Maninder Sandey

Maninder Sandey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP), he bridges veterinary anatomic pathology and comparative oncology to advance cancer immunotherapy. His research integrates molecular biology, immunopathology, and One Health principles, focusing on nanobody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors and TNFRSF co-stimulation to enhance anti-tumor responses.

• PhD, Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Auburn University (2012)
• MVSc, Animal Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (2005)
• DVM (DVM), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India (2004)

Dr. Sandey’s lab specializes in translational cancer research, leveraging naturally occurring canine cancers as models for human malignancies. His work targets immune checkpoint pathways (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4) and combines TNFRSF agonism to overcome tumor resistance. He also explores the genetic basis of obesity in children and dendritic cell modulation in inflammatory diseases.

His 15 most recent articles focus on immunotherapy, virology, and comparative oncology. Key trends include nanobody engineering, CRISPR/Cas9 viral modification, and translational models for osteosarcoma and lymphoma. Subfields span T-cell activation, tumor microenvironment analysis, and cross-species genetic studies.

Dr. Sandey’s research team includes PhD candidates Damien Ruiz, Alana Kramer, and Himanshi, alongside undergraduate students Nathan Newman and Jillian Henderson. His lab receives funding from the NCI-NIH 1R15CA277677-01 and Breast Cancer Research Foundation Alabama (BCRFA), supporting projects like the aPD1-Fc-OX40L fusion protein for cancer therapy and macrophage modulation in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).