Sophie Paczesny

Dr. Sophie Paczesny is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where she also serves as Co-Leader of the Cancer Immunology Program at the Hollings Cancer Center. Previously, she held a tenured position in Pediatrics and Immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine, leading the Biomarkers Stem Cell Transplantation Program. She is Co-Chair of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Immunobiology and chairs committees for the American Society of Clinical Investigation (ASCI).

Dr. Paczesny's research focuses on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), biomarker discovery for post-transplant complications, and cancer immunology. Her lab pioneered proteomics-based biomarkers for GVHD and has transitioned findings to clinical practice. Key areas include the tumor microenvironment, alarmins, T lymphocyte biology, and drug-targetable biomarkers. Her work is supported by NIH, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the National Marrow Donor Program.

Her academic contributions include over 165 publications, with a focus on GVHD biomarkers, ST2 inhibitors, and translational immunology. She has mentored over 45 trainees and holds the Nora Letzter Chair in Pediatrics (formerly at IU School of Medicine). Current research emphasizes clinical trials for GVHD therapies and catchment area strategies for cancer care access.