Kavitha Gowrishankar

Dr. Kavitha Gowrishankar is a Senior Lecturer in Immunology at the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences, under the Faculty of Medicine and Health. She is affiliated with the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Kids Research (The Children's Hospital Westmead), and Sydney Cancer Partners. Her research focuses on adoptive cell therapy, CAR T-cells for cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and pediatric solid tumors (sarcoma, brain cancer), as well as T cell receptor engineering and HIV viral reservoir eradication. She has pioneered the use of piggyBac transposase for T-cell genetic modification and investigated combination therapies targeting melanoma and other malignancies.

Academic Background:

• PhD in Immunology (University of Sydney, 2005–2008)
• Research Training (Indian Institute of Science, India, 1992–1995)
• Master of Science in Bio-Medical Genetics (University of Madras, India, 1990–1992)
• Bachelor of Science in Botany (University of Madras, India, 1987–1990)
• Schooling in India (1975–1987)

Research Interests: Her work bridges basic immunology and translational applications. She explores CAR T-cell engineering for pediatric and adult cancers, particularly targeting the tumor microenvironment and latent HIV reservoirs in CD4 T cells. Key innovations include optimizing transposon tools for CAR insertion and developing strategies to enhance CAR T-cell efficacy against solid tumors. She also investigates epigenetic regulators (e.g., BET/HDAC inhibitors) to combat melanoma resistance mechanisms.

Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize CAR T-cell safety (e.g., lymphoma risks), novel CAR designs (e.g., piggyBat transposase), and combination therapies targeting HIV reservoirs. Her work spans preclinical studies to clinical trials, with a focus on melanoma, myeloma, and pediatric sarcomas. She frequently collaborates on projects involving T-cell receptors and interferon modulation strategies.

• Awards:
  • APA Scholarship (2005–2008)
  • CSIR Research Fellowship (India, 1992–1995)
  • Gold Medallist in M.Sc. (Bio-Medical Genetics, 1992)
  • Gold Medallist in B.Sc. (Botany, 1990)

Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD students in CAR T-cell applications for HIV and pediatric sarcomas. Leads grants including the E2CAR Trial (Phase I clinical trial for EphA2-targeted CAR T-cells in sarcoma), and collaborations targeting dual-specific CAR T-cells for HIV eradication. Her grants reflect a mix of preclinical and clinical translational research.

Labs & Teams: Active in the Westmead Institute for Medical Research and Kids Research. Collaborates with the Sydney Cancer Partners consortium, focusing on novel cellular therapies and cross-disciplinary oncology solutions.