tumor suppressor and E3 ubiquitin ligase KEAP1 in non-small-cell lung cancer and how it impacts response to immunotherapy.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Investigating the role of KEAP1 in modulating anti-tumor immunity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Dr. Ferri obtained her PhD in Cellular & Molecular Biology at the University of Rome, Tor Vergata in 2022, where she studied the aberrant activation of the DNA damage response in cancer. She then moved to New York to join the laboratory of Dr. Antonio Marzio at Weill Cornell Medicine to work on proteolytic degradation and anti-tumor immunity. Thanks to AICFs' support, Dr. Ferri will exploit innovative multiomic approaches and in vivo studies to dissect the biological significance of the tumor suppressor and E3 ubiquitin ligase KEAP1 in non-small-cell lung cancer and how it impacts response to immunotherapy.
Claudia Galassi, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Breaking resistance of breast cancer to radiotherapy-CDK4/6 inhibitors combination by targeting cancer stem cells
Dr. Galassi obtained her PhD in Oncological Sciences in 2021 from the Catholic University of Rome. In August 2021, she joined the laboratory of Dr. Lorenzo Galluzzi at WCMC to study breast cancer stem cells, an immature population of cells linked with poor disease outcome, in a mouse model of hormone receptor positive breast cancer recapitulating key features of the human disease. During her first year of her AICF postdoctoral fellowship, she studied how breast cancer stem cells evade the immune system. During her second year, she will develop strategies based on radiation therapy plus CDK4/6 inhibitors targeting breast cancer stem cells to prolong survival of women with metastatic breast cancer.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Breaking resistance of breast cancer to radiotherapy-CDK4/6 inhibitors combination by targeting cancer stem cells
Dr. Galassi obtained her PhD in Oncological Sciences in 2021 from the Catholic University of Rome. In August 2021, she joined the laboratory of Dr. Lorenzo Galluzzi at WCMC to study breast cancer stem cells, an immature population of cells linked with poor disease outcome, in a mouse model of hormone receptor positive breast cancer recapitulating key features of the human disease. During her first year of her AICF postdoctoral fellowship, she studied how breast cancer stem cells evade the immune system. During her second year, she will develop strategies based on radiation therapy plus CDK4/6 inhibitors targeting breast cancer stem cells to prolong survival of women with metastatic breast cancer.
Giovanni Gambi, PhD
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Project Title — Dynamic 3D Chromatin Remodeling in Acute Leukemia
After obtaining his PhD at Universitè de Strasbourg, Dr. Gambi joined the lab of Professor Iannis Aifantis in the Department of Pathology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Supported by his AICF Fellowship, in the lab he is focusing on investigating molecular mechanisms that regulate T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia development and chemoresistance emergence. His work aims to better understand patients’ phenotypic heterogeneity, which populations are prone to relapses, and define the underlying gene networks. The ultimate goal of his project is to provide novel therapeutic opportunities.
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Project Title — Dynamic 3D Chromatin Remodeling in Acute Leukemia
After obtaining his PhD at Universitè de Strasbourg, Dr. Gambi joined the lab of Professor Iannis Aifantis in the Department of Pathology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Supported by his AICF Fellowship, in the lab he is focusing on investigating molecular mechanisms that regulate T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia development and chemoresistance emergence. His work aims to better understand patients’ phenotypic heterogeneity, which populations are prone to relapses, and define the underlying gene networks. The ultimate goal of his project is to provide novel therapeutic opportunities.
