Research case studies
My research connects the organisation of immune cells with their performance in disease. These three studies trace a path from receptor trafficking to tumour immune suppression and multifunctional cellular therapies.
Receptor trafficking that supports T-cell activation
Published research · First author · Nature Communications, 2018
The question. How does the movement of receptors inside a T cell support its activation at the cell surface?
The finding. Our study identified a mobile endocytic network connecting clathrin-independent receptor internalisation with recycling and promoting T-cell activation. It links the spatial organisation of intracellular membranes to the function of an immune cell.
My contribution. I was first author of this study, developed during my research with Katharina Gaus and Jeremie Rossy at UNSW Sydney. This work established receptor trafficking and quantitative imaging as central themes of my research.
Why it matters. Understanding receptor movement provides a mechanistic foundation for investigating how immune-cell activation can be sustained or disrupted. It informs my proposed programme in Reconstructive Immunotherapy, where cellular organisation is a potential design variable for living therapies.
Understanding lipid-driven suppression in ovarian cancer
Published research · Co-author · Nature Metabolism, 2026
The question. How does the lipid environment in ovarian cancer ascites interfere with T-cell activation?
The finding. This collaborative study showed that lipids in ovarian cancer ascites disrupt T-cell receptor dynamics and impair activation, connecting the physical organisation of the immune synapse with a clinically relevant suppressive environment.
My contribution. The published contribution statement credits me with investigation, methodology, formal analysis, visualisation, and manuscript review and editing. My contribution connects immune-cell imaging and membrane biology with functional analysis of tumour-associated immune suppression.
Why it matters. Therapeutic immune cells must operate within diseased tissues. This work motivates testing cell function under relevant environmental constraints, alongside conventional activation and killing assays. Overcoming lipid-mediated suppression remains a therapeutic development objective.
Combining immune regulation and tumour killing
Preclinical research · Co-author · bioRxiv preprint, 2026
The question. Can human CD8 induced regulatory T cells combine suppression of graft-versus-host disease with tumouricidal activity?
The finding. Our preprint reports both functions in preclinical experimental systems and investigates the contribution of granzyme-K-positive supramolecular attack particles. It provides a foundation for studying immune cells with complementary regulatory and effector functions.
My contribution. The manuscript credits me with conceiving and designing experiments, performing experiments, analysing and interpreting data, and contributing to writing and editing, together with colleagues across the collaboration.
Why it matters. This work underpins my interest in multifunctional immune therapies and the CyTrex translational direction. Demonstrating tissue repair and durable restoration of tissue function remains part of the proposed Reconstructive Immunotherapy programme.
Research status. This linked manuscript is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. These preclinical findings do not establish safety or efficacy in patients.
Building an independent research programme
Together, these studies support my ambition to establish Reconstructive Immunotherapy: connecting selective disease elimination with tissue repair and durable immune regulation. I welcome discussions about academic group-leader opportunities, discovery-focused biotech leadership and research partnerships.