Trainee of the Month – Steven Gameiro

Steven is a CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow in the Lichty Lab.

Steven’s research focuses on developing a therapeutic platform that utilizes your own cells “mail delivery system.” He was also featured in an article at Western about overcoming some harrowing health struggles to now thrive and excel as a scientist.

1. What is your current research focus?

The environment surrounding a tumour contains many different types of cells, including immune cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. These two immune cell types play a vital role in influencing the growth or death of nearby cancerous cells. When activated, these immune cells can mount a very potent immune response by producing pro-inflammatory molecules and recruiting other immune cells into the local environment. However, in most instances, these cells are present in the tumour environment but cannot eradicate the tumour. My research focuses on developing a therapeutic platform that utilizes our own cells’ “mail delivery system,” called extracellular vesicles, and modifying them to have a “postal code” displayed on their surface that is specific to those immune cells. Utilizing this system, I can deliver various therapeutic cargos that modulate their activity and reprogram them to eliminate cancerous cells. These initial studies will help us identify lead candidates to manufacture and clinically test to develop next-generation cancer immunotherapies.

2. What made you interested in pursuing cancer research?

During my 3rd year of undergraduate studies, I started working in a biochemistry lab based out of the London Regional Cancer Program at Victoria Hospital in London, ON. From this experience, I became enticed by translational cancer research, which was further enhanced when I was awarded a summer studentship in Dr. Eva Turley’s laboratory. My passion for translational cancer research continued to grow under the mentorship of my graduate studies supervisor, Dr. Joe Mymryk. As a result, I transitioned from working in an oncology-focused biochemistry lab to a tumour virology-focused lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. This research initiative combined two of my research passions, virology and oncology. During those studies, I applied my multidisciplinary knowledge of oncology, virology, immunology, and bioinformatics toward understanding the immunological differences between the tumour microenvironments of human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) and human papillomavirus-negative (HPV–) head and neck cancers.

3. What are your interests outside the CDCR and the lab?

Outside of research, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, fiancé/soon-to-be wife, and our dogs Rex and Frank. I also enjoy cooking, reading, golfing, and watching sports—soccer, hockey, and Formula 1.