RESEARCH INTERESTS
Immuno-oncology, glioblastoma, γδ T cells, genetic/cellular therapies, data science, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence
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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
Research Laboratory Coordinator, Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center (2025 – Present)
Laboratory Compliance Liaison, Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center (2020 – Present)
Research Associate III, Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center (2019 – 2025)
Research Assistant, Department of Genetics, University of South Florida (2016 – 2017)
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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
CAR-TIL, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
Successfully integrated high efficiency CAR transduction into the rapid-expansion protocol phase of ex vivo TIL production with the goal of enhancing tumor reactivity and homing of these engineered T cells.
TIL-derived TCR against NY-ESO-1, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
In a partnership with Intellia Therapeutics, isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from patient tumors, reverse engineered their T cell receptors and elucidated a novel receptor sequence with affinity against cancer testis antigen NY-ESO-1.
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 bone-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
In collaboration with Moffitt’s Cell Therapies Facility, initiated a Phase I clinical trial for anti-PSCA γδ CAR-T cells that leverage a powerful dual-recognition mechanism in the treatment of bone-metastatic prostate cancers.
KIR2DL2 immune checkpoint modulation of CAR-T cell effector function, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
Evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL2 (KIR2DL2) on CAR-T cell effector function.
B cell stimulation for the improvement of ex vivo TIL expansion, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
Improved ex vivo TIL expansion from patient tumor fragments by stimulating tumor-infiltrating B cells with CD40L upon initiation of pre-REP phase culture.
SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody assay, Abate-Daga Lab, MCC
Produced 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 effector 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, bioluminescence imaging, 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 envelope proteins of lentiviral vectors, viral titering, Mycoplasma assay
Computer Software
FlowJo, Living Image, GraphPad Prism, SnapGene, Image Studio, IsoSpeak, ChemDraw, Anaconda, Azure Data Studio, Mnova NMR, PNMR, OMNIC IR, Microsoft Office (I have been referred to as a “Microsoft Excel wizard”)
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)
American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (Associate Member, since 2025)
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PUBLICATIONS
Bustos, Xiomar; Snedal, Sebastian; Tordesillas, Leticia; Pelle, Eleonora; Abate-Daga, Daniel PhD; γδ T Cell–Based Adoptive Cell Therapies Against Solid Epithelial Tumors, The Cancer Journal: 7/8 2022 – Volume 28 – Issue 4 – p 270-277 doi: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000606
Potez M#, Snedal S#, She C, Kim J, Thorner K, Tran TH, Ramello MC, Abate-Daga D, Liu JKC. Use of phage display biopanning as a tool to design CAR-T cells against glioma stem cells. Front Oncol. 2023 Mar 24;13:1124272. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1124272. PMID: 37035164; PMCID: PMC10080078. # authors contributed equally and share first authorship.
Frieling JS, Tordesillas L, Bustos XE, Ramello MC, Bishop RT, Cianne JE, Snedal SA, Li T, Lo CH, de la Iglesia J, Roselli E, Benzaïd I, Wang X, Kim Y, Lynch CC, Abate-Daga D. γδ-Enriched CAR-T cell therapy for bone metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Sci Adv. 2023 May 3;9(18):eadf0108. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adf0108. Epub 2023 May 3. PMID: 37134157; PMCID: PMC10156127.
Dukes CW, Rossetti RA, Hensel JA, Snedal S, Cubitt CL, Schell MJ, Abrahamsen M, Isaacs-Soriano K, Kennedy K, Mangual LN, Whiting J, Martinez-Brockhus V, Islam JY, Rathwell J, Beatty M, Hall AM, Abate-Daga D, Giuliano AR, Pilon-Thomas S. SARS-CoV-2 antibody response duration and neutralization following natural infection. J Clin Virol Plus. 2023 Aug;3(3):100158. doi: 10.1016/j.jcvp.2023.100158. Epub 2023 Jul 1. PMID: 37654784; PMCID: PMC10470471.
