Our Team
Tyler Curiel MD, MPH
tyler.j.curiel@dartmouth.edu
Our initial work in human immunology focused on anti-pathogen immunity that helped to develop important research techniques and collaborations that supported current endeavors.
Our early work at Tulane focused on dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), helping launch detailed studies by many investigators on tumor microenvironmental cells.
Studies extended to include tumor microenvironmental regulatory T cells (Tregs) which spawned many additional studies of their microenvironmental effects in cancer, among our most important contributions to date. The current focus is understanding immune dysregulation in cancer as a means to understand cancer immunopathogenesis and develop novel cancer immunotherapies.
Immunopathogenic pathway studies now also include immune co-signaling. We also study age effects on immunity and immunotherapy, and immunopathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Discoveries are put into clinical trials for testing. The group has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1987.
Jordan Wentworth, BS Lab Manager
jordan.wentworth@dartmouth.edu
I am the Lab Manager for the Curiel Lab. I am originally from the Upper Valley. Before joining the lab, I was a Laboratory Technician for DartLab – Immunoassays & Flow Cytometry. In undergrad I majored in Biochemistry and earned my degree from Merrimack College. I handle administrative tasks and work to address general lab needs including ordering and tracking lab expenses. In my spare time you can catch me camping, hanging out with my friends, or finding the next best thing to binge watch!
Carlos Ontiveros MD/PhD Candidate
carlos.o.ontiveros.gr@dartmouth.edu
I am a graduate student in the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD Program) studying tumor immunology under the mentorship of Tyler Curiel, MD, MPH. My research focuses on studying the role of tumor cell-of-origin PDL1 in tumorigenesis and early tumor progression in multiple cancers, including melanoma and bladder cancer.
I went to the University of Texas at El Paso for undergrad and did a research internship at Scripps in La Jolla, CA. I like rocks, cars, fishing, and the outdoors. My hobbies/interests include working on cars, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, mineral collecting, wine collecting.
Clare Murray MD/PhD Candidate
clare.e.murray.gr@dartmouth.edu
I am a graduate student in the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD Program) studying cancer immunology under the mentorship of Tyler Curiel, MD, MPH. My project focuses on the novel biology of tumor-intrinsic PDL1 signals that promote therapy resistance and developing pharmacologic tumor PDL1 depleting drugs (PDDs) as a translational method to inhibit these signals and sensitize tumors to therapies. My work is currently being integrated into human clinical trials.
Haiyan Bai PhD
haiyan.bai@dartmouth.edu
I am a Staff Scientist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital, working in the lab of Dr. Tyler Curiel. My research background is in Oncology-Immunology and Cancer Biology, where I focus on translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications. I am passionate about advancing cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and traveling with my family.
Yiji Liao MD, PhD
yiji.liao@hitchcock.org
I am a staff scientist and faculty instructor in Tyler Curiel’s lab at Dartmouth College. I enjoy hiking, running, and the outdoors.
Christopher Tanner PhD Candidate
christopher.d.tanner.gr@dartmouth.edu
I am a graduate student in the Microbiology & Immunology discipline of the MCB graduate program at Dartmouth College pursuing my dissertation work with Dr. Tyler Curiel. I study the immune checkpoint molecule PDL2 in the tumor microenvironment and how we can use PDL2 specific immunotherapy to elicit novel treatment vulnerabilities in aged and young hosts.
Bernice Leung PhD Candidate
bernice.leung.gr@dartmouth.edu
I am a graduate student in the Microbiology & Immunology discipline of the MCB graduate program at Dartmouth College pursuing my dissertation work with Dr. Tyler Curiel. I am interested in the pharmacological depletion of PD-L1 and how it can sensitize tumors to chemotherapies. I also volunteer as an annotator for AAAS’s Science in the Classroom. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, listening to true crime podcasts, experimenting in the kitchen and watching Korean dramas.
Nat Spicer PhD Student
nathaniel.spicer.gr@dartmouth.edu
I am a MCB graduate student in the Microbiology and Immunology department at Dartmouth College working in the lab of Dr. Tyler Curiel. My research interests are in understanding how tumors adapt to and alter the host immune response in order to develop better cancer immunotherapies. Prior to coming to Dartmouth, I worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where I was involved in running preclinical studies for industry partners. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, playing basketball, and cooking.
Anja Holtz PhD Student
anja.holtz.gr@dartmouth.edu
I am a graduate student in M&I department of MCB at Dartmouth College completing my dissertation research under Dr. Tyler Curiel’s mentorship. I am most interested in elucidating the intersections behind PDL1 and DNA damage repair to improve cancer therapeutic outcomes and sensitize tumors to PDL1 therapies. Outside of the lab I love to hike, climb, and backpack with my golden retriever, Murphy.