Deciphering the role of TIM 1 expressing B lymphocytes in antitumor immunity

This MD PhD fellowship was awarded under the national MD PhD fellowship program of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) in January 2026 for a duration of three years. Fanny Amrein conducts her work in the laboratory of Prof. Olivier Michielin at the University of Geneva.

Dr. Fanny Amrein’s research project focuses on the still poorly understood role of certain immune system cells, known as B cells, in skin cancer of the melanoma type.

While immunotherapies have transformed the care of many patients, some of them still do not respond to these treatments. Better understanding why remains a major challenge.

At the interface between basic research and clinical practice, this project aims to identify how specific subpopulations of B cells interact with tumor cells and other immune cells, and how they may influence the response to existing immunotherapies.

By combining experimental models and analysis of patient data, this research could pave the way for new predictive markers of treatment response and even new therapeutic strategies, directly benefiting patients with melanoma.

Genetic susceptibility and drug interactions in Platinum-Induced Hearing Loss (PIHL) : a translational approach towards personalized medicine

This “MD-PhD fellowship” was awarded under the national MD-PhD fellowship program of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) in December 2025 for a duration of two years. Lara Chavaz carries out her work in the laboratory of Prof. Marc Ansari at the University of Geneva.

The research project led by Dr. Lara Chavaz focuses on the long-term side effects of cancer treatments in children, particularly hearing damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin.

While these treatments are essential for curing many pediatric cancers, they can cause lasting hearing problems, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance disorders, which have a significant impact on the quality of life of children who have grown into adults.

This project aims to better understand why some children develop these complications while others do not. By studying the links between genetic factors and side effects observed after treatment, the research seeks to identify profiles of patients at higher risk.

Ultimately, this work could lead to more personalized treatments, tailored patient follow-up, and reduced long-term sequelae, thereby improving the quality of life of pediatric cancer survivors.