Joanna Stanson, MS

Director of Operations
Translational Immuno-Oncology Shared Resource
Department of Translational Immuno-Oncology

Specializing In:

  • Cell therapy manufacturing of dendritic cell (DC), CAR-T cell, and CAR-NK for phase I and II clinical trials
  • Research and clinical-grade manufacturing of retrovirus and lentivirus vectors
  • Therapeutic platform process development and process improvement
  • Quality Assurance (QA)

Research Interests:

  • Cellular therapy research and innovation

Biography

Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, with emphasis on the development of anticancer vaccines, have been the focus since joining the research laboratory of Dr. Theresa Whiteside in 19987. The early experience in the molecular biology laboratory of Dr. Carol Dahl gave me insight into the basic and clinical research world and ultimately solidified my career goal to work in the field of clinical research. Working at the Cellular Products and Gene Therapy Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute has prepared me for a career in a clinical-stage biotechnology company. 

During my tenure at Bellicum Pharmaceutical, I develop the manufacturing platform for the company's cutting-edge cell therapy CAR-T product candidates and managed the GMP scale-up and technology transfer to multiple large Contract Manufacturing Organizations in the US and Europe. As the Director of Contract Manufacturing relation, I have gained a deep understanding of the strategic and daily operation of the GMP facility, assay development, and its movement from the research lab to the quality analytical units. 

My training and research experience have prepared me for overseeing the manufacturing of new clinical products at Roswell Park. I have the experience, expertise, leadership ability, and motivation necessary to manage the GMP manufacturing facility at the Translational Immuno-Oncology Shared Resource in the Division of Translational Immuno-Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Positions

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • Director of Operations
    Translational Immuno-Oncology Shared Resource
  • Department of Translational Immuno-Oncology

Background

Education and Training

  • 1998 - MS - Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA
  • 1985 - BS - Molecular Biology, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
  • 2004 - Certificate in Clinical Flow Cytometry, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA
  • 2002 - Certificate in Business Essentials for Bioscientists, Katz Graduate School of Business University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Professional Memberships

  • International Society of Cell & Gene Therapy

Professional Experience

  • 2021–present - Director of Operations, Translational Immuno-Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
  • 2020–2021 - Consultant, Gene and Cell Therapy, Houston, TX
  • 2019–2020 - Director, Process Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Houston, TX
  • 2018–2020 - Director, Contract Manufacturing Relations, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Houston, TX
  • 2016–2018 - Associate Director, Manufacturing, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Houston, TX
  • 2015–2016 - Associate Director, Process Development, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Houston, TX
  • 2014–2015 - Manufacturing Manager, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Houston, TX
  • 2012–2015 - Development Scientist, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Houston, TX
  • 2006–2011 - Research Scientist, Cellular Products Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
  • 2006–2011 - Senior Coordinator, Immunologic Monitoring & Cellular Products Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
  • 2000–2006 - Research Specialist, Immunologic Monitoring & Cellular Products Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1995–2000 - Research Associate, Immunologic Monitoring & Cellular Products Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1987–1995 - Research Associate, Immunologic Monitoring and Diagnostic Library, Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

Publications

  Full Publications list on PubMed

1. Whiteside TL, Griffin DL, Stanson J, Gooding W, McKenna D, Sumstad D, Kadidlo D, Gee A, Durett A, Lindblad R, Wood D, Styers D. Shipping of therapeutic somatic cell products. Cytotherapy. 2011 Feb;13(2):201-13. doi: 10.3109/14653249.2010.506507. Epub 2010 Aug 26. PubMed PMID: 20795760; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7982143.
2. Whiteside TL, Piazza P, Reiter A, Stanson J, Connolly NC, Rinaldo CR Jr, Riddler SA. Production of a dendritic cell-based vaccine containing inactivated autologous virus for therapy of patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2009 Feb;16(2):233-40. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00066-08. Epub 2008 Nov 26. PubMed PMID: 19038780; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2643533.
3. Artusio E, Hathaway B, Stanson J, Whiteside TL. Transfection of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells with native tumor DNA induces antigen-specific T-cell responses in vitro. Cancer Biol Ther. 2006 Dec;5(12):1624-31. doi: 10.4161/cbt.5.12.3353. Epub 2006 Dec 5. PubMed PMID: 17172816.
4. Whiteside TL, Gambotto A, Albers A, Stanson J, Cohen EP. Human tumor-derived genomic DNA transduced into a recipient cell induces tumor-specific immune responses ex vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Jul 9;99(14):9415-20. doi: 10.1073/pnas.142302399. Epub 2002 Jun 21. PubMed PMID: 12080146; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC123155.
5. Taylor DD, Bender DP, Gerçel-Taylor C, Stanson J, Whiteside TL. Modulation of TcR/CD3-zeta chain expression by a circulating factor derived from ovarian cancer patients. Br J Cancer. 2001 Jun 15;84(12):1624-9. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2001.1847. PubMed PMID: 11401315; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2363678.