St. Jude Research

Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology

 

 

logo lockup for CEPIO

The Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology (CEPIO) serves as the central hub to advance and coordinate cross-disciplinary studies in immuno-oncology across St. Jude basic and clinical Departments, Cores, and Centers. Co-led by Hongbo Chi, PhD,  Chair of the Department of Immunology, and Stephen Gottschalk, MD, Chair of the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, CEPIO operates with support from, and in collaboration with, the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Our mission and vision

The mission of CEPIO is to advance and coordinate interdisciplinary research in discovery and translational immuno-oncology to understand disease mechanisms, discover druggable targets and translate these findings into curative therapies for pediatric cancer. Our vision is to cure the incurable; to harness the power of the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

CEPIO Strategic Priorities

Discovery-Based Research

Discovery-based research maps the immune landscape of pediatric cancers, revealing new targets and mechanisms for the development of effective immunotherapies.

Translational
Immuno-Oncology

Translational immuno-oncology drives progress in target discovery, immune cell engineering and conduct of clinical immunotherapy studies.

Collaboration


Collaboration fuels innovation and accelerates progress in pediatric immuno-oncology, bringing promising immunotherapies to children.

Collaborations and initiatives

In their own words

Stephen Gottschalk, MD and Hongbo Chi, PhD discuss the achievements in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy as part of the celebration of Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month in June.

Stephen Gottschalk, MD

Hongbo Chi, PhD

CEPIO Research Groups

Affiliate Faculty

Recent immunotherapy news

Immunotherapy at St. Jude: A history with impact

Immunotherapy has revolutionized how we treat children with cancer, infectious diseases and other disorders. It holds the promise to not only provide cures for currently ‘incurable’ pediatric cancers but also reduce long-term adverse effects compared to conventional therapies. For over 30 years, St. Jude investigators have significantly contributed to the field of immunotherapy.

Virus-specific T-cell therapy

In the 1990s, a team led by Cliona Rooney, PhD, Helen Heslop, MD, and Malcolm Brenner, MD, PhD, performed pioneering studies with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T cells. For the first time ever, researchers demonstrated that EBV-specific T cells could be safely administered to humans, and that these cells prevented and eradicated EBV-positive lymphoma post-transplant. Since then, T cells have been developed to prevent or treat other viral infections. Based on these studies, investigators have also adapted the technology to develop cancer-specific T-cell therapies.

CAR T-cell therapy

The advent of clinical grade cellular engineering enabled the generation of T cells that are genetically modified to target cancer cells. To date, the most successful approach engineers T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize proteins expressed on the cell surface of cancer cells. For example, the FDA-approved CAR T-cell product for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) uses a CAR that recognizes CD19, which was originally developed in the early 2000s by Dario Campana, MD, at St. Jude. In addition, Terrence Geiger, MD, PhD, now Deputy Director for Academic and Biomedical Operations, developed novel CARs for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Since 2018, under the leadership of Stephen Gottschalk, MD, St. Jude has developed its own active clinical CAR T-cell therapy program, making St. Jude one of the first pediatric hospitals to provide this type of immunotherapy to patients. 

Currently, multiple St. Jude investigators are pioneering CAR T-cell therapy for a variety of tumor types: for hematological malignancies, Aimee Talleur, MD, Swati Naik, MD, and Paulina Velasquez, MD, all from the Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy; for solid tumors, Rebecca Epperly, MD, and Christopher DeRenzo, MD, MBA, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, and Lindsay Talbot, MD, Department of Surgery; for brain tumors, Kelsey Bertrand, MD, MSc, MBBS, FAAP, Department of Oncology, Giedre Krenciute, PhD, and Christopher DeRenzo, MD, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy. 

Next generation T-cell therapy

While T-cell therapy has been an effective treatment for ALL, it has been less successful for other cancers including AML, solid tumors and brain tumors. St. Jude investigators have focused on discovery-based research and novel engineering approaches to improve these therapies. 

