Titles

Director, Hybridoma Center
Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs,
Co-Head, Immunomonitoring Laboratory
Director of Immunoassays

Education

Additional Professional Links

Honor Society Memberships

Research Interests

Sheehan has a long-standing interest in the role of cytokines, particularly the interferons and tumor necrosis factor, in immune and infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapy. Current work is focused on understanding the mechanism(s) of action of new models of immune checkpoint therapy (ICT), as well as combinatorial treatment strategies using defined syngeneic murine sarcoma models. Antibodies developed in our laboratory that bind TNFR2 have been particularly effective to induce tumor rejection in murine models. Use of high-dimensional analyses provides a strategy to monitor changes within distinct cellular populations in response to ICT and identify synergistic mechanisms and new targets.

In addition to her research studies, Dr. Sheehan also directs two shared resource facilities. The Hybridoma Center (HC) within the Department of Pathology and Immunology provides comprehensive monoclonal antibody (mAb) development services for investigators within our research community as well as the broader scientific community. In particular, Sheehan has exploited the Armenian hamster model to develop functional mAb to variety of murine or human targets as well as pathogens. The facility is widely recognized for its expertise in genetic immunization techniques and development of novel reagents, producing mAb of both research and clinical / immunodiagnostic significance. https://pathology.wustl.edu/research/core-facilities/hybridoma-center/

Sheehan also serves as Co-Head of the Immunomonitoring Laboratory (IML) within the Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs (CHiiPs). The IML was established to provide the structure, state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise to monitor the impact of specific immunotherapies on human and mouse immunologic profiles, interrogate mechanisms and pathways related to the treatment protocols and advance the conceptual basis for targeted treatment strategies. Director of the Immunoassay Group. She was instrumental in the physical set-up, staffing and implementation of Core services, serves as the Director of the Immunoassays Group and continues to drive the development and expansion of activities of this shared resource. www.chiips.wustl.edu

Selected Publications

Assistant