Jeffrey Rathmell, PhD, founding director of the Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology and a pioneer in immune and cancer cell metabolism research, this summer will begin a new chapter in his career at the University of Chicago.
University officials announced March 3 that Rathmell has been named chair of the Ben May Department for Cancer Research and director of the Ludwig Center at the University of Chicago, effective July 1.
Rathmell currently holds the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Immunobiology and is professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, and of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“Dr. Rathmell’s impact on immunology and cancer metabolism research at Vanderbilt has been remarkable,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD, Chief Scientific and Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President for Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“His leadership in building an immunology community, advancing translational research and mentoring the next generation of scientists has left a legacy,” said Pietenpol, who holds the Brock Family Directorship in Career Development. “While we will greatly miss his leadership at Vanderbilt, we know his impact will expand in these prestigious roles at the University of Chicago and the Ludwig Center.”
The Ludwig Center at the University of Chicago, one of six Ludwig Centers nationwide, is focused on finding ways to stop the spread of cancer.
Rathmell earned his PhD in immunology from Stanford University, did postdoctoral work in immunology and cancer biology at the University of Chicago and University of Pennsylvania, and was on the faculty at Duke University before coming to Vanderbilt in 2015.
As director of the Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, he has led growth in basic science and translational immunology at Vanderbilt, with an emphasis on the research of immune-related diseases and building an immunology community.
A co-leader of the Host-Tumor Interactions Program in the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Rathmell helped define the metabolic mechanisms that control inflammatory diseases and cancer.
He also led initiatives, as associate director of the Molecular Pathology and Immunology PhD Program and of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, to strengthen basic science immunology education and position Vanderbilt as a leader in immunology research.
Rathmell said he is looking forward to working in collaboration with the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center to advance understanding of the tumor microenvironment and the role that immunity plays in cancer growth and response to therapy.
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