RESEARCH INTERESTS
Immunology, neuro-oncology, glioblastoma, γδ T cells, genetic/cellular therapies, immunomodulation, TILs, translational research, data science, MSTP
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EDUCATION
BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology (University of South Florida, Tampa, FL)
Focus: Immunology, Oncology, Organic Synthesis
Minor: Chemistry
Related coursework: Biomolecules, Organic Chemistry, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Metabolism, Physics, Calculus, Genetics, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology of the Gene & Cell
BA in Psychology (University of South Florida, Tampa, FL)
Focus: Neuroscience
Related coursework: Perception, Cognition, Psychology of Learning, Physiological Psychology, Drugs and Behavior, Existentialism, Social Psychology, Statistics, Psychological Tests and Measurement
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lab Compliance Liaison, Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center (2020 – Present)
Research Associate III, Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center (2019 – Present)
Research Assistant, Department of Genetics, University of South Florida (2016 – 2017)
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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
TCR-T against neoantigens, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
In a partnership with Intellia Therapeutics, isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from patient tumors, reverse engineered their T cell receptors, and ultimately determined which receptors could recognize neoantigens from the same tumor.
CAR-T for glioblastoma multiforme, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
In a partnership with Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb, engineered CAR-T cells with specificity for glioma stem cells by using phage-display biopanning-derived peptides arranged in tandem in the place of the scFv region of the chimeric antigen receptor.
CAR-T for pancreatic and prostate cancer, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
In collaboration with Moffitt’s Cell Therapies Facility, initiated a Phase I clinical trial for GMP-produced anti-PSCA γδ CAR-T cells that allow for a powerful dual-recognition mechanism in the treatment of bone-metastatic prostate and pancreatic cancers.
SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody assay, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
Produced and titered pseudotyped spike and bald lentiviruses for the development and evaluation of a neutralizing antibody assay for Moffitt patients and Hillsborough county residents during the covid-19 pandemic.
Somatostatin receptor BiTEs for neuroendocrine tumors, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
Cloned anti-SSTR/CD3 bi-specific T-cell engager molecules to create artificial connections between neuroendocrine tumor cells and CAR-T cells.
Transduction of αβ T Cells with γδ TCR, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
Explored the potential for αβ T cells to be transduced with γδ T cell receptors.
Influence of artificial sweeteners on T-cell lymphoma progression, Jones-Mason Lab, USF
Evaluated the transcriptional effects of the artificial sweetener saccharin on T-cell lymphoma progression by monitoring differential expression of the protein-coding apoptosis-inhibiting BIRC-2 (cIAP-1) gene that interferes with caspase activity.
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SKILLS & ABILITIES
Laboratory Techniques
Extensive cell culturing, flow cytometry, molecular cloning, TCR/CAR design, ELISA, subcutaneous injection, intraperitoneal injection, tumor/organ excision and processing, SDS-PAGE/western blotting, qPCR/genotyping, DNA and RNA sequencing, bacterial transformation, plasmid purification, PBMC isolation, transient and stable gamma-retroviral transfection/transduction, lentiviral particle production, pseudotyping lentiviral vectors, viral titering, Mycoplasma assay
Computer Software
SnapGene, FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, Image Studio, IsoSpeak, ChemDraw, Anaconda, Azure Data Studio, Mnova NMR, PNMR, OMNIC IR, Microsoft Office
Spoken Languages
English (fluent), Mandarin Chinese (intermediate), Spanish (novice), Norwegian (novice)
Programming Languages
Python (novice)
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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (Allied Health Member, since 2021)
Society for Neuro-Oncology (Full Member, since 2021)
Thorium Energy Alliance (Member, since 2022)
Human Cell Atlas Project (Member, since 2022)
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PUBLICATIONS
Bustos X, Snedal S, Tordesillas L, Pelle E, Abate-Daga D. γδ T Cell-Based Adoptive Cell Therapies Against Solid Epithelial Tumors. Cancer J. 2022 Jul-Aug 01;28(4):270-277. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000606. PMID: 35880936; PMCID: PMC9335899.
Marine Potez, Sebastian Snedal, Jongmyung Kim, Konrad Thorner, Maria Cecilia Ramello, Daniel Abate-Daga, James Liu, “Glioblastoma Stem Cell Targeting CAR-T Cells Modified Using Phage Display Isolated Peptides”, Neuro-Oncology, Volume 22, Issue Supplement 2, November 2020, Page ii199, https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.831
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PRESENTATIONS/MEDIA APPEARANCES
Guest speaker, Advanced Introductory Research Experience in Molecular Biology, Combined Cell and Genetics Undergraduate Laboratory course, USF (Spring 2017)
Invited by Dr. Elizabeth Jones-Mason to present previous semesters’ experience and research findings
Guest speaker, Sunsect, Board Meeting (Summer 2017)
Invited by CEO Steve Shafer to discuss thorium-based nuclear energy and its future role in the state of Florida
Guest speaker, Advanced Introductory Research Experience in Molecular Biology, Combined Cell and Genetics Undergraduate Laboratory course, USF (Fall 2017)
Invited by Dr. Elizabeth Jones-Mason to present previous semesters’ experience and research findings
Interviewee, Science National Honors Society (Spring 2022)
Interviewed by Science National Honors Society representative Katie Terrana on working in immuno-oncology and how current youth can engage in the field