Hongbo Chi

Dr. Hongbo Chi is an immunologist with a long-standing interest in immune signaling and cell metabolism. His laboratory has made important discoveries in understanding the principle of metabolic reprogramming for immune cell fate, state and tolerance. These include the roles of metabolic programs (e.g. glucose, lipid, and mitochondrial metabolism), signaling pathways (e.g. mTOR and Hippo kinases; metabolite- and nutrient-induced signaling), and systems-level regulatory networks (e.g. interactions between protein regulators and their targets) in basic T cell and dendritic cell biology and mechanisms of cancer and autoimmune diseases. His work is highly regarded and widely referenced, earning him a place on the 2020 Highly Cited Researchers list. Dr. Chi received his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester, and his postdoctoral training with Dr. Richard Flavell from Yale University School of Medicine. In 2007, he started his independent research program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he is currently a Member (Professor) and Endowed Chair in the Department of Immunology. His research program has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health since 2007, with a recent NIAID R37 merit award. Honored by his graduate alma mater, University of Rochester, with their 2018 Alumni Achievement Award, Dr. Chi continues his innovative quest for fundamental discovery and translational initiative as a highly collaborative member of St. Jude and the scientific community.