Sophie Paczesny | Immunotherapy | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Sophie Paczesny | Immunotherapy | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Sophie Paczesny, Medical Univeristy of South Carolina, United States

Dr. Sophie Paczesny, M.D., Ph.D., is an internationally recognized leader in immunology and cancer research. Currently, she serves as Professor of Immunology & Pediatrics and the Sally Abney Rose Endowed Chair in Cancer Stem Cell Biology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She is also Co-Leader of the Cancer Biology & Immunology Program at the Hollings Cancer Center. With a deep commitment to improving outcomes in hematopoietic cell transplantation, her translational research bridges clinical and laboratory advances in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), biomarkers, and tumor immunology. Her work has shaped diagnostic and therapeutic strategies across pediatric and adult oncology. Dr. Paczesny’s pioneering studies on dendritic cell vaccines and immune reconstitution have led to impactful, high-citation publications in journals like Blood, JCI Insight, and Journal of Clinical Oncology. She continues to mentor the next generation of physician-scientists while advancing cutting-edge immune-oncology research globally.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Pioneering Work in Immunology & Transplantation
    Dr. Paczesny has significantly advanced our understanding of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) through the development of novel biomarkers, improving diagnostics, patient stratification, and therapeutic decisions in hematopoietic cell transplantation.

  2. High-Impact Publications
    With over 20 influential publications, including in Blood, JCI Insight, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and British Journal of Haematology, she has made consistent contributions to high-impact journals, underscoring the translational value of her work.

  3. Strong Interdisciplinary Background
    Her dual degrees (M.D., Ph.D.), combined with training across mathematics, life sciences, tumor immunology, and cell therapy, enable her to bridge basic science and clinical application effectively.

  4. Leadership and Mentorship
    Holding senior positions such as Professor, Endowed Chair, and Program Co-Leader at MUSC, she demonstrates strong leadership and commitment to fostering academic growth in immunology and pediatrics.

  5. Global and Collaborative Impact
    Her participation in international collaborations and consortia (e.g., Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Consortium) highlights her global influence and scientific diplomacy.

  6. Innovative Clinical Translation
    She led or contributed to the development of decision-support tools (e.g., biomarker-based decision trees for VOD/SOS), which have the potential to shift real-world clinical practices.

⚙️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Outreach & Visibility
    Despite her extensive contributions, Dr. Paczesny may benefit from more frequent keynote talks, scientific media presence, or public engagement efforts to raise broader awareness of her work among policymakers, patients, and industry.

  2. Startup/Commercial Translation
    While highly research-driven, expanding into biotech or diagnostic tool commercialization could further translate her biomarker discoveries into scalable clinical solutions.

  3. Grant Leadership Details
    The provided information doesn’t detail the scope of grants led (e.g., NIH R01s, consortia P01s). Adding these details could strengthen evaluations by funding and award committees.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Paczesny began her academic journey in France, earning a B.S. in Mathematics and Life Sciences from the Academy of Nancy-Metz (1985–1989). She pursued her M.D. at the University of Strasbourg, completing her medical degree in 1995. Her passion for cellular therapies led her to obtain an M.S. in Cell Therapy and Biology of Hematopoietic Cells from the University of Paris VII in 1999. She continued her scientific training by earning a Ph.D. in Tumor Immunology at the same institution in 2004. Her educational background reflects a unique blend of clinical training and basic science, providing the foundation for her translational research in immunology and cancer biology. This multidisciplinary training has enabled her to tackle complex clinical problems like graft-versus-host disease and immune response modulation from both therapeutic and mechanistic angles.

🩺 Professional Experience:

Dr. Sophie Paczesny has held academic and clinical positions in both Europe and the United States. She began her faculty career as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University and Hospitals of Nancy (2003–2005). She transitioned to the U.S. as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases at the University of Michigan (2009–2012). From 2012–2015, she served as Associate Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, holding appointments in Pediatrics, Microbiology, and Immunology. She also contributed to the Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. Currently, she is a Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where she leads research and training efforts in immunology and cancer biology. Across all roles, she has led NIH-funded programs, advanced biomarker research, mentored junior investigators, and contributed to the development of immunotherapeutic approaches in hematopoietic cell transplantation and cancer.

