Dr. James Allison is a Regental Professor and Chair of the Department of Immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He holds the Olga Keith Wiess Distinguished University Chair for Cancer Research and directs the Parker Institute for Cancer Research, the Immunotherapy Platform, and the James P. Allison Institute.

Allison is renowned for his pioneering work in cancer immunotherapy, particularly his research into T cell regulation. His groundbreaking discoveries include elucidating the structure of the T cell receptor, identifying CD28 as a crucial costimulatory molecule for T cell activation, and revealing that CTLA-4 inhibits T cell activation by counteracting CD28-mediated stimulation.

His lab’s work resolved a significant controversy by showing that CTLA-4 blocks T cell activation, leading to the development of ipilimumab, the first FDA-approved immune checkpoint blockade therapy. This advancement marked a major breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Dr. Allison, a member of the National Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel, identified the T cell antigen receptor and demonstrated that blocking the CTLA-4 receptor on T cells enhances the immune system's tumor-fighting capabilities.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2018, shared with Dr. Tasuku Honjo, for their work on cancer therapy through immune regulation, Allison has also received the Lasker-Debakey Clinical Medical Research Award in 2015 and is a member of the National Academies of Sciences and Medicine. His ongoing research focuses on enhancing existing immune checkpoint therapies and discovering new targets to boost the immune system’s ability to combat cancer.

Dr. Sharma is a distinguished physician-scientist and a leading expert in immune checkpoint therapy. In 2006, she pioneered the first neoadjuvant (pre-surgical) clinical trial using immune checkpoint therapy, which set the stage for subsequent FDA approvals for treating cancers like bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Her groundbreaking research has elucidated key biological pathways involved in anti-tumor responses, such as ICOS+ effector T cells and tertiary lymphoid structures.

Dr. Sharma's innovative studies have also identified mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint therapy, including disruptions in the IFN-pathway, VISTA, and epigenetic factors like EZH2. She has explored organ-specific immune responses related to resistance in bone metastases and has used her detailed laboratory findings to design combination clinical trials aimed at overcoming these resistance mechanisms.

Currently, Dr. Sharma leads a "reverse translation" approach, generating hypotheses about tumor rejection mechanisms from human immune responses, which she tests in pre-clinical models before applying new insights to novel clinical trials. She serves as the Director of Scientific Programs for the James P. Allison Institute at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the inaugural Scientific Director of the Immunotherapy Platform, and a Professor in the Departments of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Immunology. Additionally, she holds the T.C. and Jeanette Hsu Endowed Chair in Cell Biology and is Co-Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Dr. Sharma is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) and has received several prestigious awards, including the Emil Frei III Award for Excellence in Translational Research (2016), the Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology (2018), and the Women in Science with Excellence (WISE) Award (2020).

Medicine Primary Appointment Assistant Professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Sangeeta Goswami, M.D., Ph.D., has always been a “people person.” Her deep love for her patients and colleagues has driven her work in both the clinic and the lab. Born and raised in Assam, a northeastern state in India, Goswami chose to attend medical school in her home region with a strong desire to serve people. As a medical student, she found treating patients to be incredibly fulfilling but soon realized that treatment options for many diseases were limited.

After earning a doctorate in immunology and completing an internal medicine residency, Goswami joined MD Anderson for a clinical fellowship. Drawn to the institution’s extensive resources and capabilities, she saw an opportunity to help more patients and advance her research. Now an assistant professor with her own lab at MD Anderson, Goswami is committed to finding better cancer treatments. Despite the tremendous progress in cancer research, she remains driven by a desire to improve outcomes for each of her patients and reduce side effects.

Since arriving at MD Anderson, Goswami has initiated two investigator-initiated clinical trials based on her research during her fellowship. Her dedication to advancing cancer treatment is paralleled by her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists and physicians.

Outside of her research and patient care, Goswami dedicates time to mentoring others, particularly women in science and medicine. Inspired by her first mentor—her mother—and by outstanding women mentors like Dr. Padmanee Sharma, Goswami is passionate about supporting and encouraging women in her field. “We need more women in science and medicine, and we really need more mentoring and encouragement,” she asserts. “Becoming a physician-scientist takes many years of training, and you have to prove yourself again and again.”

