Francesca Neville

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Immunotherapy & Tumor Biology
By dissecting tumor microenvironments and immune‑cancer cell interactions, this group identifies checkpoints and antigens critical for anti‑tumor immunity. They develop and test novel payloads—such as engineered T cells, bispecific antibodies, and oncolytic viruses—to boost selective cancer cell killing.

Their translational pipeline moves promising candidates from bench to early‑phase trials, with the goal of improving efficacy and reducing off‑target effects in solid and hematologic malignancies.
Plant Systems Biology
Combining high‑throughput omics with mathematical modeling, this team uncovers how plants rewire metabolic and signaling networks under stress (drought, pathogens, salinity) or during developmental transitions. They validate key regulators in model species and crops.

Insights drive engineering of more resilient, higher‑yield varieties and sustainable bio‑production of valuable compounds, bridging basic plant science with agricultural innovation.

CRISPR‑Enhanced T Cell Therapies
Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9, we edit T cells to boost tumor‑homing receptors and resist inhibitory signals within the tumor microenvironment. Preclinical safety and persistence studies will inform protocol optimization. This translational pipeline aims to advance lead candidates into first‑in‑human trials.
Smart Nanocarrier Platforms for Targeted Drug Delivery
This project engineers stimuli‑responsive nanocarriers that only release their payload at disease sites, leveraging pH‑ and enzyme‑sensitive polymers. In vitro assays and animal models will evaluate biodistribution, controlled release kinetics, and therapeutic efficacy. The ultimate goal is a safe, scalable platform for precision medicine applications.