I obtained my medical degree with high honors and completed my specialization in clinical hematology at the University of Turin, Italy. I served as an attending physician at the Hematology and Cell Therapy Division of the Mauriziano Hospital and was an Instructor at the Biotechnology School at the University of Turin.
Beginning in late 2012, I joined the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cellular Immunotherapies as a Post-doctoral Fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Saar Gill and Michael Kalos, later advancing to the role of Instructor. From 2017 to 2018, I served as Associate Director of Dr. Carl H. June’s laboratory.
In 2018, I was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, and also became the Scientific Director of the Lymphoma Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards, including the inaugural SITC EMD Serono Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship (2014), the AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Oncology Fellowship in Clinical Cancer Research (2015), the ASH Scholar Award (2016), an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (2017), the ISNAFF “Paola Campese” Award for Leukemia Research (2017), the Cancer Support Community Award (2018), the ASH Joanne Levy, MD, Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement (2018), the Gilead Sciences Research Scholar in Hematology/Oncology and the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation Award (2020), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Translational Research Program grant (2021), the Alan Steinberg Award (2022), an NIH R01 Research Project Grant and R37 MERIT Award (2022), an NIH P01 Research Program Project Grant (2023), membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2023), and the Penn Inventor of the Year (2024).I serve as the Senior Editor for Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (AACR) and Associate Editor for the Journal of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). Additionally, I am the inaugural Chair of the SITC Cellular Therapy Committee and the immediate past-Chair of the ASH Scientific Committee on Transplantation Biology and Cellular Therapy.
I obtained my medical degree with high honors and completed my specialization in clinical hematology at the University of Turin, Italy. I served as an attending physician at the Hematology and Cell Therapy Division of the Mauriziano Hospital and was an Instructor at the Biotechnology School at the University of Turin.
Beginning in late 2012, I joined the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cellular Immunotherapies as a Post-doctoral Fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Saar Gill and Michael Kalos, later advancing to the role of Instructor. From 2017 to 2018, I served as Associate Director of Dr. Carl H. June’s laboratory.
In 2018, I was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, and also became the Scientific Director of the Lymphoma Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards, including the inaugural SITC EMD Serono Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship (2014), the AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Oncology Fellowship in Clinical Cancer Research (2015), the ASH Scholar Award (2016), an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (2017), the ISNAFF “Paola Campese” Award for Leukemia Research (2017), the Cancer Support Community Award (2018), the ASH Joanne Levy, MD, Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement (2018), the Gilead Sciences Research Scholar in Hematology/Oncology and the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation Award (2020), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Translational Research Program grant (2021), the Alan Steinberg Award (2022), an NIH R01 Research Project Grant and R37 MERIT Award (2022), an NIH P01 Research Program Project Grant (2023), membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2023), and the Penn Inventor of the Year (2024).I serve as the Senior Editor for Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (AACR) and Associate Editor for the Journal of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). Additionally, I am the inaugural Chair of the SITC Cellular Therapy Committee and the immediate past-Chair of the ASH Scientific Committee on Transplantation Biology and Cellular Therapy.
Rewarding Mentoring
I deeply value my involvement in a broad range of teaching activities, including lecturing, advising, and mentoring. I mentor trainees at all levels, including undergraduates, master's students, post-doctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and even high school students during the summer. I maintain an open-door policy, encouraging trainees to seek my advice on experimental design, analysis, and career development. I ensure that each team member has a project aligned with their future goals and support them in becoming more independent. My commitment to teaching is reflected in positive evaluations, and I have participated in several mentoring and admission committees. I am part of the Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP), an undergraduate minority mentoring program, and have hired one of the students as a pre-medical school technician. I am particularly proud to have supported one PhD post-doctoral fellow and one physician-scientist in securing independent research positions at leading universities. From 2020 to 2022, I chaired SITC’s Early Career Scientist (ECS) Committee. Since 2021, I have been the inaugural co-chair of SITC’s Sparkathon Accelerator program, a year-long training program for rising stars in immuno-oncology and mentoring.
Clinical Activity
I treat patients with hematological cancers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on novel immunotherapies. This clinical engagement allows me to connect with patients, gain insight into unmet needs in the clinic, and teach residents and fellows. My passion for clinical work and research is evidenced by positive reviews from residents and fellows.
