Specialization
The tumour microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer.
Focus of research
My research focuses on understanding the tumour microenvironment (TME) in non-small cell lung cancer and its role in shaping anti-tumour immunity and treatment response. I am particularly interested in how tumour cells interact with infiltrating immune and stromal cells to establish an immunosuppressive environment that enables cancer to evade immune recognition.
A central objective of my research is to investigate how the cellular composition, spatial organisation, and dynamics of the tumour microenvironment evolve during tumour development and in response to therapeutic interventions, including immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted treatments. I am especially interested in identifying the cellular communities and molecular mechanisms that contribute to treatment resistance or promote effective anti-tumour immune responses.
To address these questions, my research combines advanced technologies, including Imaging Mass Cytometry and spatial analysis, with in vitro, in vivo, and translational approaches. By characterising multiple cell populations and their spatial relationships within tumour tissue, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interactions that govern tumour progression and therapeutic outcomes.
Ultimately, my research seeks to translate these insights into clinically relevant applications by identifying predictive biomarkers, uncovering novel therapeutic targets, and developing rational combination treatment strategies. Through this work, I aim to contribute to a more precise understanding of lung cancer biology and expand the number of patients who benefit from effective, personalised cancer immunotherapy.