Edoardo Gelardi, PhD
Columbia University Medical Center
Project Title — The Cryo-EM structure of APO-WLS, a promising target for cancer therapy
Dr. Gelardi obtained his PhD from University of Piemonte Orientale under the supervision of Prof. Menico Rizzi and Prof. Silvia Garavaglia. He then moved to the European Institute of Oncology to work in the group of Dr. Marina Mapelli, supported by a fellowship from the Associazione Italiana Ricerca Cancro. With the help of the AICF Fellowship, in the group of Prof. Filippo Mancia at Columbia University, Edoardo will focus on the biochemical and structural dissection of the structure of APO-WNTless, to provide a framework for the design of molecules that modulate WNTs association, and thus signaling of hyperproliferative cells, setting the stage for the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
Columbia University Medical Center
Project Title — The Cryo-EM structure of APO-WLS, a promising target for cancer therapy
Dr. Gelardi obtained his PhD from University of Piemonte Orientale under the supervision of Prof. Menico Rizzi and Prof. Silvia Garavaglia. He then moved to the European Institute of Oncology to work in the group of Dr. Marina Mapelli, supported by a fellowship from the Associazione Italiana Ricerca Cancro. With the help of the AICF Fellowship, in the group of Prof. Filippo Mancia at Columbia University, Edoardo will focus on the biochemical and structural dissection of the structure of APO-WNTless, to provide a framework for the design of molecules that modulate WNTs association, and thus signaling of hyperproliferative cells, setting the stage for the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
Ilaria Gritti, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Project Title — Proteogenomic approach to identifying vulnerabilities of Fibrolamellar Carcinoma
Dr. Gritti obtained her PhD in Immunology and Oncology at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, where she investigated mechanisms that sustain Multiple Myeloma. She then moved to Boston where she joined the lab of Dr. Nabeel Bardeesy at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. Her Post-doc project aims to identify vulnerabilities in Fibrolamellar Carcinoma (FLC), a rare and poorly understood liver cancer in young adults. Her goal is to define the oncogenic circuitry underlying FLC and the potential therapeutic targets, which are still unknown. This project has implications for the increasing number of cancers with genomic alterations in the PKA pathway.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Project Title — Proteogenomic approach to identifying vulnerabilities of Fibrolamellar Carcinoma
Dr. Gritti obtained her PhD in Immunology and Oncology at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, where she investigated mechanisms that sustain Multiple Myeloma. She then moved to Boston where she joined the lab of Dr. Nabeel Bardeesy at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. Her Post-doc project aims to identify vulnerabilities in Fibrolamellar Carcinoma (FLC), a rare and poorly understood liver cancer in young adults. Her goal is to define the oncogenic circuitry underlying FLC and the potential therapeutic targets, which are still unknown. This project has implications for the increasing number of cancers with genomic alterations in the PKA pathway.
Emanuela Marchese, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Project Title — Dissecting immunity in tissues with oncogenic germline mutations: an innovative approach for cancer prevention and therapy
I obtained my PhD in Clinical, Medical and Experimental Science in 2021 at University of Campania. During my research training, I became increasingly fascinated by the role that immune system activation can play in the early phases of cancer development. With the support of the AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, in Dr. Demehri laboratory, I am currently studying the nature of the early immune response in “normal” tissues with germline oncogenic mutations and its impact on early carcinogenesis. The results of this project could have clear immunopreventive implications by directly blocking the cancer promotion in patients at high risk of cancer development and recurrence.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Project Title — Dissecting immunity in tissues with oncogenic germline mutations: an innovative approach for cancer prevention and therapy
I obtained my PhD in Clinical, Medical and Experimental Science in 2021 at University of Campania. During my research training, I became increasingly fascinated by the role that immune system activation can play in the early phases of cancer development. With the support of the AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, in Dr. Demehri laboratory, I am currently studying the nature of the early immune response in “normal” tissues with germline oncogenic mutations and its impact on early carcinogenesis. The results of this project could have clear immunopreventive implications by directly blocking the cancer promotion in patients at high risk of cancer development and recurrence.
Alessandro Medda, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Oncogenicity of MiT/TFE Fusions in Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma
Alessandro received his B.S. in Industrial Biotechnology from the University of Cagliari and an M.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Pavia. Afterwards, he obtained his Ph.D. in Molecular Oncology, working in Susanna Chiocca’s Lab at IEO in Milan. During his PhD, he focused on the role of autophagy in HPV-mediated head and neck cancers. Thanks to AICF’s support, he is now working in Srinivas Viswanathan’s Lab at DFCI. His project aims at defining crucial functional domains within specific drivers of carcinogenesis in renal cancer. For this purpose, he will take advantage of the cutting-edge base editor screening technology available to him at DFCI.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Oncogenicity of MiT/TFE Fusions in Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma
Alessandro received his B.S. in Industrial Biotechnology from the University of Cagliari and an M.S. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Pavia. Afterwards, he obtained his Ph.D. in Molecular Oncology, working in Susanna Chiocca’s Lab at IEO in Milan. During his PhD, he focused on the role of autophagy in HPV-mediated head and neck cancers. Thanks to AICF’s support, he is now working in Srinivas Viswanathan’s Lab at DFCI. His project aims at defining crucial functional domains within specific drivers of carcinogenesis in renal cancer. For this purpose, he will take advantage of the cutting-edge base editor screening technology available to him at DFCI.
