Center for Clinical and Translational Science

On June 3, 2025, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science celebrated the graduation of seven Clinical Scholars with a dinner celebration in the Kellen BioLink. The celebration is the highlight of the year, and it was a wonderfully warm and inspiring event, with many friends and family members of the graduates attending and sharing the festivities. Mentors spoke about their Scholars and Scholars shared their experiences in the program. Dr. Sarah Schlesinger, Director of the Clinical Scholars program, welcomed the participants with inspiring words about the Scholars’ achievements and the pride that the entire CCTS leadership has in the Scholars. Dr. Barry Coller, Co--Director of the program, concluded the festivities by congratulating the Scholars and their families.

Dr. Tamar  Berger used oral brush samples to detect cancer-related mutations in Fanconi Anemia (FA) patients’ normal-looking mucosa, changes not seen in healthy controls. She is expanding her study to other high-risk groups and is planning a clinical prevention trial at Rockefeller.  She is also profiling FA tumors to explore immune-based therapies. Dr. Berger will continue this research in the Smogorzewska Lab, leading a clinical trial on cancer prevention.

Dr. Xiaojing Huang identified 10 serum proteins that may predict immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response in advanced sarcoma patients, using proteomic analysis from a clinical trial. Dr. Huang will join the University of Minnesota as Assistant Professor.

 

Dr. Matthew Kudelka is studying whether checkpoint inhibitors induce anti-glycan antibodies, which could help predict treatment response or toxicity. He’s analyzing blood from treated patients and healthy volunteers to identify relevant antibody signatures. Dr. Kudelka will continue this research as Instructor in Clinical Investigation in the Fuchs Lab.

Dr. Ryan Notti is studying inherited T-cell receptor gene variation, using structural, genomic, and functional approaches to understand its role in immunity and disease. Dr. Notti will be a Clinical Instructor at Memorial Sloan Ketting Cancer Center and Instructor in Clinical Investigation in the Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy.

Dr. Amihai Rottenstreich investigated why aspirin fails to prevent preeclampsia in ~30% of high-risk women, especially African Americans. He links this to a genetic variant in the platelet thrombin PAR4 receptor affecting platelet reactivity and proposes low-molecular weight heparin as a potential adjunct therapy. Dr. Rottenstreich is now the Head of Maternal & Fetal Hematology Service at the Wolfson Medical Center in Israel.

Dr. Leon Seifert developed a novel mouse model with human liver cells to study intra-individual HBV diversity, a previously underexplored aspect of infection. Dr. Seifert will continue his research as a Instructor in Clinical Investigation in the Rice Lab.

 

Dr. Zijun Vinic Wang characterized HBV-specific T and B cells in patients with chronic, resolved, or self-limited infection, identifying immune signatures that may guide immunotherapy and staging of HBV. Dr. Wang will be Vice Chair of the Dermatology Department at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital.