Amir Horowitz, PhD

My work has contributed to developing an understanding of adaptive NK cells and their roles in microbial infections and following vaccination and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). I was the first person to demonstrate adaptive roles for NK cells in vaccine settings as a strategy to potentiate T cell memory. I also pioneered the first studies of human NK cells by mass cytometry (CyTOF) and demonstrated an enormous breadth of phenotypic diversity and functions associated with specific HLA class I and KIR backgrounds. This research has led to the identification and characterization of numerous NK cell subset populations with unique activity and antiviral (and anti-tumor) potential. In summary, based on my record of successful and highly innovative research projects in areas of immunogenetics and the use of CyTOF, next generation sequencing and computational analytics, I am prepared to study how HLA class I mediated education of NK cells and tumor-derived mutations affecting HLA class I expression and antigen presentation determines sensitivity to tumor cells, immunosuppressive elements produced within the tumor microenvironment and the capacity to potentiate antitumor CD8 T cell activity in response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Research Lab: http://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/horowitzlab/