In vivo CRISPR perturbation screens performed by the Chi lab identified negative regulators in T cells that limit their anti-tumor activity and Benjamin Youngblood, PhD, and Caitlin Zebley, MD, PhD, Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, deciphered epigenetic programs that limit T-cell function. St. Jude investigators are also actively exploring additional genetic modifications of T cells to enhance their activity against pediatric cancers. Together, these discoveries lay the foundation for the next generation of T-cell therapies that stand to increase cure rates and improve quality of life for patients. 

GD2 monoclonal antibodies

Over the last decade, Wayne Furman, MD, Sara Federico, MD, and Alberto Pappo, MD, Department of Oncology, developed a novel GD2 monoclonal antibody for patients with neuroblastoma and demonstrated its safety and efficacy in clinical studies. Work is being done to combine this antibody with an immune stimulatory cytokine to further improve its therapeutic efficacy.

The future of immunotherapy at St. Jude

Yunlong Zhao talking to someone at CEPIO

Immunotherapy will play an integral role in changing the outlook for incurable and relapsed pediatric cancers. With already-established basic and translational immuno-oncology and immunotherapy-focused research programs and St. Jude’s continued recruitment of cellular immunotherapy experts, we are advancing our understanding of the landscape of target antigens associated with pediatric cancers. These findings will allow for the identification of attractive immunotherapeutic targets that researchers can leverage to engineer the next generation of CAR T cells. Emphasis will also be placed on understanding the molecular nuances of the immune microenvironment, details which can dramatically impact immunotherapeutic interventions.  

Join our team

CEPIO is actively recruiting faculty and staff who are motivated to explore discovery and translational research focused on pediatric immuno-oncology.