🏅 Honors and Awards:

Dr. Paczesny has received numerous honors recognizing her contributions to science and medicine. In 1999, she earned Second Prize at the Avicenne Hospital Research Meeting in Paris. In 2000, she was awarded the Médaille d’Argent (Silver Medal) from Paris University Hospitals’ residency program. That same year, she co-received First Prize for Best Fellow Academic Work in France, acknowledging her early excellence in clinical and research training. Her ongoing research has been consistently supported by competitive grants and featured in high-impact journals, highlighting her leadership in biomarker discovery and immune-oncology. As an endowed chair at MUSC and an invited speaker at leading international conferences, her work continues to gain recognition. These awards underscore both her clinical insight and scientific innovation, particularly in the fields of transplant immunology and cancer immunotherapy.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Paczesny’s research is centered on translational immunology, with a special focus on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), immune reconstitution, and cancer immunotherapy. She has pioneered the use of biomarkers to predict outcomes and complications in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, including veno-occlusive disease and chronic GVHD. Her studies have uncovered novel immune pathways and prognostic indicators, many of which have informed clinical trials and therapeutic strategies. Additionally, she explores dendritic cell vaccines, immunopeptidomics, and HLA allele influences on transplant success. Her collaborative projects span pediatric and adult immunology, contributing to national consortia such as the Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Consortium. Her ultimate goal is to enhance survival while reducing toxicities of transplantation through immune-guided, precision medicine approaches. She is especially known for integrating advanced statistical modeling and immunobiology to address real-world clinical challenges.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

  1. 🧫 Protection of mice against leukemia after vaccination with dendritic cells – Cancer Research (2001)

  2. 💉 Monoclonal anti-IL-6 antibody treatment in B-lymphoproliferative disorder – Blood (2001)

  3. 🧬 CD34+ dendritic cell vaccine induces T-cell immunity in melanoma – J Immunother (2003)

  4. 🦠 Dendritic cells as immune controllers and therapeutic tools – Ann NY Acad Sci (2003)

  5. 🎯 Dendritic cells as vectors for cancer immunotherapy – Semin Cancer Biol (2003)

  6. 🧪 Melanoma vaccines using dendritic cells – Dev Biol Basel (2004)

  7. 🧫 CD8+ T-cell expansion in melanoma patients post-vaccination – J Exp Med (2004)

  8. 🧾 Tumor inhibition assay for CTL response post-vaccine – J Immunother (2005)

  9. 🔁 Peptide-pulsed dendritic cells boost melanoma-specific CD8+ T cells – J Immunother (2005)

  10. 📈 Advances in dendritic cell-based immunotherapy – Adv Exp Med Biol (2005)

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Sophie Paczesny embodies the ideal recipient of the Best Researcher Award. She has made transformative contributions to immunology, stem cell biology, and cancer therapeutics, particularly in the field of biomarker-driven precision medicine. Her leadership in both academia and collaborative clinical research has shaped safer and more effective treatment strategies for transplant patients worldwide.

Her depth of expertise, sustained research output, and ongoing innovations place her at the forefront of translational immunology. While minor gains could be made in public visibility and translational enterprise, her impact on science and patient care is profound.

Yimin Zhu | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Yimin Zhu | Immunology Cellular Interactions | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Yimin Zhu , Suzhou Institute of Nanotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , China

Prof. Yimin Zhu is a distinguished researcher in bioengineering, specializing in cancer therapies, biomaterials, and peptide screening platforms. With a background in both clinical medicine and biotechnology, she bridges the gap between medical applications and cutting-edge biotechnological innovations. Prof. Zhu completed her master’s in Clinical Medicine from Tianjin Medical University in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the National University of Singapore in 2005. She has made significant contributions to cancer immunotherapy, drug delivery systems, and biomarker identification. Prof. Zhu’s work has led to over 30 first-author/co-corresponding publications in leading scientific journals, and she holds more than 20 patents. She currently holds a professorship at Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, CAS, where her research continues to advance cancer treatments through novel molecular mechanisms and drug delivery platforms.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Interdisciplinary Expertise: Prof. Yimin Zhu has a unique blend of clinical medicine and advanced biotechnology expertise, making her well-suited to bridge the gap between medical practice and cutting-edge cancer research. Her background in both the clinical and research fields allows her to tackle cancer therapies from multiple angles.
  2. Impactful Research: Prof. Zhu’s research focuses on critical areas in cancer therapy, such as peptide-based immunotherapy, tumor mechanisms, drug delivery systems, and biomarker discovery. She has published over 30 high-impact papers in leading journals, showcasing her leadership in the field.
  3. Innovative Contributions: She has made substantial contributions to developing peptide-based bispecific CAR T cells and innovative drug delivery systems, with several patents granted. These innovations hold great promise for advancing cancer therapy and improving patient outcomes.
  4. Support and Funding: Prof. Zhu has successfully secured substantial research funding, including multiple grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, supporting her groundbreaking research in cancer immunotherapy and biomaterial development.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader Outreach: Although Prof. Zhu has made impressive advancements in cancer research, expanding her work’s visibility to a broader audience in the medical and biotechnology communities, as well as among the general public, could increase the impact of her innovations.
  2. Collaboration and Mentorship: Further expanding interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly with social scientists or clinicians in oncology, could strengthen the practical application of her research and increase its translation into clinical practice. Additionally, mentoring young women in STEM could increase her contribution to fostering diversity in the field.
  3. Public Engagement: Enhancing communication efforts to present her research in a more accessible format for non-experts could be a significant avenue for impact, particularly in terms of attracting additional funding and public interest in her cancer-focused work.

