Matthew E. Pipkin

Matthew E. Pipkin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Immunology & Microbiology at the University of Florida, where he leads the Pipkin Lab at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. His research focuses on chromatin structure and transcriptional regulation in T cell differentiation, with particular emphasis on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) development for viral immunity and cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Pipkin's research interests center on how chromatin organization and transcription factors establish and maintain T cell differentiation states. His lab pioneered novel approaches including high-resolution chromatin mapping, Prf1 reporter systems for tracking CTLs in vivo, and the first genome-scale RNAi screens in T cells during viral infections. Key research areas include:

• Transcriptional regulation of CD8+ T cell memory formation
• Epigenetic control of effector and memory T cell differentiation
• Chromatin regulatory factors in durable immunity
• Tumor microenvironment interactions with CTLs
• Novel screening platforms for immune cell function

His publication record demonstrates significant contributions to understanding T cell differentiation mechanisms, with high-impact papers in Immunity, Nature, and Cell. Current research directions include elucidating multipotency in CD8 T cell memory and nuclear receptor networks in mucosal immunity.

Dr. Pipkin serves as Principal Investigator on multiple active NIH-funded grants including:

• Nuclear Receptor Networks in Mucosal Immune Regulation (NIAID)
• Transcription factor regulation of CD4/CD8 T cell differentiation (NIAID)
• Elucidating the epigenetic landscape of neurofibromatosis (NINDS)

His lab trains numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with alumni securing positions at leading institutions including UPenn, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Binzhou Medical University. The Pipkin Lab maintains active collaborations with the Solt Lab (nuclear receptors), Sundrud Lab (mucosal immunity), Crotty Lab (Tfh cells), and Goldrath Lab (T cell memory).