Russell JonesView profile
Professor
Dr. Russell Jones is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming at Van Andel Research Institute (VAI). His research focuses on cancer metabolism, immunology, and the interplay between cellular metabolism and immune function, with a particular emphasis on understanding how metabolic pathways influence tumor growth and anti-tumor immune responses. Dr. Jones earned his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. He has held academic positions at McGill University and VARI, where he leads a team investigating immunometabolism and cancer metabolism. His work bridges basic research and clinical translation, aiming to develop novel therapies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells and immune cells. His research interests include tumor immunology, metabolic reprogramming in T cells, and the role of metabolic checkpoints in cancer progression. Notable achievements include discovering mechanisms linking LKB1 mutations to gastrointestinal polyposis and identifying metabolic pathways critical for T cell function in tumor microenvironments. Dr. Jones has been recognized with awards such as the William Dawson Scholar distinction and election to the Royal Society of Canada. He serves on editorial boards of leading journals and actively contributes to clinical trials through collaborations with institutions like VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team. His laboratory is part of VAI’s Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to metabolism and nutrition. Current projects explore how metabolic interventions can enhance immunotherapy efficacy and uncover metabolic dependencies in cancer cells.