Entrepreneurship
I serve as a consultant for several companies and sit on the advisory boards of multiple biotech and pharmaceutical firms specializing in cancer immunotherapy. In 2021, I founded viTToria Biotherapeutics, a
startup developing next-generation CAR T-cell immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's first product, VIPER-001, a CD5-deleted anti-CD5 CAR T-cell therapy, is undergoing evaluation in a first-in-human clinical trial for patients with T-cell lymphoma (NCT06420089).
Personal Life
I reside in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a charming town located just west of Philadelphia. Ardmore is known for its vibrant community and rich history. In my leisure time, I enjoy playing soccer with my two sons, repairing toys and various household items, skiing in the Alps, and traveling with my family to visit relatives in Italy.
Rewarding Mentoring
I deeply value my involvement in a broad range of teaching activities, including lecturing, advising, and mentoring. I mentor trainees at all levels, including undergraduates, master's students, post-doctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and even high school students during the summer. I maintain an open-door policy, encouraging trainees to seek my advice on experimental design, analysis, and career development. I ensure that each team member has a project aligned with their future goals and support them in becoming more independent. My commitment to teaching is reflected in positive evaluations, and I have participated in several mentoring and admission committees. I am part of the Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP), an undergraduate minority mentoring program, and have hired one of the students as a pre-medical school technician. I am particularly proud to have supported one PhD post-doctoral fellow and one physician-scientist in securing independent research positions at leading universities. From 2020 to 2022, I chaired SITC’s Early Career Scientist (ECS) Committee. Since 2021, I have been the inaugural co-chair of SITC’s Sparkathon Accelerator program, a year-long training program for rising stars in immuno-oncology and mentoring.
Clinical Activity
I treat patients with hematological cancers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on novel immunotherapies. This clinical engagement allows me to connect with patients, gain insight into unmet needs in the clinic, and teach residents and fellows. My passion for clinical work and research is evidenced by positive reviews from residents and fellows.
Entrepreneurship
I serve as a consultant for several companies and sit on the advisory boards of multiple biotech and pharmaceutical firms specializing in cancer immunotherapy. In 2021, I founded viTToria Biotherapeutics, a
startup developing next-generation CAR T-cell immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's first product, VIPER-001, a CD5-deleted anti-CD5 CAR T-cell therapy, is undergoing evaluation in a first-in-human clinical trial for patients with T-cell lymphoma (NCT06420089).
Personal Life
I reside in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a charming town located just west of Philadelphia. Ardmore is known for its vibrant community and rich history. In my leisure time, I enjoy playing soccer with my two sons, repairing toys and various household items, skiing in the Alps, and traveling with my family to visit relatives in Italy.
I obtained my medical degree with high honors and completed my specialization in clinical hematology at the University of Turin, Italy. I served as an attending physician at the Hematology and Cell Therapy Division of the Mauriziano Hospital and was an Instructor at the Biotechnology School at the University of Turin.
Beginning in late 2012, I joined the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cellular Immunotherapies as a Post-doctoral Fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Saar Gill and Michael Kalos, later advancing to the role of Instructor. From 2017 to 2018, I served as Associate Director of Dr. Carl H. June’s laboratory.
In 2018, I was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, and also became the Scientific Director of the Lymphoma Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards, including the inaugural SITC EMD Serono Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship (2014), the AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Oncology Fellowship in Clinical Cancer Research (2015), the ASH Scholar Award (2016), an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (2017), the ISNAFF “Paola Campese” Award for Leukemia Research (2017), the Cancer Support Community Award (2018), the ASH Joanne Levy, MD, Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement (2018), the Gilead Sciences Research Scholar in Hematology/Oncology and the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation Award (2020), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Translational Research Program grant (2021), the Alan Steinberg Award (2022), an NIH R01 Research Project Grant and R37 MERIT Award (2022), an NIH P01 Research Program Project Grant (2023), membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2023), and the Penn Inventor of the Year (2024).I serve as the Senior Editor for Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (AACR) and Associate Editor for the Journal of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). Additionally, I am the inaugural Chair of the SITC Cellular Therapy Committee and the immediate past-Chair of the ASH Scientific Committee on Transplantation Biology and Cellular Therapy.
I obtained my medical degree with high honors and completed my specialization in clinical hematology at the University of Turin, Italy. I served as an attending physician at the Hematology and Cell Therapy Division of the Mauriziano Hospital and was an Instructor at the Biotechnology School at the University of Turin.
Beginning in late 2012, I joined the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cellular Immunotherapies as a Post-doctoral Fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Saar Gill and Michael Kalos, later advancing to the role of Instructor. From 2017 to 2018, I served as Associate Director of Dr. Carl H. June’s laboratory.
