Harari Lab members

Laboratory Scientist CONTACT ME

Research interest

Development and execution of immunological assays enabling the identification and characterization of tumor- and antigen-specific T cells and their cognate TCRs.

Background

After obtaining my technician degree, I joined in 2009 the Service of Immunology and Allergy of the CHUV where I worked for nearly 5 years on the immune-monitoring of HIV vaccine clinical trials. I later joined the Department of Oncology of the CHUV in 2014 where I have been involved in the immune-monitoring of several translational studies (T-cell therapies) and in various research projects in the immuno-oncology field.

Technician CONTACT ME

Research interest

I am involved in developing a high-throughput platform to interrogate patients' immunity against private antigens and to identify highly functional T cells (and TCRs) for adoptive cell therapy (ACT). I also take part in the analysis of the immunological status and immune responses of patients enrolled in clinical studies.

 Background

I graduated from the HES-SO Valais where I obtained my Master’s in Life Sciences - Applied Biosciences. During my studies and especially during my master’s thesis, I constructed and analyzed the expression of CAR molecules intended for use in ACT. I am currently working as a biomedical analysis technician within the Hi-TIDe.

Research associate CONTACT ME

Research interest

Since joining the Hi-TIDe in 2013, I develop new molecular tools to analyze and characterize TCR.

Background

After a PhD in Molecular Biology at University of Lausanne in 2005, I moved to the CMU in Geneva to study the impact of rapamcyn on translation of oncogenes. In 2008, I joined the the Department of oncology UNIL CHUV in the laboratory of Pr Immanuel Luescher where I started to study CD8 T-cells and their receptor (TCR).

Postdoctoral researcher CONTACT ME

Research interest

My current research focuses on understanding the natural T-cell response to tumors in cancer patients. This includes addressing fundamental questions such as, “What do tumor-reactive T cells recognize?” and expanding into more translational aspects: “Which antigens are optimal for T-cell-based therapies that effectively control tumor growth and ensure long-lasting responses?” and “How can we efficiently identify T cells or their T-cell receptors that target these ideal antigens to combat cancer?” "I believe that answering all these questions will help pave the way toward eventually winning the battle against cancer.

Background

I completed my Ph.D. in Immunology in October 2022 within the Tumor Immunology Group at the Vall d'Hebrón Institute of Oncology (VHIO) in Barcelona, under the mentorship of Dr. Alena Gros. My doctoral research primarily focused on investigating the role and significance of non-canonical antigens in cancer patients.

Technician CONTACT ME

Research interest

As a technician within the Hi-TIDe, I closely interact with different scientists, analyse and discuss data aiming at the development of new assays with a special focus on TCR cloning.

Background

After obtaining my Master’s in Biochemistry at the University of Geneva in 1994, I worked for Glaxo and Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute in the Chemokines and Functional Genomics fields where I acquired a variety of techniques in molecular and cellular biology. In 2007, after the acquisition of Serono by MERCK, I worked as Technology expert on antibody humanisation, optimisation and characterisation. Since joining the Department of oncology UNIL CHUV in 2013, I performed, validated and implemented cellular and molecular assays to interrogate T cells from clinical samples for research and in the context of clinical trials (immunological monitoring).

PhD student CONTACT ME

Research interest

I am interested in molecular biology, data sciences and the intersection between them to address relevant questions in cancer biology. I am currently doing my PhD, under the direction of Dr Alexandre Harari, focussed on analyzing clinical data to better understand the dynamics of T cell populations in tumors by developing new computational tools and data-driven models.

Background

In 2020, I graduated in Life Sciences and Technology, with a minor in biocomputing, from EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Within this programme, I developed a deep understanding of genomics, oncology and computer sciences. I went on to gain experience in single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis and developing statistical models during my master’s thesis at the University of Lausanne’s Department of computation biology and during an internship at Metadvice.

Senior technician CONTACT ME

Research interest

I joined the Hi-TIDe in 2020 to follow up with performing research projects in tumor immunology and participate to the development of new immunological assays. I contribute to the identification of tumor- and antigen-specific TCRs and at the automation of different screening approaches.

Technician CONTACT ME

Research interest

In 2020, I joined the Department of oncology UNIL CHUV where I experienced in bulk TCR sequencing and HLA typing within the Hi-TIDe. My main current interest concerns the execution and amelioration of innovative techniques (i.e. single cell RNA sequencing; TCR cloning and tests) in immuno-oncology with future clinical applications.

Background

In 2000, after obtaining my “Brevet de Technicien Supérieur” in Biochemistry from Amiens (France), and a degree in cell and tissue culture from animal and plant origin at Dijon (Frace), I started to work as a technician for different biotechnology companies. First in an upstream small-scale bioreactor unit, and later in a cell line development unit. This position involved the design and realization of cell & molecular biology experiments to generate high-producing cellular clone with high quality of protein of interest.