Steven J Bensinger

Steven J. Bensinger is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) and the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds a VMD (Veterinary Medicine) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and a PhD in Immunology from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. His research focuses on understanding how lipid metabolism influences cell fate, with a particular emphasis on immune cells and cancer biology. Key areas include the role of lipids in inflammation, host defense, and cancer progression.

Dr. Bensinger leads the Bensinger Lab, which employs cutting-edge techniques such as lipidomics and stable isotope labeling to study lipid metabolic pathways. His work has led to significant findings in areas like ferroptosis sensitivity in glioblastoma, cholesterol regulation in T cells, and the impact of lipid metabolism on tumor immunity. He has secured major grants from the NIH, including roles as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on projects related to lipid metabolism in diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer.

Recent publications highlight his team's advancements in drug development (e.g., Tegavivint), metabolic reprogramming in immune cells, and the interplay between diet, lipid transport, and immune function. His interdisciplinary approach bridges basic science with translational research, aiming to translate metabolic insights into therapies for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.