Richard Simpson

Dr. Richard Simpson is Professor in the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness at the University of Arizona, with joint appointments in Pediatrics, Immunobiology, BIO5 Institute, and Arizona Cancer Center. He holds the Gouri Bhattacharya Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Cancer Research. Research focuses on exercise immunology in cancer, aging, and spaceflight contexts.

Current projects examine exercise as an immune adjuvant for cell therapies in hematological malignancies (NIH R01), spaceflight impacts on antiviral immunity (NASA NNX16AG02G), and behavioral countermeasures for isolated environments (NASA 80NSSC19K1480). Dr. Simpson serves as President of the International Society of Exercise Immunology and participates in the World Cancer Research Fund's expert panel.

Key research themes include β-adrenergic signaling in anti-tumor immunity, exercise modulation of immunosenescence, and optimizing cell therapies through physiological interventions. Recent publications demonstrate exercise-enhanced cytotoxicity of γδ T-cells and NK-cells against hematological malignancies.