Trainee of the Month – Andrew Nguyen

Andrew is a postdoctoral fellow in the Wan Lab. His research focuses on understanding how epigenetic modifying agents affect the pro- and anti-tumor immune constituents of the tumor microenvironment, and utilizing them in combination with cancer immunotherapy. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys rock climbing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

You can check out Andrew’s latest publication in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

1. What is your current research focus?

Solid tumors possess unique immunosuppressive microenvironments that curtail the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. By contrast, epigenetic modifying agents are under investigation for their ability to reprogram solid tumors to potentiate antitumor immunity.

My research focus is currently to understand how epigenetic modifying agents affect the pro- and anti-tumor immune constituents of the tumor microenvironment, and utilize them in combination with cancer immunotherapy to regress resistant solid tumors.

2. What made you interested in pursuing cancer research?

My graduating elementary school classmates wrote in my yearbook that I’d be working in cancer research, which I’d like to imagine set my career path in stone. After falling victim to the siren song of immunology, I met my professor Dr. Yonghong Wan and found amazing mentors and lab mates that helped me foster an interest for manipulating the immune system to treat cancer.

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

I like to pretend that I am somewhat competent in rock climbing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu but it’s a flimsy façade at best.