Overview
I am a classically trained virologist with a focus on molecular mechanisms of RNA virus pathogenesis. My career is dedicated to unraveling RNA virus:host relations and devising methods of exploiting them for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine design. My background is in translation regulation and mRNA metabolism, viral RNA sensing and innate immunity, and cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Basic mechanistic research in my laboratory is supporting an ambitious clinical translational research program with active multi-center clinical trials in several cancer indications.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Cless Family Distinguished Professor in Neuro-Oncology
·
2023 - Present
Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology,
Neurosurgery
Professor of Neurosurgery
·
2016 - Present
Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology,
Neurosurgery
Professor in Medicine
·
2016 - Present
Medicine, Infectious Diseases,
Medicine
Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
·
2016 - Present
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor of Cell Biology
·
2022 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
1999 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Polio virotherapy provokes MDA5 signaling and CD4+ T cell help to mediate cancer in situ vaccination.
Journal Article Microbiol Mol Biol Rev · September 25, 2025 SUMMARYThere is overwhelming evidence that antitumor CD8+ T cell responses can mediate effective tumor control. CD8+ T cell responses are quintessential defensive measures directed against categorically intracellular pathogens. It is thus intuitively obvio ... Full text Link to item CiteElucidating cellular response to treatment with viral immunotherapies in pediatric high-grade glioma and medulloblastoma.
Journal Article Transl Oncol · February 2024 HSV G207, a double-stranded, DNA virus, and the polio:rhinovirus chimera, PVSRIPO, a single positive-strand RNA virus, are viral immunotherapies being used to treat pediatric malignant brain tumors in clinical trials. The purpose of this work is to elucida ... Full text Link to item CiteEarly enterovirus translation deficits extend viral RNA replication and elicit sustained MDA5-directed innate signaling.
Journal Article mBio · December 19, 2023 Multiple pattern recognition receptors sense vRNAs and initiate downstream innate signaling: endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 3, 7, and 8 and cytoplasmic RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) RIG-I, and MDA5. They engage distinct signaling scaffolds: mitochondri ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Duke Research Training Program in Surgical Oncology
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2029Innate Antiviral Signals for Cancer Immunotherapy
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2018 - 2028View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Hamburg (Germany) ·
1992
M.D.