Group Members

Anna Martner, PhD, Associate Professor

PhD, University of Gothenburg, 2009

Post doc, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, 2011-2012

Sabattical at Whitehead Insitute, MIT, Boston, 2019-2020

PI, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, 2012-

Our research projects focus on immune dysfunction in infection and cancer with a clear translational approach. In the pandemic era, we have studied cellular and humoral immunity to COVID-19 following natural infection and vaccination in healthy and immunosuppressed populaitons. In addition, we evaulate novel treatment strategies in preclinical cancer models and perform immune monitoring in clinical trials, including cancer trials using the NOX2-inhibitor histamine dihydrochloride (Ceplene).

Roberta Kiffin, PhD

PhD in Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, 2011

Post doc at Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, 2011-2012

Post doc, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, 2014-

Dr. Kiffin’s research seeks to improve treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and melanoma by defining mechanisms of action and immunological effects of currently approved therapies in these diseases. Her previous research has focused on understanding how alterations in autophagy affect human health.

Hanna Grauers Wiktorin, PhD

MSc in Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, 2014

PhD in Medicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg 2018

Post doc, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, 2018-

Hanna Grauers Wiktorin conducted her doctoral studies in the Martnerlab on redox regulation in cancer. Her post doc studies in the same lab have focused on functions of antigen-specific T cells in infections and cancer. Her studies have revieled dual phases on T cell reacticity following an infection, and also highlight the impact of the myeloid cell enzyme NOX2 for T cell reactivity.

Belson Rugwizangoga ,MD, PhD

Medical Doctor, University of Rwanda, Butare 2007

PhD in Medicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, 2020

Post doc, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, 2022-

The studies of Dr. Rugwizangoga involves characterization of acute leukemias and lymphomas in Rwanda, including possible connections between malaria, EBV infection and subtypes of leukemia/lymphoma. He also performed his doctoral studies in the Martnerlab on aspects of leukemia and infection.

Malin Nilsson, MSc

MSc in Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, 2016

PhD-student, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, 2016-

Malin Nilsson’s research is focused on single cell transcriptional profiling of leukemic stem cells.

Sanchari Paul, MSc

MSc in Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, 2017

PhD-student, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, 2018-

The research project of Sanchari Paul aims at identifying and expanding tumor-specific T cells for therapeutic purposes.

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Andreas Törnell, MSc

MSc in Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, 2020

PhD-student, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, 2020-

Andreas Törnell is studying COVID-19 vaccine responses in immunosuppressed populations. In addition, he investigates the role of NOX2 SNPs for the development and progression of neurological disesase.

Nuttida Issdisai, MSc

MSc in Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, 2021

PhD-student, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, 2021-

Nuttida Issdisai is studying mechanisms of tumor metastasis, including the role of myeloid cell derived reactive oxygen species and TSP-1.

Mohammad Arabpour, PhD

PhD in Gene Therapy, University of Groningen, Netherlands, 2016

Post doc, MIVAC, University of Gothenburg, 2016-2019

Post doc, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, 2019-2022

Dr. Arabpour has extensive experience of contruction of fusion-proteins and vaccines. His work involves the development of T cell targeted vaccines to prevent infectious diseases as well as metastasis formation.

Junko Johansson, PhD

MSc in Biotechnology, Chalmers University of Technology, 2014

PhD-student, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, 2015-2019

Post doc, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, 2019-

The PhD-project of Junko Johansson was a collaboration between the Martner lab and the Surgery Department at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The project aimed at defining the role of immunity for the clinical response to isolated limb perfusion using melphalan in melanoma. The post doc studies of Junko Johansson focus on exosomes in malignant melanoma.

Ebru Aydin, PhD

MSc in Immunology & Infection Biology, Uppsala University, 2013

PhD, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, 2018

Post doc at the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, 2019-

Ebru Aydin performed her PhD-studies in the Martner lab on research defining the role of NOX2 for anti-tumor immune effector mechanisms in melanoma and in leukemia. At present she is conducting a post doc in Heidelberg that focuses on T cell responses during Pancreatic cancer.