Education:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s educational journey reflects her interdisciplinary approach to bioengineering and medical science. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Medicine from Tianjin Medical University in 1996, where she initially focused on medical practice, gaining hands-on experience as a resident and consultant in Neurology. Her passion for scientific research led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the National University of Singapore, completed in 2005. This transition to biochemistry allowed her to explore molecular biology, cancer research, and biotechnology. Prof. Zhu’s postdoctoral work at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in Chemical Engineering, further honed her expertise in nanotechnology, bioengineering, and therapeutic innovations. This broad educational foundation, combining clinical experience with cutting-edge research, has uniquely positioned her as a leader in cancer bioengineering and drug delivery systems.

Experience:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s diverse experience spans both clinical medicine and high-impact research. Between 1996 and 2000, she worked as a resident and consultant doctor in Neurology, which provided a strong foundation in patient care and medical science. Transitioning to research, she served as a research fellow at the National University of Singapore from 2003 to 2005, focusing on biochemistry and cancer-related molecular mechanisms. Prof. Zhu further developed her expertise during her postdoctoral training in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she explored the intersection of chemical engineering, nanotechnology, and therapeutic interventions. Since joining the Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics in 2008, she has been a professor, where she leads innovative research in peptide-based cancer therapies, immunotherapy, and drug delivery systems. Her extensive academic background and practical experience have earned her numerous patents and substantial research funding.

Research Focus:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s research primarily focuses on bioengineering for cancer treatment, peptide screening platforms, and targeted drug delivery systems. Her work involves identifying molecular mechanisms behind tumor cell behavior and developing innovative methods for cancer diagnosis and therapy. She is dedicated to advancing cancer immunotherapy, particularly through the development of peptide-based bispecific CAR T cells targeting key proteins like EGFR and tumor stroma. Prof. Zhu’s research aims to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments while minimizing side effects. Her studies also explore the development of smart delivery systems, such as extracellular vesicle-based nanodrugs, to improve the precision and effectiveness of drug delivery to tumor sites. Additionally, her work delves into the identification of cancer biomarkers, offering new ways to predict tumor metastasis and optimize treatment regimens. By combining molecular biology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, Prof. Zhu’s research holds great promise for advancing personalized cancer care.

Publications Top Notes:

  • The peptide-based bispecific CAR T cells target EGFR and tumor stroma for effective cancer therapy 🧬
  • Develop a PD-1-blockade peptide to reinvigorate T-cell activity and inhibit tumor progress 💉
  • Natural killer cells contribute to ‘hot’ tumor regression in the allergic inflammatory environment 🦠
  • Identification of cancer protein biomarker based on cell specific peptide and its potential role in predicting tumor metastasis 🔬
  • Extracellular Vesicle‐Based Nanodrug Delivery 💊
  • Inhibition of Autophagy Promotes the Elimination of Liver Cancer Stem Cells by CD133 Aptamer-Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin 🧫
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen Der p 22: Cloning, expression, IgE-binding in asthmatic children, and immunogenicity 🌿
  • Reforming the Chimeric Antigen Receptor by Peptide Towards Optimized CAR T Cells With Enhanced Anti-Cancer Potency and Safety 🦠
  • Smart delivery of poly-peptide composite for effective cancer therapy 💡
  • The inhibition of ABCB1/MDR1 or ABCG2/BCRP enables doxorubicin to eliminate liver cancer stem cells ⚙️

Conclusion:

Prof. Yimin Zhu’s research excellence, particularly in cancer therapy, peptide-based immunotherapy, and novel drug delivery systems, positions her as a highly deserving candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her interdisciplinary approach, groundbreaking innovations, and leadership in publishing high-impact scientific papers make her a trailblazer in the field of bioengineering. By addressing the areas for improvement, particularly in outreach and mentorship, Prof. Zhu could amplify her contributions even further, inspiring the next generation of women scientists and advancing the fight against cancer.