St. Jude People

Hongbo Chi, PhD

Member, St. Jude Faculty

Chair, Department of Immunology

Robert G. Webster Endowed Chair in Immunology

Co-Director, Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology (CEPIO)

Associate Director, Basic Science, Comprehensive Cancer Center

Explore Hongbo Chi's research

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Contact Information

Hongbo Chi, PhD

Immunology

MS 351, Room M5424

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

262 Danny Thomas Place

Memphis,  TN 38105-3678

(901) 595-6282(phone)

(901) 595-5766(fax)

Quick Facts

Chi was elected a Member of the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

Chi was one of 18 St. Jude investigators recognized on the 2025 Web of Science (TM) list of highly cited researchers. 

Chi received the 2025 ICIS-Biolegend William E. Paul Award for his seminal contributions to the fields of immunology and cytokine biology

Affiliations

Department of Immunology

Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology

Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cancer Biology Program

St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Education

PhD – University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

Honors & Awards

  • 2026 Member, National Academy of Sciences
  • 2023 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • 2021 National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator Award

Research Interests

  • Studying how metabolism influences immune cell fate and function, including T cells and dendritic cells
  • Exploring nutrient signaling pathways in T-cell quiescence, quiescence exit, and differentiation
  • Using in vivo CRISPR screens and multi-omics systems tools to identify targets for reprogramming T-cell function and overcoming tumor immune evasion 
  • Applying genetic and immunometabolic engineering and therapeutic translation to improve immunotherapy for cancer and immune-mediated diseases 

Dr. Chi in Progress

Dr. Chi in St. Jude News

St. Jude Publications

See more publications from Hongbo Chi