Priya Bhatt

Priya Bhatt investigates the regulation of innate immune responses in dendritic cells within the tumor microenvironment and the innate-adaptive immune interface in anti-tumor immunity. Her research has characterized how STING activation in dendritic cells drives cross-presentation of tumor antigens to prime cytotoxic T cells, establishing the mechanistic link between innate sensing and adaptive immunity against cancer. She has identified suppressive mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment that dampen dendritic cell STING signaling to limit anti-tumor responses. Her work informs strategies to reinvigorate innate immune sensing in tumors with dysfunctional dendritic cell activity.