Robert Thimme

Robert Thimme is an expert in the immunology of viral hepatitis and how HBV and HCV immune evasion drives chronic infection, liver fibrosis, and HCC. His research defined the mechanisms of HBV-specific T cell dysfunction including exhaustion and immunosuppression that allow chronic persistence and ongoing hepatocyte damage. He characterized the intrahepatic immune microenvironment in HBV and HCV infection and its relationship to HCC development. His translational work informs immunotherapy strategies for HBV-associated HCC.