Dr. Michael T. Lotze, MD, FACS, has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Immuno-Oncology (FAIO). This prestigious honor, established by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), recognizes individuals who have played a pivotal role in transforming cancer immunotherapy into a groundbreaking treatment. The Academy brings together leading experts to further SITC’s mission and support the next generation of immuno-oncologists. Dr. Lotze now joins an esteemed group of trailblazers in the field, including Steven A. Rosenberg, Lieping Chen, and Gordon Freeman. His induction will be celebrated at SITC’s 40th Annual Meeting, taking place November 5–9, 2025, in National Harbor, MD.
Dr. Lotze holds multiple roles at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, including Professor of Surgery, Immunology, and Bioengineering; Director of the DAMP Laboratories at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sponsored Training Grants; and Senior Advisor for the Immune Transplant and Therapy Center. His research spans immunotherapy, gene therapy, dendritic and T cell therapies, cytokines, and the role of mitochondria and cell death in cancer. With over three decades of experience in immunology and clinical medicine, Dr. Lotze has significantly contributed to translational cancer research. He has led collaborative efforts targeting pancreatic, renal, and lung cancers and holds numerous patents in dendritic cell vaccines and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy.
An NCI-trained scientist and award-winning educator, Dr. Lotze has held leadership roles at institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh, GlaxoSmithKline, Lion/Iovance Biotherapeutics, and Nurix Therapeutics. He has authored over 500 publications and several books, solidifying his reputation as a pioneering clinician-scientist and tumor immunologist.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lotze on this well-earned and distinguished recognition.