Scholarship: Fully-funded
Degree: Ph.D
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
The Gao Lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center is seeking a motivated postdoctoral fellow to join our team. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on immune engineering projects in cytokine therapy and contribute to transformative cancer research.
Dr. Jinming Gao’s group focuses on nanotechnology and cancer, developing innovative platforms to target cancer hallmarks and enhance patient care.
In cancer diagnosis, the Gao Group designed proton transistor nanoparticles that digitize tumor acidic signals from dysregulated cancer cell metabolism (Warburg effect). Pegsitacianine, a nanosensor, received Breakthrough Therapy Designation for cytoreductive surgery of peritoneal metastasis.
In cancer therapy, the Gao Group discovered synthetic polymers for non-canonical activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, offering improved tumor selectivity and antitumor immunity over small molecule agonists. A nanoparticle STING agonist entered first-in-human trials in 2023. The newly funded cytokine project integrates protein and nanoengineering to advance cytokine immunotherapy with strong translational potential.
Dr. Gao is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, and he received the Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Cancer Institute. UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas is a premier institution leading basic and translational research in the U.S.
Available Subjects:
- Design novel cytokines for nanoparticle encapsulation through protein engineering.
- Evaluate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cytokine therapies.
- Investigate the pharmacological and immunological mechanisms of cytokine therapies.
Eligibility criteria:
- A doctoral degree (or nearing completion) in protein engineering, cytokines (IL-2 or IL-12), immunology, or pharmacology. Strong research skills and a passion for advancing therapeutic innovation are required.
Application Procedure:
To apply, send your CV to Dr. Jinming Gao at [email protected] or Dr. Qiang Feng at [email protected].