Giovanni Medico, MD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Generation of fully humanized murine avatars studying the resistance and relapse of B-ALL patients in a bedside approach
Dr. Giovanni Medico received his M.D. from the University of Torino. During medical school, he attended the research lab of IRCCS Candiolo Institute, developing his interest in immuno-oncology. As a research fellow at Cornell University, Dr. Medico's primary focus will be the development of fully humanized autologous PDX mouse models for the study of aggressive hematological malignancies. This research aims to establish a valuable platform for exploring novel immuno-oncologic agents and investigating relapse/refractoriness microenvironmental mechanisms in a human immune-competent mouse model, with the ultimate objective of uncovering new therapeutic targets.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Generation of fully humanized murine avatars studying the resistance and relapse of B-ALL patients in a bedside approach
Dr. Giovanni Medico received his M.D. from the University of Torino. During medical school, he attended the research lab of IRCCS Candiolo Institute, developing his interest in immuno-oncology. As a research fellow at Cornell University, Dr. Medico's primary focus will be the development of fully humanized autologous PDX mouse models for the study of aggressive hematological malignancies. This research aims to establish a valuable platform for exploring novel immuno-oncologic agents and investigating relapse/refractoriness microenvironmental mechanisms in a human immune-competent mouse model, with the ultimate objective of uncovering new therapeutic targets.
Stefano Misino, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Project Title — Towards a mechanistic understanding of the involvement of MMR loss in the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) development
Dr. Misino obtained his PhD at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz, Germany, where he unraveled the parallel between senescence and the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Supported by AICF, Dr. Misino is addressing the role of mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in ALT in cancer at the University of Pennsylvania. Specifically, he is monitoring the emergence of ALT in cells deprived of the MMR genes as they undergo immortalization while characterizing the mechanistic details of telomere elongation. Dr. Misino hopes his work will provide a better understanding of ALT-positive tumors, paving the way to better treatment.
University of Pennsylvania
Project Title — Towards a mechanistic understanding of the involvement of MMR loss in the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) development
Dr. Misino obtained his PhD at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz, Germany, where he unraveled the parallel between senescence and the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Supported by AICF, Dr. Misino is addressing the role of mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in ALT in cancer at the University of Pennsylvania. Specifically, he is monitoring the emergence of ALT in cells deprived of the MMR genes as they undergo immortalization while characterizing the mechanistic details of telomere elongation. Dr. Misino hopes his work will provide a better understanding of ALT-positive tumors, paving the way to better treatment.
Ivano Mocavini, PhD
UMass Chan Medical School
Project Title -- A system for genetic dissection of genomic imprinting
Dr. Mocavini obtained his PhD in Biomedicine in 2022 from the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, working under the supervision of Prof. Luciano Di Croce at the Center for Genomic Regulation. He then moved to UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA, to investigate the molecular mechanisms of parental effects in the lab of Prof. Oliver J. Rando. Thanks to the AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, he is aiming to unveil the factors involved in establishing and maintaining genomic imprinting, the loss of which represents a leading cause of tumorigenesis.
UMass Chan Medical School
Project Title -- A system for genetic dissection of genomic imprinting
Dr. Mocavini obtained his PhD in Biomedicine in 2022 from the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, working under the supervision of Prof. Luciano Di Croce at the Center for Genomic Regulation. He then moved to UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA, to investigate the molecular mechanisms of parental effects in the lab of Prof. Oliver J. Rando. Thanks to the AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, he is aiming to unveil the factors involved in establishing and maintaining genomic imprinting, the loss of which represents a leading cause of tumorigenesis.
