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Saskia Hemmers

Assistant Professor in Integrative Immunobiology
Integrative Immunobiology
207 Research Drive, Box 3010, Durham, NC 27710
207 Research Drive, Room 112, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Since joining the Integrative Immunobiology department, the lab has set out to gain a deeper understanding of how tissue cues affect immune and glial cell behavior. The lab is particularly focused on how tissue damage and inflammation shape T cell and glial cell function in the context of neuroinflammation. An additional line of research probes how the cellular ontogeny of T cells contributes to the layered immune system in adulthood.
Lab homepage

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor in Integrative Immunobiology · 2022 - Present Integrative Immunobiology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2022 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


Upregulation of TNFR2 Precedes TOX Expression by Exhausted T cells and Restricts Antitumor and Antiviral Immunity.

Journal Article Clin Cancer Res · November 21, 2025 PURPOSE: Exhaustion represents a collection of programmed T cell differentiation states and an important mode of T cell dysfunction. T cell progression from progenitor to terminal exhaustion is associated with upregulation of the transcription factor TOX. ... Full text Link to item Cite

Novel Roles for IL-1R Family Members in Neuroinflammation

Conference JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY · 2025 Cite

Precursor central memory versus effector cell fate and naïve CD4+ T cell heterogeneity.

Journal Article J Exp Med · October 7, 2024 Upon antigenic stimulation, naïve CD4+ T cells can give rise to phenotypically distinct effector T helper cells and long-lived memory T cells. We computationally reconstructed the in vivo trajectory of CD4+ T cell differentiation during a type I inflammato ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Biomaterials strategies to promote functional recovery after ischemic stroke

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2030

Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2021 - 2026

Origin matters: Decoding how neonatal T cell persistence contributes to health and disease

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Foundation · 2023 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


The Scripps Research Institute · 2010 Ph.D.

External Links


Hemmers lab homepage