Dennis Jones, PhD
Assistant Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

PhD, Yale University School of Medicine
BS, Morehouse College



Dennis Jones, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine.Our research focuses on understanding how tumors impact the functionality of blood vessels, which are essential for immune cells, such as T cells, to infiltrate tumors. Our previous studies have found that tumors can cause the compression and dysfunction of blood vessels, which ultimately limits T cell entry into the tumor. Therefore, our lab aims to develop approaches to improve vascular function within tumors, with the goal of increasing T cell entry. In combination, we will use immunotherapy to enhance the killing ability of T cells. Currently, we are testing this combination therapy in preclinical models. Our ultimate goal is to improve outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Our lab is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of trainees with expertise in cancer biology, immunology, and vascular biology. We employ a range of techniques, including in vitro and in vivo experiments, imaging, and molecular and cellular biology assays, to better understand the complex mechanisms underlying tumor-induced vascular dysfunction and immune suppression.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

As a scientist from a historically underrepresented minority group, promoting diversity and inclusion within biomedical research is a deeply ingrained part of my values and mission.
My efforts to expose other underrepresented persons to research began during my graduate studies. Over three years, I co-coordinated an NIH-funded summer research program that was designed to provide research experiences for historically underrepresented minorities. I managed research experiences for 35 of the 70 undergraduates who participated, and 93% of these students went on to graduate from college, with nearly one-quarter pursuing PhD and MD/PhD programs. As a postdoctoral fellow, I spent three summers working with high school and college students enrolled in the NCI’s CURE program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. As a faculty member at Boston University, I have continued my commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion by hosting historically underrepresented students in my laboratory through BU STaRS Program, PREP Program, and through the Medical Sciences and Education Department's partnership with local public high schools.
I believe in the importance of Black representation in academia to inspire confidence among trainees of color, and I intentionally maintain visibility through profile features and speaking engagements. I strive to create a more inclusive research culture by fostering a welcoming and encouraging space in my own laboratory where all individuals, including those from historically underrepresented groups, can do great science. While my race adds to the diversity in science, my primary focus and passion is to achieve significant breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment. I hope that my scientific productivity and commitment to diversity and inclusion will inspire other historically underrepresented scientists in their academic pursuits.

Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students)
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences


Member
Boston University
BU-BMC Cancer Center




Enhancing immunity by protecting lymphatic muscle cells from MRSA-Induced dysfunction
07/02/2024 - 06/30/2029 (PI)
NIH/National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases
1R01AR084505-01

Improving anti-tumor immunity in advanced breast cancer by targeting solid stress
06/01/2024 - 05/31/2029 (PI)
NIH/National Cancer Institute
1R01CA284133-01A1

Enhancing Lymphatic Function with Transplanted Muscle Cells after Bacterial Infection
03/15/2024 - 03/14/2026 (PI)
Department of Defense/Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity


Improving anti-breast cancer immunity by targeting solid stress
07/01/2022 - 06/30/2024 (Subcontract PI)
American Association for Cancer Research Breast Cancer ResFdn


Targeting breast cancer plasticity and immunosuppression in metastatic lymph nodes
07/07/2021 - 07/06/2023 (PI)
METAvivor


Understanding the mechanisms of immune suppression in lymph node metastases
09/30/2018 - 08/31/2022 (PI)
NIH/National Cancer Institute
5K22CA230315-03



Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis       Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

  1. Arroyo-Ataz G, Jones D. Overview of Lymphatic Muscle Cells in Development, Physiology, and Disease. Microcirculation. 2024 Sep 27; e12887. PMID: 39329178; DOI: 10.1111/micc.12887;
     
  2. Lei PJ, Fraser C, Jones D, Ubellacker JM, Padera TP. Lymphatic system regulation of anti-cancer immunity and metastasis. Front Immunol. 2024; 15:1449291. PMID: 39211044; PMCID: PMC11357954; DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1449291;
     
