Paul Armistead

Paul Armistead, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine and a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. He serves as Associate Chief of Hematology for Basic and Translational Research, Medical Director of the Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility, and Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program. His clinical expertise spans stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies, and the treatment of hematologic malignancies with a focus on acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

• Education: MD and PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill (2001, 1998)
• Key Honors: Morehead Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, Mitchiko Kuno Research Award, John William Pope Distinguished Professor of Medicine

Research in the Armistead Lab centers on cancer antigen discovery and the development of immunotherapeutics targeting leukemia-specific antigens. Notably, his team identified minor histocompatibility antigens (mHAgs) like T4A and is optimizing high-throughput methods to discover new targets using DNA cohorts, binding algorithms, and tetramer-based T-cell analysis. Collaborative efforts with UNC departments focus on TRIM42's role in leukemogenesis and HPLC/MS antigen verification.

A review of his recent publications reveals trends in AML immunotherapy, CAR T-cell applications, and histocompatibility antigen profiling. His work bridges translational research and clinical implementation, particularly in minimizing graft-versus-host disease while enhancing anti-leukemia immunity.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Presenter, MD Anderson Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Research Forum (2008)
  • Tufts Excellence in Teaching Award (2005)
  • Mitchiko Kuno Research Award (1998)
  • John William Pope Distinguished Professor of Medicine (2008)

His leadership extends to co-directing the Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program and advancing UNC's RNA Discovery Center initiatives. The lab employs cutting-edge technologies like micropallet assays to measure antigen-specific cytotoxicity and clone active T cells, contributing to personalized cancer immunotherapy.