I have been studying human leukocyte antigens (HLA) polymorphism, their role in antigen presentation and the recognition of HLA/antigen complexes by human T cells since 1981. As a post-doctoral fellow at NIH and Washington University, I carried out research on the role of HLA polymorphisms in viral antigen presentation. I have a broad background in immunology, with expertise in human T cell biology. Since 2005, I have participated in multi-disciplinatory teams of basic scientists and physicians carrying out translational projects. My research interests have centered on questions related to the generation and modulation of anti-tumor human T cell immunity and how these responses can be harnessed to develop better immune therapeutics. My laboratory develops methods for (1) identification of tumor antigens, (2) improvement of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines and (3) expansion of tumor-specific T cells. Recently, in collaboration with oncologists, genomic and proteomic experts, we have demonstrated that tumor somatic mutations can be mined to identify neoantigen in cancer patients. This information will allow the development of improved cancer vaccine and adoptive T cell therapies.