David Wiest

David Wiest is a Professor and the Scientific Director of the Research Institute at Fox Chase Cancer Center, affiliated with the Center for Immunology and the Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer (NDC) program. He leads a dynamic research laboratory focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of T lymphocyte development, transformation, and immunodeficiency, with significant implications for cancer therapy.

Dr. Wiest earned his PhD in Immunology from Duke University in 1991 and completed postdoctoral training in Developmental Immunology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), finishing in 1995. His career has been dedicated to advancing knowledge in immunology and cancer biology through innovative research.

His research interests center on the specification of αβ and γδ T cell lineages, the regulatory functions of ribosomal proteins like Rpl22 in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, the use of zebrafish models to identify disease-causing genes in immunodeficient humans, and the role of ERK2 substrate binding domains in cancer. His lab employs genome-wide approaches to uncover fundamental insights into immune cell development and applies this knowledge to improve cancer treatments. The lab's work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications, including developing anti-cancer immune effectors and novel therapeutic strategies for myeloproliferative disorders.

His recent publications (2021–2025) reflect a strong focus on immune cell development, cancer signaling pathways (especially Ras/MAPK and STING), ribosomal protein functions, and the genetic basis of immunodeficiencies. Key themes include the role of transcription factors (TCF1, E proteins, Egr2) in cell fate decisions, metabolic regulation in leukemia, and the use of zebrafish for disease modeling and xenotransplantation studies.

Dr. Wiest has been recognized with numerous scientific awards, including:

• American Cancer Society Southeastern Pennsylvania Research Award
• Norman F. Conant Award for Excellence in Research
• Election to the Henry Kunkel Society
• Cancer Research Institute Fellow
• NCI Board of Scientific Counselors Senior Research Excellence Award
• Bucks County Board of Associates Key to the Chapter Award
• Inspired Leadership Award

He actively mentors students and postdoctoral fellows, including graduate student Billy Truong from Temple University, and collaborates with national and international researchers. His lab is a hub of scientific inquiry, with ongoing projects that integrate genetics, molecular biology, and immunology to address critical questions in cancer and immune disorders.

The Wiest lab investigates how ribosomal proteins like Rpl22 and its paralog Rpl22-Like1 regulate hematopoietic stem cell potential and transformation, and how ERK2 domains can be targeted therapeutically in cancers with Ras/MAPK activation. The lab also uses zebrafish models to screen for human disease-causing mutations and study tumor xenotransplantation, contributing to both basic science and clinical applications.