  3. Arroyo-Ataz G, Yagüe AC, Breda JC, Mazzilli SA, Jones D. Transcriptional, developmental, and functional parallels of lymphatic and venous smooth muscle. bioRxiv. 2024 Jul 22.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39091770; PMCID: PMC11291064; DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.18.604042;
     
  4. Jana S, Li W, Lei PJ, Wang Z, Kibara S, Huang P, Jones D. Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Mammary Adenocarcinoma, MCa-P1362, with Hormone Receptor Expression, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Positivity, and Enrichment in Cancer and Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Am J Pathol. 2024 Jun; 194(6):1137-1153.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38749609; PMCID: PMC11156160; DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.02.013;
     
  5. Barnard ME, Wang X, Petrick JL, Zirpoli GR, Jones D, Johnson WE, Palmer JR. Psychosocial stressors and breast cancer gene expression in the Black Women's Health Study. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024 Apr; 204(2):327-340.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38127176; PMCID: PMC11232497; DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07182-w;
     
  6. Lei PJ, Ruscic KJ, Roh K, Rajotte JJ, O'Melia MJ, Bouta EM, Marquez M, Pereira ER, Kumar AS, Arroyo-Ataz G, Razavi MS, Zhou H, Menzel L, Kumra H, Duquette M, Huang P, Baish JW, Munn LL, Ubellacker JM, Jones D, Padera TP. Lymphatic muscle cells are unique cells that undergo aging induced changes. bioRxiv. 2023 Nov 19. PMID: 38014141; PMCID: PMC10680808; DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.18.567621;
     
  7. Delclaux I, Ventre KS, Jones D, Lund AW. The tumor-draining lymph node as a reservoir for systemic immune surveillance. Trends Cancer. 2024 Jan; 10(1):28-37. PMID: 37863720; PMCID: PMC10843049; DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.09.006;
     
  8. Lei PJ, Pereira ER, Andersson P, Amoozgar Z, Van Wijnbergen JW, O'Melia MJ, Zhou H, Chatterjee S, Ho WW, Posada JM, Kumar AS, Morita S, Menzel L, Chung C, Ergin I, Jones D, Huang P, Beyaz S, Padera TP. Cancer cell plasticity and MHC-II-mediated immune tolerance promote breast cancer metastasis to lymph nodes. J Exp Med. 2023 Sep 04; 220(9). PMID: 37341991; PMCID: PMC10286805; DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221847;
     
  9. Jana S, Li W, Lei PJ, Wang Z, Huang P, Jones D. "Isolation and characterization of a novel hormone receptor positive mammary adenocarcinoma MCa-P1362 with stromal drivers of tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance". bioRxiv. 2023 Jun 06.View Related Profiles. PMID: 37333242; PMCID: PMC10274631; DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.02.543434;
     
  10. Arroyo-Ataz G, Jones D. Dissection of murine collecting lymphatic vessels for imaging, single-cell analysis, and tissue culture of lymphatic muscle cells. STAR Protoc. 2022 Dec 16; 3(4):101800.View Related Profiles. PMID: 36353362; PMCID: PMC9637822; DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101800;
     
Showing 10 of 36 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 36 publications over 16 distinct years, with a maximum of 5 publications in 2023

YearPublications
20081
20091
20102
20112
20123
20141
20152
20162
20171
20184
20192
20202
20213
20221
20235
20244

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2018 Gordon Research Conference (Lymphatics) Poster Award
2018 Massachusetts General Hospital Outstanding Research Award
2018 NIH Transition Career Development Award (K22)
2017 NIH Future Research Leader
2017 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Rising Star in Biomedical
2015 NIH National Research Service Award (F32) Postdoctoral Fellow
2014 UNCF-Merck Postdoctoral Fellow
2014 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Postdoctoral Enrichment Program Fellow
2012 NIH Institutional Training Grant (T32) Fellow
2008 NIH National Research Service Award (F31) Predoctoral Fellow
2007 Anna Fuller Fellow
2005 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Scholar
2004 Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Fellow
Contact for Mentoring:

670 Albany Street
Boston MA 02118
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