Eleonora Nicolò, MD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title -- Reappraising the role of HER2 expression in circulating tumor cells: biological insights and clinical perspectives in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Dr. Nicolò is a Medical Oncology Fellow from the University of Milan. While working at the European Institute of Oncology she focused her clinical and research activity on breast cancer. With the support of the AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Dr. Nicolò joined the laboratory of Dr. Cristofanilli at Weill Cornell Medical to study the applications of liquid biopsy in breast cancer patients. Specifically, her research project aims at investigating the role of HER2 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. This research could lead to better capturing the heterogeneity and evolution of breast cancer, enabling a more precise definition of patient prognosis and treatment decisions.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title -- Reappraising the role of HER2 expression in circulating tumor cells: biological insights and clinical perspectives in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Dr. Nicolò is a Medical Oncology Fellow from the University of Milan. While working at the European Institute of Oncology she focused her clinical and research activity on breast cancer. With the support of the AICF Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Dr. Nicolò joined the laboratory of Dr. Cristofanilli at Weill Cornell Medical to study the applications of liquid biopsy in breast cancer patients. Specifically, her research project aims at investigating the role of HER2 expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. This research could lead to better capturing the heterogeneity and evolution of breast cancer, enabling a more precise definition of patient prognosis and treatment decisions.
Filippo Pederzoli, MD PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Loss of stromal androgen receptor (AR) signaling contributes to progression in prostate cancer
Dr. Pederzoli, MD, PhD earned his degree in Medicine and Surgery and his PhD in Molecular Medicine from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan, Italy), where he focused his research on the diseases of the male genitourinary system in the laboratories of the Urological Research Institute (URI), IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele. After that, in 2022 he moved to New York, where he joined the laboratory of Prof. Massimo Loda at Weill Cornell Medicine. His research focuses on the role of the tumor microenvironment - in particular, the stromal androgen receptor signaling - on the pathobiology of prostate cancer.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Project Title — Loss of stromal androgen receptor (AR) signaling contributes to progression in prostate cancer
Dr. Pederzoli, MD, PhD earned his degree in Medicine and Surgery and his PhD in Molecular Medicine from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan, Italy), where he focused his research on the diseases of the male genitourinary system in the laboratories of the Urological Research Institute (URI), IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele. After that, in 2022 he moved to New York, where he joined the laboratory of Prof. Massimo Loda at Weill Cornell Medicine. His research focuses on the role of the tumor microenvironment - in particular, the stromal androgen receptor signaling - on the pathobiology of prostate cancer.
Giada Pontecorvi, PhD
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Project Title -- SHIFTING THE PARADIGM OF PANCREATIC CANCER PROGRESSION: Unveiling the Role of Pancreatic Enzymes
Dr. Pontecorvi obtained her PhD in Morphogenesis and Tissue Engineering in 2021 at the University of Rome, Sapienza. Then she moved to the UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) in Dallas to join the Ligorio Lab, where she has the possibility to combine the latest multi-“omics” technologies with the most advanced molecular biology techniques in mouse modelling. She is working on clarifying the etiology of the extraordinary amount of stroma present during the development of Pancreatic Cancer and to understand its immunosuppressive microenvironment with the final goal of developing novel immune-therapeutic strategies for this deadly malignancy.
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Project Title -- SHIFTING THE PARADIGM OF PANCREATIC CANCER PROGRESSION: Unveiling the Role of Pancreatic Enzymes
Dr. Pontecorvi obtained her PhD in Morphogenesis and Tissue Engineering in 2021 at the University of Rome, Sapienza. Then she moved to the UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) in Dallas to join the Ligorio Lab, where she has the possibility to combine the latest multi-“omics” technologies with the most advanced molecular biology techniques in mouse modelling. She is working on clarifying the etiology of the extraordinary amount of stroma present during the development of Pancreatic Cancer and to understand its immunosuppressive microenvironment with the final goal of developing novel immune-therapeutic strategies for this deadly malignancy.
