Immunology Program
The Joseph Sun Lab
Research
Joseph Sun, PhD
The immune system responds to viral infections by introducing a complex interplay of immune cells and factors, whose goal is to eliminate the intruding pathogen. One such effector cell in the antiviral response is the Natural Killer (NK) cell, which secretes inflammatory cytokines and directly kills infected cells. The focus of our research is aimed at defining the signals that NK cells require to mount an effective immune response against pathogens. We are also exploring the regulatory mechanisms keeping NK cells in check, thereby safeguarding against potential autoimmunity.
Featured News
Fasting Primes the Immune System’s Natural Killer Cells to Better Fight Cancer, New Study in Mice Finds
Animal model research from MSK has shown for the first time that fasting can reprogram the metabolism of natural killer cells, helping them to survive in the harsh environment in and around tumors, while also improving their cancer-fighting ability.
At Work: Immunologist Joseph Sun
Immunologist Joseph Sun is an investigator in the Sloan Kettering Institute’s Immunology Program. Dr. Sun’s research is focused on natural killer cells, a part of what is called the innate immune system.
Feature
Meet the Unsung Immune Cell that Could Change Immunotherapy
A lesser-known immune cell is suddenly getting more attention in the field of cancer immunology.
People
Joseph Sun, PhD
- Immunologist Joseph Sun investigates the natural killer cell response against infection and cancer.
- PhD, University of Washington
- sunj@mskcc.org
- Email Address
- 646-888-3228
- Office Phone
Members
Administrative Assistant
Research Technician
Research Fellow
Graduate Student
Research Fellow
Graduate Student
Graduate Student
Graduate Student
Research Fellow
Graduate Student
Research Fellow
Research Technician
Member
Clinical Fellow
Research Technician
Graduate Student; Current Position: Healthcare Investor- Counterpoint Global at Morgan Stanley, New York, NY
MD/PhD Student; Current Position: Resident, UCSF
Graduate Student; Current Position: Principal Scientist, Capstan Therapeutics, Hayward, CA
Graduate Student; Current Position: Science Policy Fellowship, National Academy of Sciences
Tri-I MD-PhD Student; Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Graduate Student; Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University, New York, NY
Graduate Student; Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Genentech, San Francisco, CA
Research Fellow; Current Position: Assistant Professor, Rutgers Medical School
Research Fellow; Current Position: Research Scientist, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
Research Fellow; Current Position: Assistant Professor, UCLA
Research Fellow; Current Position: Research Scientist, Roche
Research Fellow; Current Position: Assistant Professor, Technical University of Munich
Research Fellow; Current Position: Assistant Professor, Cornell University
Research Fellow; Current Position: Scientific Consulting
Research Fellow; Current Position: Lecturer, Imperial College London
Research Technician; Current Position: Residency, MD Anderson
Research Technician; Current Position: Graduate Student, U Penn
Research Technician; Current Position: Graduate Student, Yale
Research Technician; Current: Biotech company
Research Technician; Current Position: Graduate Student, Weill Cornell
Research Technician; Current Position: Graduate Student, Duke
Research Technician; Current Position: Graduate Student, Weill Cornell
2012 SURP Student; Current Position: Graduate school, Ohio State University
2019 SURP student; Current Position: MD-PhD student, University of North Carolina
Student Researcher; Current Position: Medical School, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Student Researcher; Current Position: Medical Student, Rutgers Medical School
Student Researcher; Current Position: Medical School, UC Davis
Graduate Student; Current Position: Research Associate - Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Achievements
- Weill Cornell Graduate School Outstanding Teaching & Mentoring Award (2022)
- American Cancer Society Research Scholar (2017)
- Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in Infectious Disease (2016)
- Boyer Young Investigator Award for Basic Research (2015)
- Geoffrey Beene Junior Faculty Chair (2014)
- AAI Pfizer-Showell Early Career Investigator Award (2012)
- Searle Scholar Award (2011)
- Cancer Research Institute Investigator Award (2011)