Hall MS, Teer JK, Yu X, Branthoover H, Snedal S, Rodriguez-Valentin M, Nagle L, Scott E, Schachner B, Innamarato P, Hall AM, Blauvelt J, Rich CJ, Richards AD, Ceccarelli J, Langer TJ, Yoder SJ, Beatty MS, Cox CA, Messina JL, Abate-Daga D, Mule JJ, Mullinax JE, Sarnaik AA, Pilon-Thomas S. Neoantigen-specific CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are potent effectors identified within adoptive cell therapy products for metastatic melanoma patients. J Immunother Cancer. 2023 Oct;11(10):e007288. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007288. PMID: 37802604; PMCID: PMC10565316.
Rossetti RAM, Tordesillas L, Beatty MS, Cianne J, Martinez Planes E, Du D, Snedal S, Wang C, Perez BA, Berglund A, Chen YA, Sarnaik A, Mulé JJ, Creelan B, Pilon-Thomas S, Abate-Daga D. CD40L stimulates tumor-infiltrating B-cells and improves ex vivo TIL expansion. J Immunother Cancer. 2025 Apr 8;13(4):e011066. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-011066. PMID: 40199608; PMCID: PMC11979601.
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POSTERS/ABSTRACTS
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
Fontela, M.G., Snedal, S., & Abate-Daga, D. (2022). 225 Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL2 (KIR2DL2) immune checkpoint as a modulator of T-cell effector function. Regular and Young Investigator Award Abstracts.
Pelle’, E., Cives, M., Medina, E., Mason, C., Snedal, S., Perez, X.B., Tordesillas, L., Fontela, M.G., Rossetti, R.A., Maiorano, G., Luca, V., Hwu, P., Abate-Daga, D., & Strosberg, J.R. (2022). 1375 A hormone-based bispecific T cell engager (BiTE)-like molecule for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. Regular and Young Investigator Award Abstracts.
Fontela, M.G., Snedal, S., Planes, E.M., & Abate-Daga, D. (2023). Abstract 887: Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL2 (KIR2DL2) immune checkpoint modulates CAR-T cell effector function. Cancer Research.
Pelle’, E., Cives, M., Medina, E., Mason, C., Snedal, S., Bustos-Perez, X.E., Tordesillas, L., Gomez, F.M., Marques, R.R., Maiorano, G., Luca, V., Hwu, P., Abate-Daga, D., & Strosberg, J.R. (2023). Development of a Novel Anti-SSTR Bispecific T-Cell Engager (BiTE)-like Molecule for the Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors. Endocrine Abstracts.
Sebastian Snedal, Miguel Gomez-Fontela, John Mullinax, Shari Pilon-Thomas, Daniel Abate-Daga. A novel T cell receptor targeting cancer testis antigen NY-ESO-1.
Moffitt Scientific Symposium; May 2024; Tampa, FL.
Zhang, J., Tordesillas, L., Kim, Y., Snedal, S., Marques Rossetti, R.A., Cox, C., Karyampudi, L., & Abate-Daga, D. (2024). 639 Phase I clinical trial of autologous gamma/delta-enriched chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells to target prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer. Regular and Young Investigator Award Abstracts.
Pelle’, E., Cives, M., Chaoul, N., d’Angelo, G., Medina, E., Mason, C.C., Snedal, S., Bustos-Perez, X.E., Maiorano, G., Luca, V.C., Hwu, P., Abate-Daga, D., & Strosberg, J. (2025). A novel hormone based anti-SSTR bispecific T-cell engager for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. Endocrine Abstracts.
Sebastian Snedal, Miguel Gomez-Fontela, Aileen Alontaga, Theresa Boyle, Biao Liu, Birgit Schultes, John Mullinax, Shari Pilon-Thomas, Daniel Abate-Daga. A novel T cell receptor targeting cancer testis antigen NY-ESO-1.
American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Annual Meeting; May 2025; New Orleans, LA.
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CLINICAL SHADOW EXPERIENCE
Convection-enhanced Delivery of OS2966 for Patients with High-grade Glioma Undergoing a Surgical Resection
Moffitt Cancer Center (Fall 2021)
Invited by Dr. James Liu to observe the brain tumor resection of a patient enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial for the convection-enhanced delivery of an integrin beta-1 blocking antibody
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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