Christopher J. Pirozzi, PhD, and a post-doctoral fellow in the Pirozzi Lab, Nathan Reynolds, PhD, have received the 2023 Borden Scholars Award for their work on understanding the ability of Th17 cells to elicit an immune response in the context of gliomas. Th17 cells, while having variable impact on different forms of cancer, have the potential to modulate the host immune response against gliomas within the tumor microenvironment. Pirozzi and Reynolds seek to utilize these cells and their cytokines to elucidate novel immunotherapies for low grade gliomas.
Pirozzi is an assistant professor in Pathology and a member of Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center
About the Borden Scholars Award
Duke University School of Medicine invites partnership applications from Duke faculty and postdoctoral fellows to explore innovative approaches to harness the immune system to combat cancer. This opportunity is made possible through a generous philanthropic gift from Dr. Ernest and Louise Borden.
The intent of these awards is to develop a funding trajectory for junior faculty members through support for an outstanding postdoctoral fellow in their laboratory, together with associated research expenses. Awarded projects receive $50,000 for a 12-month project period. Areas of focus include, but are not restricted to, immune checkpoint inhibitors, innovative research in tumor evasion, and novel approaches to cell therapy.
*Pictured left to right: Dr. Pirozzi and Dr. Reynolds