Abstract:
This is a training program from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) to train postdoctoral
fellows in basic, translational or clinical research focusing on tumor immunotherapy, tumor immunology or stem
cell transplantation immunology. The UNC Immunotherapy Training Grant (IM-TAG) is led by an exceptional
mentor, Jonathan Serody MD, who is assisted by two superb Associate Directors in Barbara Savoldo MD PhD
and Benjamin Vincent MD. This training proposal is supported by a nationally renowned mentorship group and
exceptional facilities for translation of tumor and transplantation immunology to the clinic. Additionally, there are
world-class investigators that make up the Internal Advisory Committee and External Advisory Board. The focus
of IM-TAG is significantly underrepresented in training programs leading to a paucity of investigators working in
these areas.
IM-TAG supports the training of two postdoctoral fellows yearly. There are 11 Professors, and eight Associate
Professors, with outstanding qualifications who serve as mentors. We have identified two exceptional Assistant
Professors, who serve as co-mentors. These investigators’ interests include 1) vaccine design and vector
generation, 2) adoptive cellular therapy, 3) the role of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), 4)
immunogenomic assessment of TME, 5) enhancing our understanding of the biology of the graft-versus-tumor
response and 6) approaches to manage acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. There are innovative
mechanisms for training that include 1) didactic coursework in statistical design, 2) immunogenomic coursework
and data evaluation overseen by world experts in tumor immunogenomics, and 3) participation in Immunotherapy
Working Groups, which are translational teams that assist in the development of novel immunotherapies,
allowing trainees to be involved in the development of INDs and clinical trials. We have a comprehensive
approach to training underrepresented minorities, including a summer course for undergraduate students to
provide them with hands-on experience in immunotherapy or transplantation immunology.
Strengths of the program include 1) an extremely well-funded group of mentors with substantial experience
training postdoctoral fellows, 2) an outstanding leadership group with a long history of leading collaborative
research proposals, 3) and the presence of a world-class vaccine and transplantation infrastructure that trainees
can access. This program combines the mentors, foundation, and resources of a nationally recognized tumor
immunology, cancer immunotherapy and transplantation immunology program with novel approaches to
enhance the vertical training of underrepresented individuals and enhance the bench to bedside development of
therapeutics by individuals who are trained in this program.