Jason Schenkel
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Translational Molecular Pathology and Immunology
The Schenkel lab will investigate how time and location fundamentally alter CD8+ T cell differentiation and function in cancer. A better understanding of the pathways that are engaged in CD8+ T cells due to tissue-derived cues and timing post-entry into tumors will be critical for developing the next generation of immunotherapies, and will reveal insights into the drivers of anti-tumor CD8+ T cell immunity. These questions will be interrogated in sophisticated genetically engineered mouse models of cancer. Current projects span three different areas. Project 1 will focus on determining the lineage relationship and function of CD8+ T cells in the draining lymph node. The goal of this project is to define the lineage relationships, location, and functionality of DLN CD8+ T cell populations, and to identify therapeutic modalities to harness these T cell subsets. Project 2 focuses on identifying recruited CD8+ T cells in tumors and the pathways engaged to drive T cell dysfunction during tumor progression. The goal of this project is to define CD8+ T cell longevity in tumors and identify the pathways that are engaged in the hours, days and weeks after arrival.Project 3 focuses on dissecting the role of metastasis in modulating the CD8+ T cell response. The goal of this project is to understand how metastasis alters the anti-tumor CD8+ T cell response. Collectively, our studies will provide critical resolution and insights into the CD8 T cell response in cancer. Students rotating through the lab will gain expertise in cellular immunology and mouse models of cancer, can expect a highly supportive lab environment and PI.
Education & Training
PhD - University of Minnesota - 2014
MD - University of Minnesota - 2016