Jennifer L. Anderson, MD, PhD
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Instructor, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Advanced Scholar, Head and Neck Surgery, Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2018 | University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, US, M.D |
| 2012 | University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, US, Molecular Biology, Ph.D |
| 2005 | University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, US, Mathematics, B.S |
| 2005 | University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, US, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, B.S |
Postgraduate Training
| 2023-2024 | Clinical Fellow, Advanced Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2018-2023 | Resident, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 2012-2014 | Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2023 | The Texas Medical Board |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Instructor, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2024 - 2025
Clinical Specialist, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - 2025
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Basic & Translational Science Service, American Head and Neck Society, 2025 - Present
Abstract reviewer, Program Service for AHNS 2025 Annual Meeting, American Head and Neck Society, 2024 - 2024
Editorial Activities
Guest Editor for Special Issue on the Tumor Microenvironment in Head and Neck Cancer, Cancers, 2025 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2024 - Present | MD Anderson Division of Surgery Clinical Trial Design Course Presentation (First Place) |
| 2023 | Three Rivers Otolaryngology Update Resident Research Award (Third Place) |
| 2021 | PAO-HNS Virtual Annual Meeting Resident Jeopardy Bowl First Place |
| 2018 | Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting Poster Award (Second place, Head and Neck) |
| 2017 | Medical Education Leadership Award |
| 2017 | Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Junior Inductee |
| 2016 | Award for Exemplary Performance in the Clinical Foundations II Course |
| 2007 - 2010 | Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Grant |
| 2004 - 2005 | Golden Key International Honour Society |
| 2002 - 2005 | Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society |
| 2002 | Golden Key International Honour Society Award for sophomore in top ten percent of class |
| 2002 | Placentia-Yorba Linda American Association of University Women Scholarship |
| 2001 - 2005 | National Society of Collegiate Scholars |
| 2001 - 2005 | UCLA Letters and Sciences College Honors Program |
| 2001 - 2004 | Provost’s Honors List/Dean’s Honors List |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin in combination with radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade in murine models of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Invited. Center Head & Neck and Lung Cancer Innovations in Research and Treatment Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Using single cell transcriptomics to characterize the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Conference. Three Rivers Otolaryngology Update. Pittsburgh, PA, US.
- 2022. Sarcomas of the head and neck. Invited. UPMC Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. Pittsburgh, PA, US.
- 2022. Using single cell transcriptomics to characterize the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Conference. Three Rivers Otolaryngology Update. Pittsburgh, PA, US.
- 2021. Using single cell transcriptomics to characterize the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Invited. UPMC Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. Pittsburgh, PA, US.
- 2016. 44-year-old female with hematochezia. Invited. Clinical Foundations II Clinicopathological Conference, University of California. Irvine, CA, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2022. Galectin-9 drives TIM-3+ natural killer cell dysfunction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Conference. Translational Research Cancer Centers Consortium Annual Meeting. Seven Springs, PA, US.
- 2022. Galectin-9 drives functional exhaustion of TIM-3+ NK cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Conference. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting. Hershey, PA, US.
- 2016. Infections Associated with Open Tibia Fractures in Ethiopia. Conference. Western Orthopedic Association Annual Meeting. Indian Wells, CA, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin in combination with radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade in murine models of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Invited. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center Cancer Trainee Network Seminar. Madison, WI, US.
- 2025. Liposomal doxorubicin improves response to immune checkpoint blockade by enhancing innate immunity in a murine model of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Poster. American Association for Cancer Research Immuno-Oncology (AACR IO) Conference. Los Angeles, CA, US.
- 2024. Galectin-9 affects distinct natural killer cell functions through TIM-3 and CD44. Poster. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Using spatial epigenomics and transcriptomics to characterize the tumor microenvironment of non-melanoma skin cancer. Conference. AAO-HNSF 2024 Annual Meeting & OTO Expo. Miami, FL, US.
- 2024. Decreased T-cell repertoire and lower density of antigen-presenting cells in the tumor microenvironment of immunosuppressed patients with non-melanoma skin cancer suggest impaired innate immunity is a key driver of immunosuppression. Conference. Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2023. TIM-3+ natural killer cell dysfunction is driven by galectin-9 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Conference. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2023. Small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of efficacy with anti-PD-1 mAb therapy in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients. Poster. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2022. Galectin-9 drives TIM-3+ natural killer cell dysfunction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Conference. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting. Boston, MA, US.
