David Cunningham
Houston,TX
Summary
Innovative cancer biologist and immunotherapy researcher with extensive experience in CAR T cell therapy, molecular oncology, and bioinformatics. Proven track record in developing preclinical models for novel immunotherapies, leading to patent applications and investigational new drug (IND) submissions. Skilled in in vivo modeling, genomic data analysis, and computational biology, with a strong publication record in high-impact journals. Adept at interdisciplinary collaboration, grant writing, and scientific communication.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Department of Pediatrics - Oncology
Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
05.2020 - 10.2024
- Goal of research was to develop a new CAR T cell therapy directed against ALPPL2 in preclinical models to enable FDA approval for phase I/II clinical trials
- Develop processes to implement the manufacture of human PBMC transduced with a novel single chain variable fragment in experimental systems ranging from repeat coculture to mouse models of CAR T cell therapy
- Resulted in the pending submission of a manuscript detailing preclinical findings as well as enabling a patent application and an investigational new drug application to enable trial initiation
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics - Hematology/Oncology
Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
10.2018 - 05.2020
- Goal of research was to determine the role of microRNA-214 in osteosarcoma sensitivity to frontline chemotherapy treatment
- Developed expertise in the isolation and molecular analysis of extracellular vesicles derived from sources such as cell culture media and patient serum samples
- Blockade of microRNA paracrine transport sensitized osteosarcoma cells to frontline therapies
- Applied to a wide range of funding mechanisms, including AACR, Damon Runyon-Sohn, and the NIH F series
- Completed Writing in Sciences certification course from Stanford University (available at coursera.org/verify/PB3BZA4SDQJ4)
Education
PhD - Cancer Biology
Tulane University School of Medicine
New Orleans, LAM.S. - Medical Science
Drexel University College of Medicine
Philadelphia, PAB.S. - Biology
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NYSkills
- In vivo modeling
- Cell culture
- Flow cytometry
- Immunofluorescence imaging
- Molecular biology techniques
- MicroRNA analysis
- Bioinformatics
- Computational analysis
- R programming
- RStudio
- Java
- Python
- Linux
- Microarray
- RNA-seq
- Genomic data analysis
- Molecular cloning
- PCR
- Western blotting
- Multiparameter flow cytometry
- Cell viability assays
- In vivo imaging
- Animal husbandry
- Colony management
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Communication
Knowledge Skills And Abilities
4, Intermediate proficiency with the R programming language and RStudio, Familiarity with Java and Python programming languages, Intermediate proficiency operating in a Linux environment, Microarray, RNA-seq, and genomic DNA single nucleotide polymorphism processing pipelines and quality control., Completed the Genomic Data Sciences certification from Johns Hopkins University (available at coursera.org/verify/specialization/J4QL2AHV22CS)., 14, Molecular cloning, PCR, Western blotting, Multiparameter flow cytometry, Cell culture, Cell viability assays, 10, In vivo imaging (primarily luciferase based), Various cell administration routes (intraperitoneal, intravascular, orthotopic), Animal husbandry and colony management
Orcid Id
0000-0002-8857-779X
Publications
- Interleukin-15 improves CAR T cell responses to human ALPPL2 positive cancers through NK-like differentiation., DM Cunningham, J Liu, D de la Cerda, N Ghatwai, A Courtney, L Guo, P Rathi, Y Qizhi, N Zhang, Z An, A Heczey., Manuscript under consideration at Nature Communications.
- Acoustofluidic Sonoporation Gene Delivery Utilizing DNA-encapsulated Supramolecular Nanoparticles for CAR T Cell Manufacturing., Y Gong, R Foley, DM Cunningham, T Chiou, A Steig, H Tseng, S De Oliveira, A Heczey, P Weiss, S Jonas., Manuscript in preparation.
- Targeting Lin28 axis enhances glypican-3-CAR T cell efficacy against hepatic tumor initiating cell population., T Patra, DM Cunningham, K Meyer, K Toth, RB Ray, A Heczey, R Ray., Molecular Therapy, 31, 3, 715-728, 36609146, PMC10014222
Presentations
- Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers Annual Research Symposium (2018-2020)
- Cell and Gene Therapy Works in Progress Seminar Series (2020-2024)
- American Association of Cancer Research National Meeting (2020 - cancelled due to COVID)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Department of Pediatrics - Oncology
Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
05.2020 - 10.2024
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics - Hematology/Oncology
Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
10.2018 - 05.2020
B.S. - Biology
Marist College
PhD - Cancer Biology
Tulane University School of Medicine
M.S. - Medical Science
Drexel University College of Medicine
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