Feature
2025 Presidential Lecture Honors Work of Two Immunotherapy Scientists
November 24, 2025
Harris Goldstein, M.D., and Steven C. Almo, Ph.D.
Einstein scientists Harris Goldstein M.D., and Steven Almo, Ph.D., discussed their advances in HIV and cancer research, which developed successful strategies to mobilize the immune system to potentially provide a cure rather than lifelong treatments, during the sixth Presidential Lecture on Nov. 17 in Robbins Auditorium. The annual lecture series was established to spotlight the outstanding research conducted at Montefiore Einstein.
Dr. Goldstein is a professor of pediatric allergy & immunology and of microbiology & immunology, the Charles Michael Chair in Autoimmune Diseases, director of the Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research, and senior associate dean for scientific affairs at Einstein. Dr. Almo is a professor and chair of biochemistry, the Wollowick Family Foundation Chair in Multiple Sclerosis and Immunology, co-leader of the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Therapeutics Program, and co-founder of Cue Biopharma, a clinical stage oncology company.
The two honored speakers discussed their work with proteins, termed Immuno-STATs, that can selectively induce a potent T cell-mediated immune response against HIV-infected cells or cancer cells that is far more focused and effective than those induced by vaccines.
Pamela Stanley, Ph.D., professor of cell biology and chair of the faculty interactions committee that selected this year’s featured speakers, welcomed the audience, followed by Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Montefiore Einstein, and Yaron Tomer, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean of Einstein and chief academic officer at Montefiore Einstein, who each delivered remarks.
Dr. Goldstein told the audience that the presentation was a “role reversal,” as he, an M.D., would present the basic science aspect of their research, which was published online on Aug. 5 in the Journal of Virology, and Dr. Almo, a Ph.D., would be presenting the clinical portion. “I give Steve [Almo] such credit for working with me and synergizing our skills and expertise. We always talk about the incredible collaborative atmosphere here at Einstein and Montefiore, which is our secret sauce. Our work is a wonderful example of that.”
Dr. Almo elaborated on “what it took to develop these strategies for precision biologics to regulate the immune response. … A lot of work has been done to enable our technologies to infiltrate into biotech, large pharma, and clinical trials. The idea here is not only to personalize this therapy, but to also make the speed of it applicable and compatible with the clinic” so that patients can quickly get the lifesaving care they need.
A reception followed the event in Founders Hall, adjacent to the auditorium.
