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Hongbo Chi Has Been Appointed as Chair of the Department of Immunology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital/LinkedIn

May 9, 2025, 16:33

Hongbo Chi Has Been Appointed as Chair of the Department of Immunology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital shared a post on LinkedIn:

“We are pleased to announce that Hongbo Chi, PhD, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Immunology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Chi has been an integral part of St. Jude since 2007, holding the Robert G. Webster Endowed Chair in Immunology and serving as Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology and Associate Director for Basic Research in the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“A true innovator in the fields of immunology and immunometabolism, Hongbo’s work is already helping us find cures and save children with catastrophic diseases around the world,” said James R. Downing, M.D., president and CEO of St. Jude. “I look forward to seeing how the Department of Immunology continues to grow and make new discoveries under his leadership.”

Chi’s groundbreaking research has transformed our understanding of immunology and immunometabolism. Chi is a pioneer in the field of metabolic reprogramming, shedding light on how these processes influence immune cell development. His work has increased understanding of how mTOR and nutrient signaling pathways impact immune function. Chi is also a leader in systems biology and functional genomics, applying these leading-edge approaches to his immunology work.

Recently, Chi and his team have leveraged innovative tools such as CRISPR screening and single-cell analysis to learn more about the metabolic pathways that influence T cell development.

“We’re aiming to fill the knowledge gap between cell biology and disease of the immune system by advancing tissue and organismal immunity, and will leverage recent groundbreaking technologies to drive new discoveries,” Chi said. “Overall, we will continue to innovate with the goal of building a world-class immunology department that will contribute to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

His contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Dr. William E. Paul Distinguished Innovator Award from the Lupus Research Alliance, an NIAID R37 MERIT Award and NCI R35 Outstanding Investigator Award. His election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science further underscores his impact on the field.

Chi’s leadership, strategic vision and trailblazing research will propel the Department of Immunology forward, driving progress toward our mission to develop therapies and cures for pediatric catastrophic diseases.”

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