Translational Research Office

The Yale Cancer Center Translational Research Office (TRO) is dedicated to building bridges between clinical and basic researchers to accelerate scientific translation. The TRO provides a bidirectional interface from the bench to the bedside and from bedside-to-bench. Our program facilitates mentoring, consultation, workshops, seminars, pilot funding mechanisms, and annual retreats to catalyze and support new projects.

All YCC members have access to TRO services and YCC Shared Resources. YCC members are encouraged to consult with the TRO in developing and launching new translational research.

• 2026: Peter Glazer, MD, PhD and Luisa Escobar-Hoyos, MSc, PhD
• 2025: Rong Fan, PhD
• 2024: Rong Fan, PhD
• 2023: Katerina Politi, PhD
• 2022: Rachel Perry, PhD
• 2021: Faye Rogers, PhD

2025:

• Demetrios Braddock, MD, PhD: Targeting genetically associated obesity
• Craig Crews, PhD: BioLong: Extending serum half-lives of therapeutics
• Seth Herzon, PhD: DNA Self-Activating Warheads (SAWs)
• Richard Kibbey, MD, PhD: Small molecule incretin hormone amplifier for the treatment of obesity and diabetes
• Carrie Lucas, PhD: Resetting the immune system for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• Markus Müschen, MD-PhD: A new class of selective GSK3B-inhibitors for refractory lymphoid malignancies and autoimmunity

2024:

• Craig Crews, PhD: BioLong: Extending serum half-lives of therapeutics.
• Seth Herzon, PhD: DNA Self-Activating Warheads (SAWs).
• Yingqun Huang, MD, PhD: Inflammation & Immunology Breakthrough: Molecular glues for the selective elimination of pathogenic macrophages
• Carrie Lucas, PhD: Resetting the immune system for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
• Markus Müschen, MD, PhD: A new class of selective GSK3B-inhibitors for refractory lymphoid malignancies and autoimmunity.

2023:

• Anton Bennett, PhD: Allagium Therapeutics - Driving change to better health
• Michael Girardi MD, FAAD and Jingjing Ren MD: Immunotherapeutics to Treat T Cell Leukemias and Lymphoma
• Peter Glazer MD, PhD: Enabling the next generation of safe gene editing therapeutics
• Yingqun Huang MD, PhD: Treating cancer-associated cachexia using a first-in-class molecule
• David Spiegel MD, PhD: Transmembrane Anchoring Bifunctional Molecules for Immunotherapy
• Thuy Tran MD, PhD: Bispecific MIF - D-DT Targeting to Enhance Immunotherapy Responses

• Kim RM Blenman PhD: Protection From Treatment Emergent Thyroid Disease
• Thuy Tran MD, PhD: Targeting Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and D-dopachrome Tautomerase to Overcome Immune Resistance in Cancer

The Translational Incubator Steering Committee evaluates novel YCC scientific findings for translational potential. Concepts which are appropriate for translation will be evaluated for scientific rigor, alignment with YCC strategic goals and the needs of our community and catchment area, and prioritized for further support from the TRO. This will include workshopping with the Drug Candidate Review Group, grant writing support, facilitation of interaction with Shared Resources, and assistance with grant submission.