In this episode of OncoInfluencers, Prof. Gevorg Tamamyan sits down with one of the most influential figures in modern immunology: Professor Jeffrey Bluestone — pioneering scientist, founding CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, co-founder of Sonoma Biotherapeutics, and a mentor to generations of leaders in the field.
Key Highlights:
- Why Jeffrey moved from cancer → transplantation → autoimmunity → cancer immunotherapy—and how immune tolerance connects it all
- His three guiding principles for success: “Kick-ass science. Collaborate like hell. Make a difference.”
- The mentors who shaped him, and how he went on to train over 100 students and postdocs now leading major institutions
- The inside story of founding the Parker Institute with Sean Parker’s bold vision and unconventional model
- Why scientists must learn to tell simple, clear, compelling stories to counter rising anti-science sentiment
- How Sonoma Biotherapeutics is engineering regulatory T cells as ‘living drugs’ for autoimmunity
- Advice to young scientists on resilience, opportunity across academia/biotech, and finding purpose in science