Christopher Peterson

Christopher Peterson, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor in the Translational Science and Therapeutics Division at Fred Hutch and Research Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also a Member of the Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center (IIRC) at Fred Hutch.

His academic background includes:

• PhD in Oncological Sciences, University of Utah (2010)
• BS in Public Health and Environmental Science, University of North Carolina (2002)

Peterson pioneers gene and cell therapy strategies targeting HIV cure and cancer treatment through hematopoietic stem cell engineering. His lab develops HIV-resistant blood stem cells and optimizes CAR T-cell therapies using immunocompetent in vivo models to enhance trafficking, reservoir targeting, and antiviral potency against viral sanctuaries and solid tumors.

The Peterson Lab executes three core initiatives: unleashing CAR T-cells for infectious diseases via antigen trafficking studies; eliminating HIV reservoirs through CRISPR and lipid nanoparticle technologies; and improving cancer immunotherapies by parallel testing of 20+ CAR variants. Long-term goals involve adapting these platforms for genetic, neurodegenerative, and malignant diseases.