03/15/2022
J. Joseph Melenhorst, PhD, has been appointed director of the new Cell Therapy and Immuno-Engineering Program, and Vice Chair of the Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology at Cleveland Clinic.
J. Joseph Melenhorst, PhD, has been appointed director of the new Cell Therapy and Immuno-Engineering Program, and Vice Chair of the Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology at Cleveland Clinic.
A renowned cancer immunology expert, Dr. Melenhorst will lead the cell therapy developmental therapeutics program, with a focus on translating research into novel cellular therapies for patients. As vice chair of the Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology, he will work with experts from across Cleveland Clinic to advance research and treatment related to the rapidly growing field of immuno-oncology.
“Immunotherapy is the future of research in cancer and various other diseases, and Cleveland Clinic has made it a priority to establish a leading cell therapy program,” said Timothy Chan, MD, PhD, chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology. “The program will empower clinicians and scientists to advance personalized cellular immunotherapy and further distinguish the Cleveland area as a top hub for cellular therapy development.”
Dr. Melenhorst joins Cleveland Clinic from University of Pennsylvania where he was a senior member of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies for almost a decade. There, he was instrumental in helping bring cell therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy into patient care. CAR-T therapy has revolutionized cancer care. His research spans basic and translational immunology with an emphasis on developing next generation immune-oncology treatments and related translational sciences. His efforts also focus on the immunobiology of CAR-T cell therapies to more safely and effectively target cancers.
Dr. Melenhorst received his Ph.D. from the University of Leiden, Netherlands.
The honor recognizes Dr. Chan's contributions to the advances of medical science, healthcare and public health.
Researchers from the new Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology will leverage their expertise with Cleveland Clinic’s world-class resources to help advance patient care and research into new therapies related to many cancer types, including head and neck cancers.
The gift from the United Arab Emirates will advance cancer and pathogen research globally.
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