Siddharth Balachandran

Siddharth Balachandran is a Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Immunology Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University. He also serves as Co-Leader of the Blood Cell Development and Function program. His research is centered on the molecular mechanisms of innate-immune and inflammatory cell death, particularly necroptosis driven by RIPK3 kinase.

• PhD, Immunology & Molecular Pathogenesis, Emory University, 2001
• BS, Chemistry, Angelo State University, 1995

Dr. Balachandran’s research focuses on how programmed cell death pathways like necroptosis are activated by viruses, cytokines, and cellular stresses. His lab investigates the role of RIPK1/3-driven cell death in viral infections, particularly influenza, and its exploitation for cancer immunotherapy. Key areas include interferon-induced necroptosis, ZBP1 activation by Z-RNAs, and leveraging these pathways to enhance anti-tumor immunity.

His recent publications highlight the role of ZBP1 and RIPK3 in controlling influenza pathogenesis and the potential of necroptosis blockade in preventing lung injury. His work also explores ADAR1’s role in suppressing ZBP1-driven necroptosis in cancer and strategies to overcome this for immunotherapy.

Notable awards include the Milstein Young Investigator of the Year (2000) and the Early Research Investigator Award (2013). His research has been widely recognized and cited, with a strong publication record in journals like Nature, Cell, and PLOS Biology.

• Milstein Young Investigator of the Year, International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research, 2000
• Early Research Investigator Award, Temple Translational Science Symposium, 2013

Dr. Balachandran mentors a dynamic team of postdoctoral associates and graduate students, including Carly DeAntoneo, Avishekh Gautam, and Chaoran Yin. His lab is actively involved in training the next generation of scientists through programs like the Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship. He has secured significant research funding to support his investigations into cell death mechanisms and their therapeutic applications in cancer and infectious diseases.

The Balachandran lab operates within the Center for Immunology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, focusing on both basic and translational research. The team uses molecular, genetic, and animal models to dissect cell death pathways and their roles in disease. Current projects include developing small molecules to activate ZBP1 in the tumor microenvironment and exploring combinatorial therapies involving NF-κB blockade and interferon treatment.