Yuancheng Ryan Lu

Biography
Ryan Lu is a K99 postdoctoral fellow at the Whitehead Institute, MIT, working with Jonathan Weissman. His research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic foundations of aging and age-related diseases, using the eye as a model system. During his PhD with David Sinclair at Harvard, he developed an AAV-based in vivo reprogramming approach that restored vision in glaucoma and aging models (Nature, 2020). His current work applies functional genomics to systematically uncover novel rejuvenation pathways.

Jedd D Wolchok

Biography
Dr. Jedd D. Wolchok is a pioneering figure in cancer immunotherapy, renowned for his instrumental role in the development and approval of groundbreaking treatments for melanoma. His leadership in clinical trials led to the FDA approval of ipilimumab, the first checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, and the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab, establishing new standards of care for advanced melanoma patients. Throughout his career, Dr. Wolchok has been at the forefront of translational research, focusing on novel immunotherapeutic agents and the mechanisms of immune response to cancer. His laboratory has significantly contributed to understanding the tumor microenvironment and developing strategies to overcome resistance to immunotherapy. His contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the His work continues to shape the future of cancer treatment, emphasizing the potential of immunotherapy to provide durable control across various cancer types.

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Talk
Clinical uses of cancer immunotherapy
We will explore innovative immunotherapeutic strategies to modulate the immune response to cancer as well as to better understand the mechanistic basis for sensitivity and resistance to currently available immunotherapies.