In 2018, I was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, and also became the Scientific Director of the Lymphoma Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards, including the inaugural SITC EMD Serono Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship (2014), the AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Oncology Fellowship in Clinical Cancer Research (2015), the ASH Scholar Award (2016), an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (2017), the ISNAFF “Paola Campese” Award for Leukemia Research (2017), the Cancer Support Community Award (2018), the ASH Joanne Levy, MD, Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement (2018), the Gilead Sciences Research Scholar in Hematology/Oncology and the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation Award (2020), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Translational Research Program grant (2021), the Alan Steinberg Award (2022), an NIH R01 Research Project Grant and R37 MERIT Award (2022), an NIH P01 Research Program Project Grant (2023), membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2023), and the Penn Inventor of the Year (2024).I serve as the Senior Editor for Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (AACR) and Associate Editor for the Journal of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). Additionally, I am the inaugural Chair of the SITC Cellular Therapy Committee and the immediate past-Chair of the ASH Scientific Committee on Transplantation Biology and Cellular Therapy.
Rewarding Mentoring
I deeply value my involvement in a broad range of teaching activities, including lecturing, advising, and mentoring. I mentor trainees at all levels, including undergraduates, master's students, post-doctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and even high school students during the summer. I maintain an open-door policy, encouraging trainees to seek my advice on experimental design, analysis, and career development. I ensure that each team member has a project aligned with their future goals and support them in becoming more independent. My commitment to teaching is reflected in positive evaluations, and I have participated in several mentoring and admission committees. I am part of the Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP), an undergraduate minority mentoring program, and have hired one of the students as a pre-medical school technician. I am particularly proud to have supported one PhD post-doctoral fellow and one physician-scientist in securing independent research positions at leading universities. From 2020 to 2022, I chaired SITC’s Early Career Scientist (ECS) Committee. Since 2021, I have been the inaugural co-chair of SITC’s Sparkathon Accelerator program, a year-long training program for rising stars in immuno-oncology and mentoring.
Clinical Activity
I treat patients with hematological cancers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on novel immunotherapies. This clinical engagement allows me to connect with patients, gain insight into unmet needs in the clinic, and teach residents and fellows. My passion for clinical work and research is evidenced by positive reviews from residents and fellows.
Entrepreneurship
I serve as a consultant for several companies and sit on the advisory boards of multiple biotech and pharmaceutical firms specializing in cancer immunotherapy. In 2021, I founded viTToria Biotherapeutics, a
startup developing next-generation CAR T-cell immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's first product, VIPER-001, a CD5-deleted anti-CD5 CAR T-cell therapy, is undergoing evaluation in a first-in-human clinical trial for patients with T-cell lymphoma (NCT06420089).
Personal Life
I reside in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a charming town located just west of Philadelphia. Ardmore is known for its vibrant community and rich history. In my leisure time, I enjoy playing soccer with my two sons, repairing toys and various household items, skiing in the Alps, and traveling with my family to visit relatives in Italy.
Rewarding Mentoring
I deeply value my involvement in a broad range of teaching activities, including lecturing, advising, and mentoring. I mentor trainees at all levels, including undergraduates, master's students, post-doctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and even high school students during the summer. I maintain an open-door policy, encouraging trainees to seek my advice on experimental design, analysis, and career development. I ensure that each team member has a project aligned with their future goals and support them in becoming more independent. My commitment to teaching is reflected in positive evaluations, and I have participated in several mentoring and admission committees. I am part of the Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP), an undergraduate minority mentoring program, and have hired one of the students as a pre-medical school technician. I am particularly proud to have supported one PhD post-doctoral fellow and one physician-scientist in securing independent research positions at leading universities. From 2020 to 2022, I chaired SITC’s Early Career Scientist (ECS) Committee. Since 2021, I have been the inaugural co-chair of SITC’s Sparkathon Accelerator program, a year-long training program for rising stars in immuno-oncology and mentoring.
Clinical Activity
I treat patients with hematological cancers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on novel immunotherapies. This clinical engagement allows me to connect with patients, gain insight into unmet needs in the clinic, and teach residents and fellows. My passion for clinical work and research is evidenced by positive reviews from residents and fellows.
