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Smrithi S. Menon

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University of Toledo, Georgetown University, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Kochi Campus

ORCID iD 0000-0002-1262-0843
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About

I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Thomas Laboratory, where I began my training at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and continue my work following the laboratory's transition to Fred Hutch Cancer Center in November 2025. My research focuses on immune dysfunction in pediatric cancer survivors and the immune determinants of infectious disease outcomes in children. Using a translational immunology approach, I leverage well-characterized human cohorts, high-dimensional immune profiling, and clinical data to investigate how cancer therapy and other immune perturbations shape long-term immune health.

My current research integrates high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics (10x Genomics), and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire sequencing to define immune phenotypes and clonal dynamics associated with chronic health burden and infection susceptibility. These multimodal platforms enable deep profiling of immune cell heterogeneity and adaptive immune remodeling, with the ultimate goal of informing precision survivorship care.

I completed my PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Toledo, where I investigated the role of the complement system in host–pathogen interactions, sparking a broader interest in immune regulation and innate–adaptive crosstalk. During this time, I developed strong molecular and cellular biology skills, including complement assays, specialized ELISA's, flow cytometry, and protozoan parasite handling, specifically Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease.

Prior to this, I earned an MS in Tumor Biology from Georgetown University, where I trained in cancer biology and metabolomics. I gained hands-on experience in mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolic profiling. Earlier in my career, following my undergraduate training, I worked in a clinical radiotherapy setting in India, where I gained experience with handling linear accelerators, cobalt-60 machines, and diagnostic imaging modalities (CT, MRI).

My long-term research interests lie at the intersection of immunology, cancer biology, and infectious disease. I am particularly motivated to understand how cancer therapies reprogram the immune system and how these alterations influence future immune resilience, chronic inflammation, and risk for infection or other late effects. By integrating cutting-edge single-cell tools with human cohort-based research, I aim to identify biomarkers and mechanisms that can guide risk stratification and therapeutic interventions for pediatric cancer survivors.

Employment

  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Post doctoral Research fellow
    2025 - Present
  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Post-doctoral Research Fellow
    2023 - 2025
  • Georgetown University Research Assistant
    2015 - 2017
  • Narayana Health Radiotherapy Technologist
    2012 - 2014

Education

  • University of Toledo PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology
    2017 - 2023
  • Georgetown University MS in Tumor Biology
    2014 - 2015
  • Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Kochi Campus BSc in Medical Radiologic Technology
    2008 - 2012

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (12)