Gianluca Scarno, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project Title — Unraveling molecular pathways driving the development of innate-like NKG2C+ CD8 T cells to tackle mortality and relapse in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Throughout his career, Dr. Scarno has always shown a great enthusiasm towards cancer immunology. After defending his thesis for his international PhD program Innovation in Immuno-mediated and Hematological Disorders at Sapienza University of Rome, he joined the Laboratory of Dr. Katharine C Hsu at MSKCC in New York. Here, with the support of AICF, Dr. Scarno will conduct his research aimed at identifying the mechanisms leading to the acquisition of innate programs in T cells upon loss of Bcl11b, as well as at validating the antitumor properties of innate-like T cells in distinct mouse models of AML and solid tumors.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project Title — Unraveling molecular pathways driving the development of innate-like NKG2C+ CD8 T cells to tackle mortality and relapse in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Throughout his career, Dr. Scarno has always shown a great enthusiasm towards cancer immunology. After defending his thesis for his international PhD program Innovation in Immuno-mediated and Hematological Disorders at Sapienza University of Rome, he joined the Laboratory of Dr. Katharine C Hsu at MSKCC in New York. Here, with the support of AICF, Dr. Scarno will conduct his research aimed at identifying the mechanisms leading to the acquisition of innate programs in T cells upon loss of Bcl11b, as well as at validating the antitumor properties of innate-like T cells in distinct mouse models of AML and solid tumors.
Viviana Scoca, PhD
Columbia University Medical Center
Project Title — Probing the interdependence of chromatin and nucleolar dysfunction in leukemogenesis
Dr. Scoca obtained her PhD in infectious diseases at Institut Pasteur in Paris, studying the interplay of HIV with host nuclear factors. Her interest in nuclear organization and epigenetic gene regulation led her to join the laboratory of Dr. Aaron Viny at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City for her postdoctoral training. Combining her expertise in fluorescence imaging with novel chromatin technologies, she will investigate leukemia-specific vulnerabilities in cohesin mutant myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia. Her goal is to contribute to the discovery of new nuclear therapeutic targets to treat leukemia patients.
Columbia University Medical Center
Project Title — Probing the interdependence of chromatin and nucleolar dysfunction in leukemogenesis
Dr. Scoca obtained her PhD in infectious diseases at Institut Pasteur in Paris, studying the interplay of HIV with host nuclear factors. Her interest in nuclear organization and epigenetic gene regulation led her to join the laboratory of Dr. Aaron Viny at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City for her postdoctoral training. Combining her expertise in fluorescence imaging with novel chromatin technologies, she will investigate leukemia-specific vulnerabilities in cohesin mutant myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia. Her goal is to contribute to the discovery of new nuclear therapeutic targets to treat leukemia patients.
Giuseppe Tarantino, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Liquid biopsy derived tumor features to predict melanoma progression and ICB response
Dr. Tarantino obtained his PhD in Oncology at the University of Bologna, where he worked on the prediction of the potential of the immune checkpoint blockade treatment on gastrointestinal stromal tumors. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and in the first year of his AICF fellowship, he leveraged multi-modal data to identify biomarkers of intrinsic resistance to ICB in melanoma patients. Advancing into his second year of the AICF fellowship, he will employ liquid biopsy and biologically-informed machine learning to delve deeper into the tumor-intrinsic and microenvironmental programs fostering tumor heterogeneity, enhancing our understanding of melanoma biology and propelling the development of more effective treatments.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project Title — Liquid biopsy derived tumor features to predict melanoma progression and ICB response
Dr. Tarantino obtained his PhD in Oncology at the University of Bologna, where he worked on the prediction of the potential of the immune checkpoint blockade treatment on gastrointestinal stromal tumors. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and in the first year of his AICF fellowship, he leveraged multi-modal data to identify biomarkers of intrinsic resistance to ICB in melanoma patients. Advancing into his second year of the AICF fellowship, he will employ liquid biopsy and biologically-informed machine learning to delve deeper into the tumor-intrinsic and microenvironmental programs fostering tumor heterogeneity, enhancing our understanding of melanoma biology and propelling the development of more effective treatments.