Entrepreneurship
I serve as a consultant for several companies and sit on the advisory boards of multiple biotech and pharmaceutical firms specializing in cancer immunotherapy. In 2021, I founded viTToria Biotherapeutics, a
startup developing next-generation CAR T-cell immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's first product, VIPER-001, a CD5-deleted anti-CD5 CAR T-cell therapy, is undergoing evaluation in a first-in-human clinical trial for patients with T-cell lymphoma (NCT06420089).
Personal Life
I reside in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a charming town located just west of Philadelphia. Ardmore is known for its vibrant community and rich history. In my leisure time, I enjoy playing soccer with my two sons, repairing toys and various household items, skiing in the Alps, and traveling with my family to visit relatives in Italy.
I obtained my medical degree with high honors and completed my specialization in clinical hematology at the University of Turin, Italy. I served as an attending physician at the Hematology and Cell Therapy Division of the Mauriziano Hospital and was an Instructor at the Biotechnology School at the University of Turin.
Beginning in late 2012, I joined the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cellular Immunotherapies as a Post-doctoral Fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Saar Gill and Michael Kalos, later advancing to the role of Instructor. From 2017 to 2018, I served as Associate Director of Dr. Carl H. June’s laboratory.
In 2018, I was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, and also became the Scientific Director of the Lymphoma Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards, including the inaugural SITC EMD Serono Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship (2014), the AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Oncology Fellowship in Clinical Cancer Research (2015), the ASH Scholar Award (2016), an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (2017), the ISNAFF “Paola Campese” Award for Leukemia Research (2017), the Cancer Support Community Award (2018), the ASH Joanne Levy, MD, Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement (2018), the Gilead Sciences Research Scholar in Hematology/Oncology and the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation Award (2020), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Translational Research Program grant (2021), the Alan Steinberg Award (2022), an NIH R01 Research Project Grant and R37 MERIT Award (2022), an NIH P01 Research Program Project Grant (2023), membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (2023), and the Penn Inventor of the Year (2024).I serve as the Senior Editor for Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (AACR) and Associate Editor for the Journal of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). Additionally, I am the inaugural Chair of the SITC Cellular Therapy Committee and the immediate past-Chair of the ASH Scientific Committee on Transplantation Biology and Cellular Therapy.
Rewarding Mentoring
I deeply value my involvement in a broad range of teaching activities, including lecturing, advising, and mentoring. I mentor trainees at all levels, including undergraduates, master's students, post-doctoral fellows, clinical fellows, and even high school students during the summer. I maintain an open-door policy, encouraging trainees to seek my advice on experimental design, analysis, and career development. I ensure that each team member has a project aligned with their future goals and support them in becoming more independent. My commitment to teaching is reflected in positive evaluations, and I have participated in several mentoring and admission committees. I am part of the Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP), an undergraduate minority mentoring program, and have hired one of the students as a pre-medical school technician. I am particularly proud to have supported one PhD post-doctoral fellow and one physician-scientist in securing independent research positions at leading universities. From 2020 to 2022, I chaired SITC’s Early Career Scientist (ECS) Committee. Since 2021, I have been the inaugural co-chair of SITC’s Sparkathon Accelerator program, a year-long training program for rising stars in immuno-oncology and mentoring.
Clinical Activity
I treat patients with hematological cancers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on novel immunotherapies. This clinical engagement allows me to connect with patients, gain insight into unmet needs in the clinic, and teach residents and fellows. My passion for clinical work and research is evidenced by positive reviews from residents and fellows.
Entrepreneurship
I serve as a consultant for several companies and sit on the advisory boards of multiple biotech and pharmaceutical firms specializing in cancer immunotherapy. In 2021, I founded viTToria Biotherapeutics, a
startup developing next-generation CAR T-cell immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's first product, VIPER-001, a CD5-deleted anti-CD5 CAR T-cell therapy, is undergoing evaluation in a first-in-human clinical trial for patients with T-cell lymphoma (NCT06420089).
Personal Life
I reside in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a charming town located just west of Philadelphia. Ardmore is known for its vibrant community and rich history. In my leisure time, I enjoy playing soccer with my two sons, repairing toys and various household items, skiing in the Alps, and traveling with my family to visit relatives in Italy.
Perelman Center for Advance Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
South Tower, 8th Floor, Bay 321
Philadelphia, PA 19104
© The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
Perelman Center for Advance Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
South Tower, 8th Floor, Bay 321
Philadelphia, PA 19104
© The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
Perelman Center for Advance Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
South Tower, 8th Floor, Bay 321
Philadelphia, PA 19104
© The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania