Membership of the Immune Oncology (IO) Program is composed of a diverse and multidisciplinary group of investigators with robust strength in immunogenetics, cellular and molecular immunology, onco-immunology, and translational immunotherapeutics. IO investigators work collaboratively to investigate, discover, and improve current and new immune-based therapeutics in an effort to overcome mechanisms of immune resistance and evasion by cancer cells, creating paradigm-shifting discoveries in both preclinical and clinical realms.
Program Aims
- Elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control antitumor immunity and recognition of cancer cells by immune cells.
- Discover novel strategies to overcome acquired and/or adaptive immune resistance.
- Develop clinical trials leveraging novel molecular, cellular, and immune cancer therapeutics.
Program Members
  - Ata Abbas, PhDResearch ScientistDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: axa335@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.1627 
  - Donald D. Anthony, Jr. , MD, PhDProfessorSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: DDA3@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.3540 
  - Faiz Anwer, MDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: anwerf@ccf.org 
  - Federico Aucejo, MDDirectorLiver Cancer ProgramCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: aucejof@ccf.org 
  - Stefanie Avril, MDAssociate ProfessorSchool of MedicineNorma C. and Albert I. Geller Professor in Ovarian Cancer ResearchMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: stefanie.avril@case.edu - Phone: 216.844.3890 
  - Tonjeh Bah, MDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: tbah@metrohealth.org 
  - Jayati Basu, PhDAssistant StaffCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: BASUJ@ccf.org 
  - Claudio Brunstein, MD, PhDHematology and Medical OncologyCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: brunstc@ccf.org 
  - G. Thomas Budd, MDProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: buddg@ccf.org - Phone: 216.444.6480 
  - Laura Bukavina, MDAssistant ProfessorUrologyCleveland ClinicSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: laura@bukavina.com - Phone: 216.444.6043 
  - Aaron Burberry, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: aaron.burberry@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.1066 
  - Tatiana V. Byzova, PhDProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineCleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve UniversityMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: byzovat@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.4312 
  - Paolo F. Caimi, MDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineDivision of Hematology and OncologySchool of MedicineMedical DirectorCleveland Clinic Cancer Center Clinical Trials UnitCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: paolo.caimi@case.edu 
- Mark Cameron, PhDMemberCenter for RNA Science and TherapeuticsSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterFacultyCleveland Institute for Computational Biology- Email: mjc230@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.3196 
  - Hetty E. Carraway, MD, MBAProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: carrawh@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.5899 
  - Marilia Cascalho, MD, PhDVice Chair for ResearchDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineRichard J. Fasenmyer Professor in ImmunopathogenesisDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: marilia.cascalho@case.edu 
  - Sakti Chakrabarti, MDAssistant ProfessorUniversity Hospitals Seidman Cancer CenterMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Lai (Linda) Chan, PhDAssistant StaffCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: chanl3@ccf.org 
  - Timothy Chan, MD, PhDProfessorDepartment of Genetics and Genome SciencesSchool of MedicineCo-DirectorNational Center for Regenerative MedicineSchool of MedicineAssociate Director for Translational ResearchCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterCo-LeaderImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: CHANT2@ccf.org 
- Sung Hee Choi, PhDResearch ScientistDepartment of PediatricsSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: sunghee.choi@case.edu 
  - Kevin D. Cooper, MDChairDepartment of DermatologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of DermatologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: kevin.cooper@UHhospitals.org - Phone: 216.844.3111 
  - Gregory Cooper, MDProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Population and Quantitative Health SciencesSchool of MedicineCo-LeaderPopulation and Cancer Prevention ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: Gregory.Cooper@uhhospitals.org - Phone: 216.844.5385 
  - Mari H. Dallas, MDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PediatricsSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: mhd27@case.edu - Phone: 216.844.3345 
  - Jerry Dang, MD, PhDAssociate ProfessorSurgeryCleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve UniversityBariatric, Foregut, and Flexible Endoscopic SurgeonDigestive Disease InstituteCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Robert M. Dean, MDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: deanr@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.5365 
  - Changchun Deng, MD, PhDAssociate ProfessorHematology and OncologyUniversity Hospitals Seidman Cancer CenterMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Amar Desai, PhDAssistant ProfessorCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: amar.desai@case.edu 
  - C. Marcela Diaz, PhDAdjunct Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: diazc2@ccf.org 
  - James Driscoll, MD, PhDClinical Associate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: james.driscoll@UHospitals.org - Phone: 216.368.0933 
  - George R. Dubyak, PhDProfessorDepartment of Physiology and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: george.dubyak@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.5523 
  - Robert L. Fairchild, PhDProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: fairchr@ccf.org - Phone: 216.444.3146 
  - Sarah Ferri, MDAssociate StaffPediatric Hematology and OncologyCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: sferri7878@gmail.com 
  - Claudio Fiocchi, MDProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Inflammation and ImmunitySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: fiocchc@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.0895 
  - Saori Furuta, PhDAssociate ProfessorCancer BiologyCase Western Reserve UniversityMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: sxf494@case.edu 
  - Molly Gallogly, MD, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Stanton L. Gerson, MDDeanSchool of MedicineSenior Vice President for Medical AffairsDirectorNational Center for Regenerative MedicineProfessorDepartment of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Environmental Health SciencesMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: stanton.gerson@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.2825 
  - Wendy A. Goodman, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: wag@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.3920 
  - Neetu Gupta, PhDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: guptan@ccf.org - Phone: 216.444.7455 
  - Betty K. Hamilton, MDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: hamiltb2@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.7580 