- 2022. The effect of opioids on the efficacy of immunotherapy in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Poster. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2021. Surgical factors associated with patient-reported quality of life outcomes after free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity. Poster. Virtual AHNS 10th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, US.
- 2020. Association of inner ear function and extent of pneumolabyrinth. Poster. Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, US.
- 2018. The impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy and neck dissection on survival of patients with early stage Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Poster. Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting. National Harbor, Maryland, US.
- 2017. Head and Neck Cancer Staging Updates in AJCC 8th Edition: What Changed and What the Radiologists Need to Know. Conference. Radiological Society of North America Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2017. Risk and Complications of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Removal. Conference. AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2016. Efficacy of ultrasound instruction in Wolaita, Soddo, Ethiopia using podcasts, study guides and hands-on training methods. Conference. Innovations in Medical Education Conference, University of Southern California. Los Angeles, CA, US.
- 2013. Pre-clinical evaluation of the PI3K inhibitor NVP-BKM120 in Ewing sarcoma family tumors. Conference. Connective Tissue Oncology Society Annual Meeting. New York, NY, US.
International Presentations
- 2021. Frontal osteomyelitis with intracranial involvement: what is the best management strategy?. Invited. Rhinology-Skull Base Interface Meeting, US.
- 2012. Phosphoproteomic profiling reveals paracrine signaling within the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. Poster. Connective Tissue Oncology Society Annual Meeting. Prague, CZ.
- 2011. Characterization of cellular signaling in Ewing’s family tumors using a phosphoproteomic approach. Poster. Cancer Proteomics 2011. Dublin, IE.
- 2010. Using phosphoproteomics to define cell signaling networks modulated by EWS/FLI1 and IGF-I in Ewing’s family tumors. Poster. Days of Molecular Medicine 2010: Systems Biology Approaches to Cancer and Metabolic Disease. Stockholm, SE.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2011 - 2012 |
| Title: | Characterization of cellular signaling in Ewing sarcoma family of tumors |
| Funding Source: | UCLA |
| Role: | UCLA Division of Graduate Education Dissertation Year Award |
| Date: | 2007 - 2010 |
| Title: | Deregulation of target genes by EWS/ETS fusion proteins in Ewing sarcoma |
| Funding Source: | Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award GM07185 |
| Role: | Postdoctoral Fellow |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Liu SX, McCall AA, Anderson J, Perez P, Hirsch B, Hughes M, Arani K, Traylor K, Branstetter BF IV. Development of a Computed Tomography Imaging Grading Scale for Pneumolabyrinth. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 134(8):561-568, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40219758.
- Wang J, Li H, Kulkarni A, Anderson JL, Pragati U, Onyekachi OV, Arantes LMRB, Banerjee H, Kane LP, Zhang X, Bruno TC, Bao R, Ferris RL, Vujanavoic L. Differential Impact of Tim-3 Ligands on NK Cell Function. J. Immunother. Cancer 134:561–568, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39773563.
- Zandberg DP, Zenkin S, Ak M, Mamindla P, Peddagangireddy V, Hsieh R, Anderson JL, Delgoffe GM, Menk A, Skinner HD, Duvvuri U, Ferris RL, Colen RR. Evaluation of radiomics as a predictor of efficacy and the tumor immune microenvironment in anti-PD-1 mAb treated recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck patients. Head Neck 47(1):129-138, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39080968.
- Zandberg DP, Hong C, Swartz A, Hsieh R, Anderson J, Ferris RL, Diergaarde B, Whiteside TL. Small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of response in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients treated with immunotherapy. BJC Rep 2:70, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39281316.
- Na’ara S, Anderson JL, Kochat V, Nagarajan P, Rao X, Arslan E, Gleber-Netto FO, Akhter S, Yaniv D, Xie T, Glaun M, Bobian M, Andrews C, Gunaratne P, Rankothgedera S, Migden MR, Abbas HA, Reville PK, Wang J, Myers JN, Gross ND, Rai K, Amit M. Spatial biology reveals macrophage dysfunction in immunosuppressed non-melanoma skin cancer. Cell. e-Pub 2024.
