John Maciejowski

John Maciejowski, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Molecular Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His research bridges cancer biology and innate immunity, focusing on how genomic instability activates immune pathways such as cGAS-STING and drives mutagenesis via APOBEC3 enzymes.

His research interests include:

• Chromosomal instability and micronuclei formation
• cGAS-STING pathway regulation in cancer
• APOBEC3-mediated mutagenesis
• Cancer genome evolution
• Therapeutic targeting of DNA damage responses

The recent publications from the Maciejowski lab highlight a strong focus on the mechanistic regulation of innate immune sensors by cellular nucleases, particularly TREX1, and how these processes influence tumor immunogenicity and genome integrity. The work combines molecular biology, genetics, and cancer models to uncover fundamental mechanisms with translational relevance.

His scientific awards include:

• Pershing Square Sohn Prize
• Pew Biomedical Scholar
• V Foundation Scholar
• Pathway to Independence Award
• Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation
• Tri-Institutional Breakout Prize
• Jane Coffin Childs Fellowship

Dr. Maciejowski mentors trainees and leads an active research program supported by competitive grants. His lab has deposited multiple plasmids at Addgene, indicating collaborative engagement with the broader scientific community. He is involved in key initiatives at the Tri-Institutional level, reflecting deep integration within the New York biomedical research ecosystem.

The Maciejowski Lab investigates mechanisms linking genomic instability to innate immune activation, operating at the intersection of cancer biology, DNA repair, and immunology. The lab uses advanced cell models and genetic tools to dissect pathways such as cGAS-STING and APOBEC3, with implications for cancer therapy and genome evolution.