Leonel Torres
Philadelphia
Summary
Dynamic Immuno-Oncology research professional with extensive expertise in multi-parameter spectral flow cytometry, CRISPR technologies, multi-omic sequencing, and assay development. Proven track record of leading teams and analyzing large datasets to drive significant advancements in immunological studies. Committed to enhancing cancer immunotherapies and immune cell therapies for improved patient outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Thesis Research
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
06.2021 - Current
Center for Cellular Immunotherapies/ Institute for Immunology & Immune Health
Mentors: Saar Gill and John Wherry
- Applied CRISPR methods to investigate pathways leading to human CD8 T cell exhaustion.
- Leveraged single-cell multiomic sequencing to enhance comprehension of T cell exhaustion.
- Employed cross-species immunological approaches to uncover potential cancer treatment targets.
- Trained new people in the lab with common SOPs
- Provided mentorship to lab technician and undergraduate student.
Clinical Research Coordinator
UCSF
06.2020 - 06.2021
Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases & Global Medicine, Dr. Steve Deeks's clinical research
- Managed projects between HIV-1 and COVID-19 clinical research studies.
- Recruited participants diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1.
- Facilitated communication between Spanish speakers and providers.
- Recorded intricate medical data in RedCap and EPIC.
- Prepared informed consent forms for review by ethics committees.
Lab Manager/Research Associate
UCSF
05.2019 - 06.2021
Division of Experimental Medicine, Dr. Tim Henrich Lab
- Specialized in innovative techniques including immunomodulation, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplantation for HIV-1 cure.
- Transitioned from HIV-1 research to COVID-19-centered investigations.
- Handled lab management tasks including accounts, supplies, scheduling, inventory and meeting coordination.
- Trained new hires on SOPs
Research Associate
Dorian Therapeutics Inc.
San Carlos
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Focused on blocking senescence at the cellular level to improve CAR T cell therapies
- Gained experience in a dynamic biotech startup.
- Developed knowledge on multiple dimensions of company organization.
Intern in Research and Early Development
Genentech
South San Francisco
05.2018 - 08.2018
Department of Cancer Immunology, Dr. Lélia Delamarre Lab
- Cultured T cells and dendritic cells to investigate mechanisms underlying mRNA personalized cancer vaccines.
- Collaborated on projects with multidisciplinary teams and campus labs.
- Engaged with organizational and leadership tasks at a large biotech firm.
Undergraduate Student Researcher
UCSC
10.2015 - 05.2018
Department of Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology, Dr. Doug Kellogg Lab
- Focused on cell size and growth research
- Investigated requirements for growth in G1 phase of cell cycle, and how growth affects key cell cycle regulators
Education
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA03-2018
Ph.D. - Immunology
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PASkills
- Assay Development in Cell Therapy
- Proficient in Multi-Parameter Spectral Flow Cytometry
- Multiomic Single-cell Library Preparation
- Multiomic Single-cell Data Analysis
- Proficient in R
- Large Dataset Management
- Functional CRISPR-Based Screening
- CRISPR technologies
- Humanized and Immune Competent Mouse Model
- Effective Team Leadership
Select Publications
- Bhagwat AS, Torres L, et al., Cytokine-mediated CAR T therapy resistance in AML. Nat Med. 2024
- Baxter AE, et al., The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes BAF and PBAF differentially regulate epigenetic transitions in exhausted CD8+ T cells., Immunity. 2023
- Beckford-Vera DR, et al., First-in-human immunoPET imaging of HIV-1 infection using 89Zr-labeled VRC01 broadly neutralizing antibody., Nat Commun. 2022
- Peluso MJ, Deitchman AN, Torres L, et al., Long-term SARS-CoV-2-specific immune and inflammatory responses in individuals recovering from COVID-19 with and without post-acute symptoms., Cell Rep. 2021
- R Ahmed, et al., Tunable fano-resonant metasurfaces on a disposable plastic-template for multimodal and multiplex biosensing., Advanced Materials. 2020
References
- Saar I Gill, MBBS, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology-Oncology) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- E. John Wherry, PhD, Richard and Barbara Schiffrin President's Distinguished Professor
- Timothy Henrich, MD, Professor of Medicine at UCSF School of Medicine
Timeline
Graduate Thesis Research
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
06.2021 - Current
Clinical Research Coordinator
UCSF
06.2020 - 06.2021
Lab Manager/Research Associate
UCSF
05.2019 - 06.2021
Research Associate
Dorian Therapeutics Inc.
01.2019 - 05.2019
Intern in Research and Early Development
Genentech
05.2018 - 08.2018
Undergraduate Student Researcher
UCSC
10.2015 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Ph.D. - Immunology
University of Pennsylvania
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