HOUSSEAU RESEARCH GROUP
Principle Investigator
Franck Housseau, PharmD PhD
Principle Investigator
I graduated from Paris University where I received my PharmD (1995; Paris V) and PhD in tumor immunology (1997; Paris VII). My research interest is the immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment to improve the response to immunotherapy. We are studying the roles of the microbiome, the tissue regeneration and aging onto the immune response to cancer, aiming at new therapeutic tools (bacteria, senescent cells, affinity matured TCR) to improve the clinical response to immune checkpoint blockade. Our work is multi-national and multidisciplinary, collaborative and innovative combining human and mouse models, biomedical and bioengineering, multi-omics and image analysis, artificial intelligence. Diversity in every domain is our theme.
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Current Members
Pakhi Birla
PhD program in immunology
I am interested in studying cancer immunology. In particular, I am interested in the interplay between the microbiome, tumor and immune system. In the Housseau lab, I am studying the role of unconventional T-cells such as MAITs and gd-T cells in cancer and how these cells can be used for treatment of cancer.
Hongni Fan
Senior Research Technologist
1. Manage Franck's lab;
2. Participate the multiple research projects;
3. Do daily research experiments;
4. Training the new lab members;
5. Write and update the lab manuals, SOPs, and procedures.
Kristi Chakrabarti Briggs, MD PhD
Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellow, PGY-5
I am a gastroenterology fellow in the physician scientist track at Johns Hopkins working in collaboration with the Housseau lab and Drew Pardoll, Joanna Melia, and Cindy Sears. I am studying changes that occur in the mucosal immune system of patients with ulcerative colitis after therapy using high parameter flow cytometry and single cell sequencing.
John Michel
MD PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering
I am studying the role of senescent cells in the metastatic process. I am interested in pediatrics and oncology.
Lansaol Yang
ScM program in Molecular Microbiology and and Immunology
I graduated from McGill University with a bachelor degree in life sciences, and I am currently a graduate student in the department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins. I am passionate about the immunotherapy for cancer, and my thesis research focuses on the recognition of Enterotoxic Bacteriodes fragilis (ETBF) by conventional and unconventional T cells in cancer
Alumni
Research Technologist
Sami Ahmad (2018-2021; JHU undergraduate research)
I graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2020 with a degree in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology. While in Baltimore, I spent four fun years with the Housseau lab studying the interplay between the human gut microbiome and immune system. My primary focus was to explore how T-helper 17 cells may mediate the response to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Although I was initially interested in an MD career, my time with Franck’s group inspired me to pursue a physician-scientist track, and I am now an MD-PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh
Research Technologist
Nile Liu (2018-2023; JHU undergraduate research)
Hi! I graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2021 with a bachelors in cognitive science, and I am currently in my gap years before applying to medical school. My research focus is on the effect of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) on Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) mediated colon tumorigenesis. I am proficient in western blot and mouse work. Outside of research, I am a soccer coach for middle schoolers and I love watching rom coms.
I am now a medical student at University of Virginia (UVA)
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