For Goswami, mentoring others is closely linked to her work with patients. “You want to inspire the next generation because you can’t do it alone,” she reflects. “Oncology takes a village.

Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Dr. Kim is a physician-scientist specializing in the study of solid tumors, with a particular emphasis on malignant primary and metastatic brain tumors. Her multidisciplinary approach is reflected in her publications in high-impact journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, and Nature Reviews Immunology.

Her laboratory explores the molecular interactions between tumor and stromal cells within the tumor immune microenvironment. Dr. Kim’s research focuses on developing patented therapeutic strategies to inhibit tumor growth and enhance immune recognition of glioma cells to improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes.

Additionally, Dr. Kim’s group is dedicated to identifying predictive and prognostic biomarkers to advance personalized medicine for brain tumor patients.

Dr. Sarbajit Mukherjee is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with a specialized focus on novel clinical trials and cancer immunotherapy. With experience in translational research and clinical trial design gained through a Master's program in clinical and translational science, he is dedicated to understanding the biology of gastrointestinal cancers and creating innovative clinical trials aimed at improving patient outcomes. His research interests include investigating mechanisms of immune dysfunction in obese cancer patients and exploring the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors.

Dr. Sarbajit studies are investigator-initiated and receive grant funding from prominent national organizations such as the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Department of Defense (DOD). He actively contributes to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) as a member of the Trainee Council Working Group, the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee, and the Professional Development Committee. Additionally, he has served on multiple guidelines panels for ASCO and is currently a guidelines panel member for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus.

Dr. Sarbajit has been recognized with numerous national and international awards, and he also reviews manuscripts for reputable journals and grant applications for federal funding agencies.

Dr. Hinco Gierman received his PhD in oncology and genomics from the University of Amsterdam and later pursued postdoctoral research at Stanford University, focusing on the genetics of age-related diseases, including cancer. Over the past decade in the industry, Dr. Gierman has worked at the intersection of oncology and precision medicine. He served as Team Lead for scientific enterprise software at Illumina and as VP of Product Development at Integra Connect, where he focused on analyzing real-world data of cancer patients. Currently, he is the VP of Precision Oncology at Elephas, a company developing a platform that utilizes live tumor biopsies to assess a patient’s response to immunotherapy. Dr. Gierman’s contributions to both academia and industry have resulted in 28 scientific publications, over 8,000 citations, and a patent.

Henrik Jutesten, is a distinguished colorectal surgeon with a career marked by academic excellence, advanced training, and a commitment to surgical innovation. A graduate of Lund University, Sweden, in 2000, he completed his General Surgery Residency at CSK Kristianstad in 2009. Between 2017 and 2019, he mastered robotic surgery through comprehensive training on the Da Vinci System, achieving advanced-level expertise and first-assistant certification. His surgical journey led him to specialize in managing complex colorectal conditions, ultimately earning the role of Consultant in Colorectal Surgery at Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.

In 2021, Dr. Jutesten completed his PhD at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University. His groundbreaking dissertation, "Long-Term Outcomes of Anastomotic Leakage Following Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer," shed light on the profound effects of anastomotic leakage on patient prognosis, recovery, and overall quality of life, advancing the understanding of postoperative outcomes in rectal cancer treatment.

Beyond his clinical and research endeavors, Dr. Jutesten is an accomplished educator. From 2004 to 2008, he served as Director of Basic Training in Kristianstad-Hässleholm. Since 2018, he has been a Principal Teacher in Surgery at Lund University, mentoring both local and international medical students. He has also instructed registrars in Basic Surgical Technique and Minimally Invasive Surgery from 2013 to 2019, fostering the next generation of surgical professionals.

Dr. Jutesten’s latest research, published in 2024, investigates the “Minor Impact of Anastomotic Leakage in Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer on Long-Term Male Urinary and Sexual Function.” This study offers crucial insights into improving the quality of life for male patients after surgery. Over the years, he has enriched surgical science with numerous publications, driving progress and enhancing patient care.