Dr. Joon Park

Biography

Dr. Joon Seok Park is an Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on understanding how commensal microbes residing in the intestine influence systemic immunity, with a particular emphasis on cancer immunity. Recent studies from Dr. Park's laboratory indicate that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in modulating responses to cancer immunotherapy. The lab is especially interested in the signaling and metabolic mechanisms that facilitate long-range communication between gut microbes, the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment (TME). By employing gnotobiotic mouse models and strong fundamentals of immunology, Dr. Park's group aims to uncover how commensal microbes and their metabolites can modulate anti-tumor immunity in the context of cancer treatment. His lab is actively exploring gut microbes that regulate key immune components of the TME and is working on developing novel microbial-based therapies to enhance cancer treatment outcomes. Dr. Park holds a Ph.D. in Immunology from Cornell University and has completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard Medical School, further strengthening his expertise in the field.

Research Interests

Experience