Yasser Aldhamen

Yasser Aldhamen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science. His research focuses on developing immunotherapies targeting cancer and infectious diseases, particularly leveraging innate immune system mechanisms and T cell regulation. Dr. Aldhamen holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from MSU, an MBA from Eli Broad Graduate School of Management, and a master’s in Molecular Basis of Disease from the University of Toledo.

His lab investigates tumor microenvironment dynamics, SLAMF7 signaling in T cell exhaustion, and ERAP1’s role in immune regulation. Recent work highlights the anti-tumor efficacy of Ad5-SLAMF7-Fc vectors and the protective role of meningeal IL-10 in pain relapse. Dr. Aldhamen’s research spans virotherapy, gene delivery systems, and computational drug discovery, with a focus on translating findings into clinical applications.

Key research trends include: 1) engineering immunomodulatory proteins to enhance antitumor responses, 2) dissecting cytokine networks in autoimmune diseases, and 3) developing AI-driven high-throughput screening methods. His work bridges basic immunology with translational medicine, emphasizing molecular mechanisms and therapeutic translation.

Laboratory activities involve adeno-associated viral vector design, in vitro/in vivo immune profiling, and preclinical testing of novel therapeutic platforms. Future directions include refining SLAMF7-based therapies and exploring ERAP1’s role in autoimmunity through multi-omics approaches.