Kathleen C.F. Sheehan

Kathleen C.F. Sheehan, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSM). She holds leadership roles as Director of the Hybridoma Center, Co-Head of the Immunomonitoring Laboratory (IML) within the Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs (CHiiPs), and Director of the Immunoassays Group.

Education:

• BS, University of Notre Dame (1980)
• PhD, St. Louis University School of Medicine (1986)

Her research focuses on cytokine biology, particularly the role of interferons and tumor necrosis factor in immune diseases, cancer immunotherapy, and infectious disease mechanisms. She specializes in developing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) using Armenian hamster models and genetic immunization techniques for both research and clinical applications.

Sheehan’s work includes high-dimensional analyses of immune cell populations during immune checkpoint therapy (ICT), combinatorial cancer treatment strategies, and immunoassay development. Her antibody-based therapies have demonstrated efficacy in murine tumor rejection models.

Scientific Awards:

• Member, Alpha Sigma Nu honor society

She oversees two shared resource facilities: the Hybridoma Center for mAb development and the IML for immunomonitoring in human/mouse models.