James Ross

James Ross, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he leads an independent research laboratory focused on neuro-immune interactions in brain tumors and chronic neurological diseases. His work bridges tumor immunology and central nervous system immunity, aiming to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies for high-grade glioma and neurodegenerative conditions.

Research Interests: The Ross Lab investigates how tumor-associated macrophages and microglia contribute to immune suppression in high-grade gliomas, utilizing immune-competent mouse models, human patient samples, high-dimensional flow cytometry, single-cell sequencing, and in vivo intravital imaging. A major goal is to engineer myeloid cells to disrupt immunosuppressive networks in the brain. The lab also studies CNS immunity during chronic antigen exposure, including persistent viral infections like LCMV, to understand CD8 T cell exhaustion and the role of glia and meninges in immune regulation. These insights are being applied to improve checkpoint blockade efficacy in the brain and inform therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientific Awards:

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Advising and Grants: Dr. Ross is actively mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral trainees, with plans to expand his team starting Fall 2025. He emphasizes strong mentorship and professional development, seeking motivated individuals, especially those with bioinformatics expertise. While specific grants are not mentioned, his research program is supported through institutional and likely federal funding mechanisms consistent with active NIH-style R01-level programs.

Labs and Teams: The Ross Lab is an independent research group within the UVA Neuroscience Department, collaborating with other primary faculty and participating in broader research coalitions such as the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Coalition. The lab fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment integrating immunology, neuroscience, and computational biology.