Francesca Albano, PhD

Immunology at the Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute in Milan, Italy, where I studied the role of T cells in lung metastasis. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Perna’s lab in the Immuno-Oncology Department. I have just completed a project that resulted in a publication in the Cancer Cell journal. My current research investigates the role of the bone marrow microenvironment (BME) in determining the efficacy and toxicity of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. We are developing a humanized mouse model to characterize the cellular and molecular changes of the human BME under CAR therapy and to find a pathway to target and improve therapy tolerability and the quality of patient lives. I also serve MPDA as JSR Chair, organizing the next Junior Scientific Retreat (a career-oriented event that helps our trainees meet high-profile scientists who share their experience and knowledge about delivering science and promoting themselves).