Sarah Richman

Sarah Richman is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting solid tumors, with a particular emphasis on overcoming neurotoxicity challenges and optimizing CAR T cell functionality. Her work integrates molecular engineering, preclinical modeling, and clinical translation, aiming to improve outcomes for pediatric cancer patients.

Key research areas include CAR T cell trafficking and imaging via reporter genes, ligand-induced degradation systems for therapeutic control, and the safety of high-affinity CAR constructs. Her lab is based at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), emphasizing translational research in pediatric oncology and neuroimmunology. Publications span immunotherapy mechanisms, T cell receptor engineering, and biosensor technologies.

Richman’s work has explored GD2 CAR T cell-induced encephalitis in neuroblastoma models, highlighting the balance between efficacy and neurotoxicity. Methodological contributions include advanced media designs for CAR T cell expansion and yeast display strategies for high-affinity protein engineering.

Her research spans over 15 years, with foundational studies in T cell receptor stability and single-chain constructs, demonstrating sustained innovation in immunotherapeutic tools and safety profiling.