Their Story
Dr. Daniel J. Spakowicz studies the role of the microbiome in cancer. Prior to joining the faculty at OSU, Dr. Spakowicz’s research at Yale examined the microbiome and interactions with the host body.
As he advances in his career, Dr. Spakowicz is merging his training in biophysical, microbiological and computational techniques to focus on data integration algorithms that link treatment response and toxicity to the microbiome, as well as to markers of immune system function and genetics. His special interest is in the changes in the microbiome and immunomodulation associated with cancer treatment, where the observed response is often a mixture of effects on the microbiome and the body hosting it.
Grants Awarded
LCFA/IASLC/BMS Young Investigator Award
About the LCFA-Funded Research
Dr. Spakowicz’s LCFA Funded Project
Dr. Spakowicz’s LCFA Funded research studies the interplay between the microbiome and immuno-oncology (IO) therapy responses, which is an area of high importance as IO therapy becomes more common in the treatment of advanced lung cancer. His overarching aim is to predict overall survival, progression free survival and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in lung cancer patients. Dr. Spakowicz will focus on biomarkers that patients can modify: the microbiome and physical activity levels.
