Sandra Bullman
Associate Professor
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at Houston
Department of Immunology, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
Our research program investigates the complex interactions between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the microbiome, with a particular focus on understanding how the intratumoral microbiota influences cancer progression, immune modulation, and therapy response. Using innovative spatial profiling, single-cell sequencing, and microbial genomics approaches, we aim to uncover the functional roles of microbes within tumors and their impact on cancer heterogeneity and immune evasion. Key areas of interest include the dynamics of bacterial "microniches" in human tumors, the molecular pathways shaped by microbial interactions with tumor and immune cells, and the translational potential of targeting the microbiome for cancer therapies.
Students conducting research in our lab will have the opportunity to contribute to, and drive forward, cutting-edge projects such as developing and applying new technologies to map tumor-microbe interactions at the spatial single-cell level, analyzing microbiome-mediated resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and studying how microbial colonization influences tumor evolution and metastasis. Our research program provides training in spatial transcriptomics, microbiome sequencing, advanced imaging, and computational biology, equipping students with a diverse skill set that bridges cancer biology, immunology, and microbial ecology.
Our lab provides a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, offering students the chance to engage in impactful research that integrates basic discovery with translational goals. We welcome students who are curious about tumor biology, cancer immunology, and the microbiome’s role in shaping disease outcomes.
Education & Training
PhD - Munster Technological University - 2013