Javier Ogembo

Javier Gordon Ogembo graduated with a Ph.D. from Nagoya University, Japan, and trained as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School, Boston. His laboratory research is currently focused on elucidating entry mechanisms and infection outcomes of three gamma-herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), rhesus lymphocryptovirus (rhLCV) and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), with a goal of developing prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, including vaccines and immunotherapies.

In addition, Dr. Ogembo has interest in global health oncology research, particularly understanding the epidemiology of EBV, KSHV and HPV (human papillomavirus); preventing cancer through early screening of at high-risk populations; and assessing the acceptability, feasibility, and optimal delivery strategies of various vaccines.

Areas of Research

• Development of candidate prophylactic vaccines against human gamma-herpesvirus infection and their associated cancer
• Development of monoclonal antibodies and CAR T cells as immunotherapeutic strategies against cancers caused by oncogenic viruses
• Characterization of infection and pathogenesis of human and nonhuman primate gamma herpesvirus infections in vitro and in vivo
• Identification of cellular proteins that interact with gamma-herpesviruses glycoproteins to mediate productive viral infection
• Development, calibration, and deployment of oncogenic virus diagnostic kits
• Global health-oncology

Degrees

• 2008, Ph.D., Virology and Biotechnology, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
• 2002, M.Sc., Tropical Entomology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare
• 1999, B.Sc., Horticulture, Egerton University, Nairobi, Kenya

Professional Experience

2020-present, Associate Professor, Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA

2018-2020, Assistant Professor, Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA

2016-2018, Assistant Professor, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA

2012-2016, Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

2010-2012, Adjunct Professor, Northeastern University, College of Professional Studies, Boston, MA

2010-2012, Adjunct Lecturer, Emerson College, Boston, MA

2009-2012, Adjunct Lecturer, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

2008-2012, Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

2008-2012, Laboratory Safety Officer, Beth Israel Medical Deaconess Center, Boston, MA

2008-2012, Teaching Assistant, Harvard Medical School, Boston, CA

2008-2012, Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

2005-2008, Teaching Assistant, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan

2002-2003, Teaching Assistant, Cell and Molecular Virology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

2001-2002, Visiting Scientist, Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, United Kingdom

1999-2001, Research Assistant, International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi

Awards

2009-2012, Irvington Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Research Institute

2008-2009, Postdoctoral Fellowship, NIH-Harvard Medical School

2004-2008, Japanese Government Scholar, Monbukagusho

2003-2004, Innovation Research Fund Fellow, Witwatersrand University

2002-2002, Research Scholar, Horticulture Research International

2001-2002, African Regional Postgraduate Program in Insect Science, ICIPE

1995-1999, Kenya Government Scholar, The Government of Republic of Kenya

Memberships

The American Society of Virology

American Association of Immunology

American Society of Microbiology

The Japanese Society of Sericultural Science

The African Association of Insect Scientists

African Regional Postgraduate Programme of Insect Scientist

Feedforth

Sambaza Group

The World Mind Networks

Research

Dr. Ogembo's research is focused on several aspects of host pathogen interactions, with specific focus on the mechanisms by which oncogenic viruses [Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and human papillomavirus (HPV)] bypass cellular barriers and host immune responses, a critical step required for the development of effective vaccines.

Over the years, Dr. Ogembo's work resulted in the development of novel virus-like particles (VLP)-based polyvalent candidate vaccines comprised of EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), latent membrane protein 2 (cancer biomarkers), and several viral glycoproteins capable of inducing high neutralizing antibody titers and protective T-cell responses in mouse models. We are currently extending this work into the development of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against KSHV and HPV associated cancers.