Dr. Sophie Paczesny Named Chair of Microbiology and Immunology at MUSC College of Medicine
Sophie Paczesny, M.D., Ph.D., has been named chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Medicine. In addition, she will co-lead...
Sophie Paczesny, M.D., Ph.D., has been named chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Medicine. In addition, she will co-lead the Cancer Immunology program at MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center. Paczesny formerly held joint appointments in pediatrics and basic science—microbiology and immunology—at Indiana University School of Medicine.
Looking forward to joining the Hollings’ team, Paczesny said she’s excited that Hollings has a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, facilitating the development of novel cellular therapies. “Cancer immunotherapy is making headlines and generating excitement among biomedical researchers, clinicians, patients and their families and research advocates,” Paczesny said. “I have been impressed by Hollings Cancer Center’s great science and collaborative spirit.”
Paczesny said she wants to continue to build a strong tumor immunology program at Hollings and develop immune cell engineering and new cellular therapy trials in collaboration with her clinical colleagues. She believes the COVID-19 pandemic challenge will help medical professionals better understand immunological responses to the virus and possibly lead to new treatments for cancer patients.
Paczesny received her doctorate and medical degree from Paris University in France, where she completed her residency and fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation. She is a member and counselor for the American Society for Clinical Investigation, co-chairperson for both the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant immunobiology working group and the American Society of Hematology task force on immunotherapies.
WittKieffer’s Joyce De Leo, Ph.D. and Lyndsey Nicodem led this search.