Kristie Torres Montero
Program: Neurosciences
Current advisor: Mai Dang, MD, PhD
Undergraduate university: University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Research summary
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, and current treatments can cause significant long-term neurological harm while failing in high-risk cases. I investigate how brain-resident immune cells, particularly microglia, regulate antigen presentation and anti-tumor T cell responses following radiation therapy, and whether targeted innate immune stimulation can enhance tumor control. By defining microglia as actionable therapeutic targets within the pediatric brain tumor microenvironment, these studies aim to inform the development of safer and more effective immunotherapy strategies for children with medulloblastoma.
Graduate publications