Congratulations to our new PhD, Dr. Ernesto León!

Dr. León successfully defended his PhD, “Enhancing the function and delivery of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells: Implications for treatment of solid tumors,” on April 4.

Title of Defense talk: “Enhancing the function and delivery of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells: Implications for treatment of solid tumors”

Mentor: Dr. Barbara Savoldo

Dr. León will be taking a position as a Manager in Advertising and Promotions Regulatory Affairs with Kite Pharma in Santa Monica, CA. Kite Pharma is part of Gilead and is one of the leaders in CAR-T cell therapy.

Highlights & Awards

Dr. León was a Cancer Cell Biology Training Program trainee and also served on the National SACNAS Board of Directors as one of two graduate student board members representing the over 130 SACNAS chapters across the nation.

Publications

Ogunnaike EA, Valdivia A, Yazdimamaghani M, Leon E, Nandi S, Hudson H, Du H, Khagi S, Gu Z, Savoldo B, Ligler FS, Hingtgen S, Dotti G. Fibrin gel enhances the antitumor effects of chimeric antigen receptor T cells in glioblastoma. Sci Adv. 2021 Oct 8;7(41):eabg5841. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abg5841. Epub 2021 Oct 6. PMID: 34613775; PMCID: PMC8494441.

Leon E, Ranganathan R, Savoldo B. Adoptive T cell therapy: Boosting the immune system to fight cancer. Semin Immunol. 2020 Jun;49:101437. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101437. Epub 2020 Nov 29. PMID: 33262066; PMCID: PMC7738356.

Here are some pics from Ernesto’s PhD defense. Click for larger images.

Ernesto at the podium as he gives his PhD defense talk.

Our new Dr. Ernesto Leon with mentor, Dr. Barbara Savoldo

On the GMB patio with a the Mariachi Viva Mexico NC band.

Attendees hold a star shaped balloon.

Ernesto’s family & friends hang out while the mariachi band plays.

Ernesto’s family & friends at his PhD party.

Ernesto’s family & friends dance to the mariachi band.

Ernesto and his family & friends dancing to the mariachi band.

Ernesto’s Lab mates at his PhD celebration.

Friends of Ernesto attend his PhD celebration.

Ernesto’s celebration dance with his Mom!

Or view it in Youtube shorts for a vertical view.

Congratulations, Ernesto, we are very proud of you! We wish you all the best!