May 22, 2026
What is your position?
Postdoc in Anthony Cillo's and Tullia Bruno's labs.
What inspired you to pursue immunology research?
I have always been fascinated by the immune system. Towards the end of my graduate research—which focused on transcription factor dynamics and the biochemistry of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)— I started investigating how these transcription factors shape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). This shift reignited my passion for immunology and inspired me to continue studying the essential role of the immune system in HNSCC and other cancers.
What does your research focus on?
Although immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has improved outcomes in HNSCC, most patients fail to gain durable clinical benefit. To test the hypothesis that therapeutic response to ICB is dictated by the composition, spatial distribution, and transcriptional programs of immune cells, stromal cells, and tumors cells in the TIME, we integrated a single-cell atlas with spatial transcriptomics to resolve transcriptional states and tissue organization. We identified distinct cellular neighborhoods, which we are now characterizing to elucidate how cell–cell interactions shape the TIME and influence therapeutic response. Ultimately, this work will deepen understanding of HNSCC biology and may reveal novel therapeutic targets and improved strategies for patient stratification and personalized treatment.
What are your career aspirations?
I aspire to become an independent researcher, combining my expertise in molecular biology, immunology, and bioinformatics to study interactions in the TIME and how they can be harnessed to improve patient outcomes.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself
I think I am a pretty good baker. Last year, I won the immunology holiday party bakeoff with the Cillo Lab and my family’s Christmas cookie competition (We take it very seriously: There are crowns and trophies and trash talk involved)!