Mentor: George Weiner, MD

Thesis:

Virus-Like Particles Containing a TLR9 Agonist Enhance the Anti-Tumor T Cell Response

My Research

My research focuses on how in situ immunization with a virus-like particle called “Vidutolimod” leads to an enhanced and prolonged anti-cancer T cell immune response. My research aims to understand how repeated treatment with Vidutolimod leads to altered activation and the development of T cell exhaustion. 

Comprehensive Exam:

Determining the effects of Vidutolimod on the anti-tumor T cell response

Publication:

Fischer TD, Lemke-Miltner CD, Weiner GJ (ERT). Intratumoral Virus-Like Particles Containing a TLR9 Agonist Combined with Systemic αPD-1 Activate Tumor-Specific CD8+ T Cells. Cancer Res Commun. 2026 MAY 01; 6(5):1006-1019. DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-26-0175. PubMed PMID: 41960903; PMCID: PMC13133427.

Presentations:

• 2025 Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Retreat. (poster)
• 2024 SITC Annual Conference (poster)
• 2024 Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Retreat. "Determining the effects of Vidutolimod on the anti-tumor T cell response." (poster)
• 2023 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) conference: "Vidutolimod, an immunostimulatory virus-like particle, reduces proliferation but enhances the activation of tumor-specific T cells" (poster).
• 2023 AACR Special Conference for Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: "Vidutolimod, an immunostimulatory virus-like particle, reduces proliferation but enhances the activation of tumor-specific T cells" (poster)

• 2023 Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Annual Retreat. "Determining the effects of Vidutolimod on the anti-tumor T cell response." (poster)

   

Awards:

2021 Dean's Award for Biomedical Graduate Studies

Showcased in 2025 University of Iowa Dare to Discover campaign 

2026 Ballard & Seashore Dissertation Fellowship

Service:

• Advocate, American Association for Cancer Research Early-Career Hill Day, February 25-26, 2025, Washington, DC
• Advocate, American Association for Cancer Research Early-Career Hill Day, February 26-27, 2024, Washington, DC
• Member, Undergraduate Outreach Committee for Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
• Organizer, Networking Program for URG Undergraduates in STEM 2024, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
• HCCC-OCCET Career Enhancement Advisory Committee, University of Iowa
• Senator, Graduate Student Senate, University of Iowa
• Delegate, Graduate and Professional Student Government, University of Iowa
• Member, Parking and Transportation Committee, University of Iowa
• Peer Advisory Leader (PAL), Biomedical Science Program, University of Iowa
• Member, Social Committee, Cancer Biology Program, University of Iowa
• Member, Invited Speaker Committee, Cancer Biology Program