  - Clifford V. Harding, MD, PhDJoseph R. Kahn Professor and Chair of PathologyDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of AnatomySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity Hospitals Distinguished PhysicianUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center- Email: cvh3@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.3611 
  - Brian T. Hill, MD, PhDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: hillb2@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.9451 
  - Alex Y.C. Huang, MD, PhDProfessorDepartment of PediatricsSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineCo-LeaderImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterDirectorMedical Scientist Training ProgramSchool of Medicine- Email: alex.y.huang@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.1271 
  - James Ignatz-Hoover, MD, PhDHematologist/OncologistUniversity Hospitals Seidman Cancer CenterAssistant ProfessorSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: jji12@case.edu 
  - Deepa Jagadeesh, MDClinical Assistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: jagaded@ccf.org 
  - Babal Jha, PhDAdjunct Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: jhab@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.9651 
  - Suneel Kamath, MDAssistant ProfessorCleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer InstituteMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - David R. Kaplan, MD, PhDProfessor EmeritusDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: drk5@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.6590 
  - Jack Khouri, MDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineCleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve UniversityMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: khourij@ccf.org 
  - Byung-Gyu Kim, PhDInstructorDepartment of PediatricsSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: bxk93@case.edu 
  - Xiaoxia Li , PhDProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: lix@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.8706 
  - Melissa Lumish, MDHematology and OncologyUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical CenterMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Chao Ma, PhDAssistant StaffCenter for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-OncologyLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: mac7@ccf.org 
  - Daniel J McGrail, PhDAssistant StaffImmunologyLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: mcgraid@ccf.org 
  - M. Edward Medof, MD, PhDProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineProfessorDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencesSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: m.medof@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.5434 
  - Jan Joseph Melenhorst, PhDDirectorCell Therapy and Immuno-EngineeringCleveland ClinicVice ChairImmunotherapy and Precision Immuno-OncologyCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: melenhj@ccf.org 
  - Leland Metheny, MDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Howard J. Meyerson, MDProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: howard.meyerson@case.edu - Phone: 216.844.1848 
  - Tyler E. Miller, MD, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: tymiller@case.edu - Phone: 216.286.2807 
  - Amr Mohamed, MDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: amr.mohamed@UHhospitals.org 
  - Sudipto Mukherjee, MD, MPHClinical Assistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: mukhers2@ccf.org - Phone: 216.444.0506 
  - Rebecca Obeng, MD, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: rebecca.obeng@case.edu 
  - Pushpa Pandiyan, PhDAssociate ProfessorBiological SciencesSchool of Dental MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterMemberCenter for AIDS ResearchMemberDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberDepartment of Molecular Biology and MicrobiologySchool of Medicine- Email: pushpa.pandiyan@cwru.edu - Phone: 216.368.2939 
  - Reshmi Parameswaran, MS, PhDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PediatricsSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: rxp278@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.5697 
  - Nathan A. Pennell, MD, PhDProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: penneln@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.9282 
  - Rakhshanda Layeequr Rahman, MDExecutive DirectorMetroHealth Cancer InstituteProfessorSurgical OncologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: rrahman2@metrohealth.org 
  - Parameswaran Ramakrishnan, PhD, MSAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineAssociate ProfessorDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterSchool of MedicineResearch BiologistLouis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center- Email: pxr150@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.2387 
  - Luke Rothermel, MD, MPHClinical Assistant ProfessorDepartment of SurgerySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Natalie Silver, MD, MS, FACSDirectorHead and Neck Cancer ResearchCleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: silvern@ccf.org 
  - Nora Singer, MDProfessorRheumatologyMetroHealth Medical CenterMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: nsinger@metrohealth.org 
  - Ronald M. Sobecks, MDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: sobeckr@ccf.org - Phone: 216.445.4626 
  - Raghvendra Srivastava, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of MedicineCleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve UniversityMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: srivasr@ccf.org 
  - William Tse, MD, MBAClinical ProfessorDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: wtse@metrohealth.org - Phone: 216.778.3845 
  - Koen van Besien, MD, PhDDirectorWesley Center for ImmunotherapyUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical CenterDivision ChiefHematology and Cellular TherapyUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical CenterMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - Kristen VanHeyst, DOAssistant ProfessorDepartment of PediatricsSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
  - David Wald, MD, PhDProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineCo-LeaderImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: david.wald@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.5668 
  - Li Lily Wang, PhDClinical Associate ProfessorDepartment of Molecular MedicineSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: wangl9@ccf.org - Phone: 216.973.5628 
  - Jianjun Wu, PhDAssistant StaffLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: WUJ9@ccf.org 
  - Liangliang (Lyons) Zhang, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Population and Quantitative Health SciencesSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: liangliang.zhang2@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.5968 
  - Mei Zhang, PhDAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCase School of EngineeringSchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer CenterMemberCWRU Center for Imaging Research- Email: mei.zhang2@case.edu - Phone: 216-368-6744 
  - Chen Zhao, MD, PhDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of PathologySchool of MedicineMemberImmune Oncology ProgramCase Comprehensive Cancer Center- Email: cxz545@case.edu - Phone: 216.368.4712 
