Shaun Steele, PHD
Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of GI Medical Oncology-Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2015 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Microbiology and Immunology Department, US, Microbiology and Immunology, PhD |
| 2008 | Tulane University, US, Cell and Molecular Biology, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2016-2019 | Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington State University |
| 2015-2016 | Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Virginia |
| 2008-2010 | Post-baccalaureate/Lab Technician, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Experience & Service
Other Professional Positions
Staff Scientist, Developed and built Crispr gene editing platform and immuno-oncology platform, Xilis, Inc, 2022 - 2023
Consultant, Grant Writing, Washington State University, 2019 - 2020
Senior Scientist, Genetically engineered bacteriophage to create alternative therapies to antibiotics, Locus Biosciences, 2019 - 2022
Honors & Awards
| 2014 | Dissertation Completion Fellowship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| 2014 | Distinguished Dissertation Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2026 - 2028 |
| Title: | Development and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft and Micro-Organoid Models to Advance Precision Therapy for Patients with Peritoneal Mesothelioma |
| Funding Source: | DOD |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | Development and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft and Micro-Organoid Models to Advance Precision Therapy for Patients with Peritoneal Mesothelioma |
| Date: | 2026 - 2028 |
| Title: | Patient-Derived Mini-Tumor Avatars as a Functional Precision Medicine Platform to Advance CAR-NK Therapy |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | FP00028663 |
| Date: | 2026 - 2028 |
| Title: | Leveraging Mini-Tumor Avatars to Optimize CAR-NK Efficacy and Patient Selection in Colorectal Cancer |
| Funding Source: | DOD |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | Award#CA250904 |
| Date: | 2026 - 2031 |
| Title: | FORECAST: Foundation Oncology Response Estimation and Clinical Analysis SysTem |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 1R01OD041802-01 |
| Date: | 2026 - 2031 |
| Title: | OPTIMA: Oncology Precision Trials using Individualized Model Avatars |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Key |
| ID: | 1R01OD041802-01 |
| Date: | 2026 - 2027 |
| Title: | Hit-to-lead optimization and in vivo efficacy and toxicity evaluation of a first-in-class target for checkpoint-refractory colon cancer |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | FP00028787 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2030 |
| Title: | OPTIMA: Oncology Precision Trails using Individualized Model Avatars |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 1UM1TR006048-01 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2029 |
| Title: | Convergent Science Cancer Consortium For Immune Cell Engineering |
| Funding Source: | DOD |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | CA240991/ HT94252520003 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2029 |
| Title: | Convergent Science Cancer Consortium For Immune Cell Engineering |
| Funding Source: | US Department of Defense |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | CA240991 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2029 |
| Title: | Convergent Science Cancer Consortium For Immune Cell Engineering |
| Funding Source: | US Department of Defense |
| Role: | Consult |
| ID: | CA240991 |
| Date: | 2019 - 2021 |
| Title: | Impact of cytosolic material acquisition by macrophages and dendritic cells on the immune response to intracellular pathogens |
| Funding Source: | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | 1R56AI139476-01A1 |
| Title: | OPTIMA: Oncology Precision Trials using Individualized Model Avatars |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | FP00027482 |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified November 26, 2025