Posted October 03, 2025
Preclinical Modeling Scientist – Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology
  • Memphis, TN
  • CEPIO
  • Laboratory Sciences & Support
Join Our Team!The Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology (CEPIO) is seeking an experienced Scientist to manage the Center’s immuno-oncology preclinical murine modeling core. CEPIO serves as the central hub to advance and coordinate cross-disciplinary studies in immuno-oncology across St. Jude basic and clinical Departments, Cores, and Centers.The successful candidate is expected to have significant prior experience in developing and standardizing preclinical murine models to support target discovery, validation, and functional testing, including the generation of new genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs).The Scientist will play a central role in developing and managing faithful disease models in vivo (e.g., GEMMs, surgically induced murine models) to support immuno-oncology research and translational efforts. This position offers the opportunity to engage in high-impact research with translational potential, contributing directly to developing novel cancer immunotherapies. Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of, and having a high level of enthusiasm for, new and emerging technologies in preclinical murine modelling for immuno-oncology and their potential applications will be important. This includes beta-testing new tools, customizing technologies to fit CEPIO’s research needs, and developing in-house protocols for complex experiments. The ideal candidate will work with collaborators across CEPIO with the goals of establishing faithful models to enable and support immuno-oncology research and translational efforts.ResponsibilitiesCoordinate multiple aspects of research projects and execute laboratory experiments utilizing appropriate laboratory techniques, tools, and methods.Provide inputs regarding research protocols and experiments, set up protocols, and assist in developing new laboratory techniques as required.Identify, process, organize, summarize, review, and report relevant experimental data.Draft sections of research manuscripts as directed.Support monitoring and stocking of supplies, and calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and purchase of equipment within area.Instruct other staff in basic laboratory techniques and procedures.Design, troubleshoot, and refine experimental approaches to answer critical research questions.Process, organize, and analyze complex datasets, providing detailed reports on findings.Provide technical support for ongoing projects, including maintaining datasets, lab documentation, and compliance with safety regulations.Engage in collaborative research projects with internal and external teams to advance research and translation in immuno-oncology.Maintain regular and predictable attendance, contributing to a positive and productive lab environment.Minimum Education and/or Training:Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific area is required.Minimum Experience:Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required.Six (6) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree.Three (3) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD.Prior experience in lab techniques is preferred.Experience in lab and scientific project coordination, maintenance, and other research support activities preferred. Prior experience with the generation of GEMMs in immunology and/or cancer biology is highly preferred.Professional Growth OpportunitiesCEPIO provides a vibrant research environment with access to advanced tools and resources, including state-of-the-art imaging platforms and cutting-edge molecular biology techniques. CEPIO fosters a culture of collaboration, offering opportunities for professional development and advancement.We invite motivated scientists passionate about preclinical murine models and immuno-oncology to apply and join us in pushing the boundaries of immuno-oncology and immunotherapy in the fight against pediatric cancers.CompensationIn recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $86,320 - $154,960 per year for the role of Preclinical Modeling Scientist – Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology.Explore our exceptional benefits!St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNo Search FirmsSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
Posted March 11, 2025
Faculty Position – Immunology or Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy – Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology
  • Memphis, TN
  • CEPIO
  • Faculty
SJCRHSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has launched a significant expansion of its translational immuno-oncology and immunotherapy program with the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology (CEPIO). We are recruiting laboratory-based faculty members for the center at the ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE or FULL Member levels.This effort is led by investigators in the Departments of Immunology and Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy. We are seeking creative and collaborative scientists with a strong interest of studying cancer immunology focusing on 1) the tumor microenvironment, 2) immunometabolism, 3) tumor/immune cell interactions, 4) systems immunology and functional genomics, and/or 5) ex vivo or in vivo immune cell engineering. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-class research institution dedicated to pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. Our mission is to advance research and cures for pediatric cancer, the number one cause of death by disease for U.S. children past infancy. We are the first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated solely to children. Our Cancer Center has been recognized with the highest possible ranking of “exceptional” in its two most recent five-year reviews by the NCI. St. Jude is a highly interactive environment offering its faculty a remarkable opportunity to perform groundbreaking independent and collaborative research. We provide long-term institutional support past start-up to facilitate innovation and discovery. St. Jude provides an impressive array of shared resources and core facilities to support research and discovery efforts across the institution. In addition, investigators have a access to a GMP facility, and resources developed at St. Jude relevant to pediatric cancer. This includes genomic data in the St. Jude Cloud and extensive repositories of patient-derived xenografts matched to primary patient samples and data. You will join a collaborative network of basic, translational, and clinical investigators conducting high-impact, interdisciplinary research.Academic Departments and DivisionsSt. Jude is located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, a vibrant and friendly city at the historic American crossroads of music, trade, food, and culture. Mild winters and beautiful green outdoor spaces are part of the reasons why Forbes recently named Memphis the 4th happiest city in which to work. Cost of living and high quality of life are other attractions; in fact, Money magazine listed Memphis as one of the least expensive cities in which to raise a child.St. Jude facilities and salaries are highly competitive, and a generous start-up and benefit packages are included. St. Jude is consistently highly ranked in the U.S. News Best Children’s Hospital’s for Pediatric Cancer and in Fortune magazine’s list of 100 best places to work.Minimum Education Successful applicants must hold a PhD, MD and/or equivalent degree, have at least three years of relevant postgraduate experience, and have a proven track record of productivity. How to ApplyApplicants should submit the following items directly online:Cover LetterCurriculum VitaeStatement of Research (2 to 3 pages)Contact information for three referencesFor more information or questions, contact:  Amber Smith at amber.smith@stjude.orgSt. Jude is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNo Search FirmsSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.
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Why St. Jude

Consistently ranked Top 10 in the U.S. in Pediatric Cancer, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children, and home to the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project. The St. Jude campus is a truly unique research environment, encompassing state-of-the-art High Performance Computing (HPC) facilities, world-leading oncology basic research, and outstanding Shared Resources and Core Facilities. The $412M Advanced Research Center, opened in 2021, doubles the campus’s research space and adds support for an additional 1,000 employees.