The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research together with the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce organizes the quarterly Biotech Connector Speaker Series. This event promotes and supports the Frederick County and surrounding areas’ biotech and bioscience community and provides an inside look at local advances.
Please join fellow biotech and bioscience professionals for our third event in 2026. The speakers for the event are:
- Adrienne Swanstrom, Ph.D., scientist, Retrovirus-Cell Interaction Section, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
- Jeff Galvin, BA, CEO and founder, American Gene Technologies
- Michelle Zemil McCrea, MS, Ph.D. candidate, program manager, Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF)
Registration is required. Fill out the form below.
Contact Lyuba Khavrutskii at lyuba.khavrutskii@nih.gov with questions.
Agenda
Optimizing Cellular Immunity: Engineered T cells Versus SIV
Abstract
Cellular immunity to HIV often falls short in controlling infection. To better understand the full potential of anti–AIDS virus CD8⁺ T cell responses, we use a nonhuman primate model that allows for greater experimental control and more extensive sampling than is possible in humans. Our team has established methods to engineer large numbers of T cells—derived from either naïve or SIV infected rhesus macaques—to express highly potent, antiviral SIV specific T cell receptors. These engineered cells enable adoptive cell transfer (ACT) studies aimed at shaping transmission outcomes and acute phase viral kinetics in rhesus macaques. This presentation will provide an update on our ACT-based approaches and highlight emerging advances in T cell engineering methods and antigen receptor design.
Bio
Adrienne Swanstrom, Ph.D., is a scientist in the Retrovirus-Cell Interaction Section of the AIDS and Cancer Virus Program at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. Her team uses nonhuman primate models of HIV infection to study the genetic engineering of antiviral T cells, advancing understanding of both the potential and the limits of cellular immunity, and evaluating novel immunotherapy strategies. She holds degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Pennsylvania.
An interesting fact about the speaker
Although Adrienne doesn’t have much time these days, one of her favorite hobbies is baking and particularly decorating cakes.
Progress Toward an HIV Functional Cure
Abstract
Gene and cell therapy are powerful tools for interrupting the replication cycle of HIV in the body, suppressing viral loads, and eliminating viral reservoirs—critical elements of a one-and-done functional cure for people living with HIV, eliminating the need for lifelong antiretroviral therapy. Recent clinical trials have yielded unprecedented reductions in viral reservoirs, which may be a key element in achieving the goal of a functional cure.
Bio
Jeff Galvin graduated from Harvard in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in Economics and a minor in Computer Science. His career in Silicon Valley, working for HP, Apple, and a series of startups, allowed him to retire early. He came out of retirement after learning about viral vectors and recognizing their potential to "reprogram" human cells in much the same way computers can be reprogrammed, with the goal of improving health and treating previously incurable or untreatable diseases. He founded AGT in 2008, and the company is developing cures and more effective treatments for infectious diseases, cancers, and genetic disorders.
An interesting fact about the speaker
In his free time, Jeff travels around the United States in an RV with his wife, spending time in nature, touring state and national parks, and going off-grid on federal lands.
Isolation of next-generation broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1
Bio
Michelle Zemil McCrea is a program manager and Ph.D. candidate at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation in support of the Military HIV Research Program. Her doctoral research investigates mechanisms driving the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in people living with multiple founders of HIV. With experience spanning HIV, SARS-CoV-2, and Lassa virus, her research interests include bNAb isolation and elicitation strategies, rational vaccine immunogen design, characterization of contemporary HIV and development of representative virus panels.
An interesting fact about the speaker
Michelle is a collector of hobbies and in her free time she enjoys making ceramics, embroidery, and scuba diving (but only in warm water)!