Eric Tran, PhD

Eric Tran, PhDAssociate member, Adoptive Cell Therapy Laboratory
Earle A. Chiles Research Institute
Providence Cancer Institute

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Dr. Tran is an experienced research scientist with a lifelong goal of developing new and more effective T-cell-based immunotherapies for patients with cancer. Currently, he leads the Adoptive Cell Therapy Laboratory at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, a Providence Center of Excellence for immuno-oncology and cellular therapy.

Dr. Tran trained at the National Cancer Institute through the National Institute of Health with Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg, a pioneer in the field of immunotherapy. He has extensive experience in translational and clinical adoptive T-cell therapy against cancer and in evaluating the T-cell response against tumor neoantigens.

Adoptive Cell Therapy Lab

The Adoptive Cell Therapy Lab is the first research lab in Oregon dedicated to adoptive cellular therapy for patients with epithelial cancers and other malignancies. Its goal is to develop more effective T cell based immunotherapies designed to treat patients with cancers of the pancreas, colon, bile duct, and other solid cancers derived from epithelial tissue. Adoptive cellular therapy is a highly personalized cancer therapy that enhances a patient’s cancer-fighting T cells in the lab. T cells are then returned to the patient in greater numbers and potency.

Dr. Tran and his patient Kathy Wilkes were featured at Creating Hope 2022, an event of hope and positivity in support of research at Providence Cancer Institute. Watch videos from the event to learn how Dr. Tran is pioneering a second-generation adoptive cell therapy using gene-engineered T cells for patients with incurable cancers like Kathy. 

  • Creating Hope 2022: Dr. Walter Urba and Dr. Eric Tran discuss adoptive cell therapy
  • Creating Hope 2022 - Kathy Wilkes' story
Education
  • Postdoctoral fellow, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2016 
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Biochemistry, University of Victoria, 2010
  • Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, University of Victoria, 2004
Professional Experience
  • Assistant member, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, 2017-present
  • Research fellow, Surgery Branch, NIH, 2015-2016
  • Postdoctoral fellow, Surgery Branch, NIH, 2010-2015
Memberships
  • Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC)
Awards
  • SITC Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Scholars Award, 2020
  • Kimmel Scholar Award, 2017
  • Federal Technology Transfer Award, 2015
  • Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellows and Young Investigators Colloquium, 2015
  • SITC Abstract Travel Award, 2014
  • Best Poster Award, Canadian Cancer Immune Therapy Symposium, 2012
  • Post Graduate Scholarship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), 2008-2010
  • Dr. Julius F. Schleicher Graduate Scholarship, University of Victoria, 2008
  • Best Poster Award, Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research, 2008
  • Deeley Research Award, 2007
  • Health Research Scholarship, University of Victoria, 2007-2008
  • People’s Choice Poster Presentation Award, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology Annual Poster Symposium, University of Victoria, 2006
  • NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship, 2005-2006
  • President’s Research Scholarship, University of Victoria, 2005-2006
  • Up-and-Comer Scientist Award, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 2005
  • Graduate Student Fellowship, University of Victoria, 2004-2005

Dr. Tran’s research is published in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals. He has partnered with colleagues on various research projects.  

View Dr. Tran's full list of peer-reviewed publications