John E. Connolly

John E. Connolly, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Immunology at Baylor University. He serves as Chief Scientific Officer at the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), where he leads research strategy in collaboration with institutional leaders. He is also a Senior Principal Investigator and Director for Translational Immunology at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMCB), A*STAR, and Director of the IMPACT Program in Singapore.

• PhD in Immunology – Dartmouth Medical School
• Research focus: Immune monitoring, immunometabolism, and translational cancer immunotherapy
• Former CSO at Tessa Therapeutics and director at Baylor Research Institute
• Founding Director, Immunomonitoring Platform, Singapore Immunology Network
• Past President, American Cancer Society – North Texas

Dr. Connolly's research centers on advancing immune-based therapies, particularly in solid tumors, through immune monitoring and metabolic regulation of immune cells. His work bridges basic immunology with clinical translation, emphasizing cell therapy manufacturing and regulatory frameworks. He has led large-scale NIH-funded translational consortia and international research networks, focusing on rationally designed vaccines and immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases.

His scientific contributions span human dendritic cell biology, preclinical modeling of glioblastoma immunotherapy, and leadership in multi-institutional clinical trial design. As CSO at PICI, he shapes national and international cancer immunotherapy research agendas, leveraging collaborations across academia and industry.

Scientific and Leadership Recognition:

• Past President, American Cancer Society – North Texas
• Founding Director, Immunomonitoring Platform, Singapore Immunology Network
• Director, IMPACT Program – National Cell Therapy Initiative, Singapore
• Central Core Facility Director, NIAID Centers for Translational Research on Human Immunology and Biodefense

Dr. Connolly has advised and led major translational research programs across institutions. He directed research initiatives at the Baylor Research Institute, managing integrated resources across multiple international sites. He has secured and managed NIH funding through consortium leadership and continues to guide strategic research investments at PICI and A*STAR. His advisory roles include service on the Board of Governors for the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor.

He leads the translational immunology program at IMCB A*STAR and the IMPACT Program, a national initiative to build Singapore’s cell therapy ecosystem, including manufacturing, clinical trials, and regulatory infrastructure. These efforts involve cross-disciplinary teams from academia, industry, and government agencies, positioning Singapore as a hub for advanced therapy development.