- Scheff NN, Nilsen ML, Li J, Harris AL, Acharya R, Swartz A, Hsieh RW, Anderson JL, Ferris RL, Menk AV, Delgoffe GM, Zandberg DP. The effect of opioids on the efficacy of immunotherapy in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral Oncol 140:106363, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36963232.
- Dharmarajan H, Belsky MA, Anderson JL, Sridharan S. Otolaryngology Consult Protocols in the Setting of COVID-19: The University of Pittsburgh Approach. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 131(1):12-26, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 33779296.
- Jimenez JE, Nilsen ML, Gooding WE, Anderson JL, Khan NI, Mady LJ, Wasserman-Wincko T, Duvvuri U, Kim S, Ferris RL, Solari MG, Kubik MW, Johnson JT, Sridharan S. Surgical factors associated with patient-reported quality of life outcomes after free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity. Oral Oncol 123:105574, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34715452.
- Dharmarajan H, Anderson JL, Kim S, Sridharan S, Duvvuri U, Ferris RL, Solari MG, Clump DA, Skinner HD, Ohr JP, Zandberg DP, Branstetter B, Hughes MA, Traylor KS, Seethala R, Chiosea SI, Nilsen ML, Johnson JT, Kubik MW. Transition to a virtual multidisciplinary tumor board during the COVID-19 pandemic: University of Pittsburgh experience. Head Neck 42(6):1310-1316, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32329958.
- Anderson JL, Vu K, Haidar YM, Kuan EC, Tjoa T. Risks and complications of thyroglossal duct cyst removal. Laryngoscope 130(2):381-384, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 30865298.
- Anderson JL, Haidar YM, Armstrong WB, Tjoa T. Analysis of Clinical Features of Mammary Analog Secretory Carcinoma Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 145(1):91-93, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30419133.
- Anderson JL, Park A, Akiyama R, Tap WD, Denny CT, Federman N. Evaluation of In Vitro Activity of the Class I PI3K Inhibitor Buparlisib (BKM120) in Pediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas. PLoS One 10(9):e0133610, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26402468.
- Anderson JL, Titz B, Akiyama R, Komisopoulou E, Park A, Tap WD, Graeber TG, Denny CT. Phosphoproteomic profiling reveals IL6-mediated paracrine signaling within the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. Mol Cancer Res 12(12):1740-54, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25092916.
- France KA, Anderson JL, Park A, Denny CT. Oncogenic fusion protein EWS/FLI1 down-regulates gene expression by both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. J Biol Chem 286(26):22750-7, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21531709.
- Xia Y, Babitt JL, Bouley R, Zhang Y, Da Silva N, Chen S, Zhuang Z, Samad TA, Brenner GJ, Anderson JL, Hong CC, Schneyer AL, Brown D, Lin HY. Dragon enhances BMP signaling and increases transepithelial resistance in kidney epithelial cells. J Am Soc Nephrol 21(4):666-77, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20167703.
- Call GB, Olson JM, Chen J, Anderson J, URCFG, Banerjee U. Genomewide clonal analysis of lethal mutations in the Drosophila melanogaster eye: comparison of the X chromosome and autosomes. Genetics 177(2):689-697, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17720911.
- Chen J, Call GB, Anderson J, URCFG, Banerjee U. Discovery-based science education: functional genomic dissection in Drosophila by undergraduate researchers. PLoS Biol 3(2):59, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15719063.
Review Articles
- Jones G, Anderson JL, Nguyen PTT, Gleber-Netto FO, Hwang WL, Puduvalli VK, Monje M, Amit M. Novel approaches to clinical trial design in cancer neuroscience. Neuron 113(17):2791-2813, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40907474.
- Amit M, Eichwald T, Roger A, Anderson J, Chang A, Vermeer PD, Dixon KO, Scheff NN, Talbot S. Neuro-immune cross-talk in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 25:573–589, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40523971.
- Nowicki TS, Anderson JL, Federman N. Prospective immunotherapies in childhood sarcomas: PD1/PDL1 blockade in combination with tumor vaccines. Pediatr Res 79(3):371-7, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26595537.
- Anderson JL, Denny CT, Tap WD, Federman N. Pediatric sarcomas: translating molecular pathogenesis of disease to novel therapeutic possibilities. Pediatr Res 72(2):112-21, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22546864.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026