Michael Nishimura

Michael Nishimura is a Professor in the Department of Surgery at Loyola University Chicago with a secondary appointment in Cancer Biology. He serves as Associate Director of the Cancer Center Translational Research and Program Director of Immunologic Therapeutics. His research focuses on cancer immunology, T cell receptor genetics, and chimeric antigen receptor functions. Dr. Nishimura holds a BA, MS, and PhD in Cancer Immunology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology.

His career spans over 35 years in tumor immunology and T cell-based therapies, leading to three clinical trials and treating 28 patients with gene-modified T cells. Research interests include TCR gene modification for adoptive cell therapy, immune checkpoint modulation, and enhancing CAR-T cell efficacy.

Publications highlight advancements in TCR structure-function relationships, immune checkpoint molecules like Siglec-5, and strategies to improve genetically modified T cell persistence. Collaborations involve molecular oncology, immunogenetics, and translational medicine.