University of Miami- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Miami, Florida, United States
Oriana Teran Pumar, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, University of Miami- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
I acquired my PhD at Cornell University under the tutelage of Dr. Richard Cerione. My main role in this laboratory was to lead our project on elucidating the mechanisms used by Dock7, a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, to promote tumorigenesis and cancer cell survival. After acquiring my PhD in Biochemistry, I decided to combine my passion for cancer biology with my past immunology experience in a more translational lab so I could develop the skills that will eventually allow me to become an independent researcher in the field of immuno-oncology. This desire motivated me to join the laboratory of Dr. Defne Bayik at the University of Miami as a postdoctoral fellow since this position would allow me to gain experience in setting up a new laboratory in addition to expanding my skill set to develop treatments for GBM, the most aggressive primary brain tumor. By investigating the host mechanisms that drive myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) accumulation and T-Cell dysfunction, and the pathways that control the downstream effector function of these immune cells, I aim to identify new therapeutic targets to reverse immunosuppression.
