Christian Capitini awarded three-year Robert Connor Dawes Foundation Fellowship
The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation awarded Christian Capitini, MD, professor and chief, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy, and acting director at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, the Robert Connor Dawes Award, …
March 25, 2025Pediatric oncologist Christian Capitini appointed to serve as acting director of Carbone Cancer Center
Christian Capitini, MD, professor and chief, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, has been appointed to serve as the acting director of the Carbone Cancer Center. Capitini, who joined the Department of Pediatrics …
December 10, 2024
Six students and their mentors receive undergraduate research fellowships
On May 3, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin hosted the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Awards Ceremony for the 2023-2024 academic year. This year, six students mentored by Department of Pediatrics faculty members were highlighted at the event. Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty …
June 13, 2024
Congratulations to the department’s 18 faculty members who were promoted in 2024
Eighteen faculty members from the Department of Pediatrics were promoted this year. Their new ranks will become effective on June 30, 2024. Below is a list of the individuals who received promotions and their divisions …
June 11, 2024
Celebrating National Doctors’ Day: Department members receive heartfelt appreciation messages
In honor of National Doctors’ Day, celebrated each year on March 30, UW Health gathered messages of gratitude from patients, families, and coworkers to share with its outstanding faculty members. Department of Pediatrics providers received …
June 10, 2024
Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer names paper by Christian Capitini ‘best’ of 2023
The previously published manuscript, “Production and characterization of virus-free, CRISPR-CAR T cells capable of inducing solid tumor regression,” was voted the Best Immune Cell Therapies and Immune Cell Engineering Paper of 2023 by the Journal for …
January 19, 2024
Christian Capitini receives grant to study potency of T cell therapies against cancer
The National Cancer Institute recently granted Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor and chief, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, an R01 award for his project, “Label-free Imaging of CAR T Cell Metabolism.” MPIs …
October 13, 2023Christian Capitini receives ICTR Pilot Award to investigate immunotherapeutics targeting metastatic osteosarcoma
Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor and chief, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, and Sandro Mecozzi, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, were recently awarded a Translational Basic and Clinical Pilot Program award from …
August 18, 2023Christian Capitini will lead Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant as newly named chief
The new academic year will bring a change in leadership for the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant when Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, assumes the role of division chief on July 1. …
June 19, 2023
UW researchers identify cell type that could be key to preventing marrow transplant complication
A bone marrow transplant can be a lifesaving treatment for people with relapsed blood cancers, but a potentially lethal complication known as graft-versus-host disease put limitations on this procedure. New research from the University of …
April 13, 2023
Becky Richards awarded ASH Fellow Scholar Award and NIH K08 grant for research in new CAR T cell therapy
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has awarded Rebecca “Becky” Richards, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, an ASH Fellow Scholar Award of $100,000 for the period October 1, …
February 15, 2023CRISPR-produced CAR T cells could better treat solid tumors
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are biological assassins: white blood cells that are specifically engineered to attack cancer cells. Over the past five years, they’ve become an established therapeutic option for patients with blood …
December 13, 2022Three department members honored with named professorships at the inaugural SMPH Faculty Investiture Ceremony
Named professorships endowed by donors to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) convey both an honor and funds to recipients’ research and other endeavors. On October 12, at the Fluno …
November 2, 2022
Four pediatrics faculty advisors, students receive Hilldale research fellowships
Congratulations to the following faculty and students who were recently awarded Hilldale Faculty/Undergraduate Research Fellowships for the 2022-2023 academic year. The fellowship provides research training and support to undergraduate students, and it provides them the …
July 15, 2022
Medical student Brittany Russell awarded POST grant to study in Capitini Lab
Congratulations to Brittany Russell, a medical student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and her mentor, Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, who were recently awarded a $5,000 Pediatric Oncology Student Training (POST) …
April 25, 2022
Collaborative study from Pediatrics and Medicine part of Best Abstract Session at TCT Conference
A collaborative study by researchers from the University of Wisconsin Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine will be highlighted in the Best Abstract Session of the upcoming Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (TCT) Conference on Monday, April …
April 18, 2022Christian Capitini awarded Hyundai Hope Scholar Grant to improve CAR T-cell therapy
Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with co-investigator Krishanu Saha, PhD, associate professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, were recently awarded a $300,000 Hyundai Hope …
February 8, 2022Christian Capitini and Peiman Hematti awarded new R01 NHLBI grant
Congratulations to Principal Investigator Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with Co-PI Peiman Hematti, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, who were recently awarded a new NIH R01 grant from the National …
September 15, 2021Christian Capitini receives endowed professorship
The Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs has appointed Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, to the Jean R. Finley Professor in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. This endowed professorship is for a five-year term …
August 31, 2021
Christian Capitini awarded pilot grant to study new therapies for pediatric solid tumors
Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with co-investigator Krishanu Saha, PhD, associate professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, were recently awarded a $50,000 grant from …
August 27, 2021Christian Capitini and team awarded UW Research Forward grant
Congratulations to Principal Investigator Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with co-PIs Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, and Reinier Hernandez, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of …
June 22, 2021
Christian Capitini, MD, will collaborate with Saha Lab on new award
Congratulations to Krishanu Saha, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, who will serve as Co-PIs on a new project funded by the UW Grainger Institute for …
May 8, 2021
David Evans, PhD, awarded NIH grant with Christian Capitini, MD
David Evans, PhD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, was recently awarded a new R01 grant from NIH along with Co-Investigator Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant. This five-year award (with Year …
April 30, 2021
Christian Capitini, MD, awarded two UWCCC pilot grants
Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, was recently awarded two separate grants through the 2020-2021 UW Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) Support Grant Pilot Program competition. In the first, Capitini will serve …
April 29, 2021
‘Dream Team’ recognized with AACR Team Science Award
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation-Stand Up 2 Cancer Pediatric Cancer Dream Team, which includes pediatric faculty members Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Ken DeSantes, MD, professor, Mario Otto, MD, PhD, associate professor, and Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, professor, was selected for the American Association …
April 24, 2021
Nicholas Hess, PhD, Wins SCRMC Postdoctoral Training Award
Congratulations to Nicholas Hess, PhD, postdoctoral research associate in the laboratory of mentor Christian Capitini, MD, professor, Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, who was recently awarded a one-year traineeship from the University of Wisconsin Stem Cell …
March 3, 2021
Christian Capitini, MD, Awarded Funding from Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT)
Principal Investigator Krishanu Saha, PhD, department of biomedical engineering, and co-Principal Investigator Christian Capitini, MD, associate professor, Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, along with partners at the University of Georgia, were recently awarded a …
February 23, 2021
Pediatric ‘Dream Team’ Members and Others Recognized with SITC’s Team Science Award
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, Kenneth DeSantes, MD, Amy Erbe-Gurel, PhD, Jacquelyn Hank, PhD, Anna Huttenlocher, MD, Mario Otto, MD, PhD, Alexander Rakhmilevich, MD, PhD, Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, and researchers at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center who were recently recognized …
January 10, 2021Christian Capitini, MD, Awarded ICTR Pilot Grant with Jenny Gumperz, PhD
Congratulations to Principal Investigator Christian Capitini, MD, along with Co-PI Jenny Gumperz, PhD, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, and Fellow Nicholas Hess, PhD, on the funding of their pilot grant entitled, “Uncovering Predictive Cellular …
September 1, 2020
Graduate Student Monica Cho Receives Cancer Biology Training Grant Support
Congratulations to Monica Cho, Graduate Research Assistant in the lab of Christian Capitini, MD, who was recently selected as a Trainee on the National Institutes of Health-funded T32 Cancer Biology Training Grant, directed by Bill …
July 2, 2020What We Published In May 2020
Al Dhaheri N, Wu N, Zhao S, Wu Z, Blank RD, Zhang J, Raggio C, Halanski M, Shen J, Noonan K, Qiu G, Nemeth B, Sund S, Dunwoodie SL, Chapman G, Glurich I, Steiner RD, Wohler …
June 24, 2020Special Honor for Nick Mohrdieck’s St. Baldrick’s Summer Fellowship
Nicholas Mohrdieck, rising senior at the UW, recently received a summer fellow award from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for work in the laboratory of Christian Capitini, MD. As the result of a recent employee giving …
June 12, 2020
Capitini Student Receives Honors Summer Apprentice Award from UW
Congratulations to UW undergraduate student David Turicek, who was awarded a Welton Summer Sophomore Honors Apprenticeship for the project, “Treating post-transplant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with blinatumomab as a radiation sparing immunotherapy.” This project will …
June 1, 2020
Graduate Student Fernanda Szewc Awarded ICTR TL1 Traineeship
Congratulations to Fernanda Szewc, graduate research assistant in the Capitini Laboratory, who was recently appointed to the TL1 Clinical Investigation program supported by the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR). This two-year award …
June 1, 2020
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Awarded to Aicha Quamine
Congratulations to Aicha Quamine, Hematology/Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant Graduate Student in the Capitini Laboratory, who was recently awarded a 2020 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) for her project “Bioengineering and Characterization …
June 1, 2020
Pediatrics Research Week 2020 Abstract Book Now Available
The Pediatrics Research Week 2020 Abstract Book is now available. University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics faculty, staff, fellows and residents submitted over 50 research abstracts for the virtual conference, which is taking place May 26-29, 2020. …
May 21, 2020What We Published in April 2020
1. Ascierto PA, Fox B, Urba W, Anderson AC, Atkins MB, Borden EC, Brahmer J, Butterfield LH, Cesano A, Chen D, de Gruijl T, Dillman RO, Drake CG, Emens LA, Gajewski TF, Gulley JL, Stephen …
May 4, 2020
Save the Date: Virtual Pediatrics Research Week Begins 5/26/20
In response to COVID-19, the Department of Pediatrics’ annual Research Week will offer alternative programming to spotlight the scholarly work from its residents, fellows, faculty and staff. Through a mix of livestreamed lectures and interactive …
April 28, 20202020 St. Baldrick’s Summer Fellowship Awarded to Capitini Lab
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, who was recently awarded a $5,000 Summer Fellowship from the St. Baldricks’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, to fund a student in his lab this …
April 28, 2020
What We Published in March 2020
Coller RJ, Berry JG, Kuo DZ, Kuhlthau K, Chung PJ, Perrin JM, Hoover CG,Warner G, Shelton C, Thompson LR, Garrity B, Stille CJ. Health System Research Priorities for Children and Youth With Special Health Care …
April 16, 2020What We Published in February 2020
The following scholarly articles were published by Department of Pediatrics faculty and staff during February 2020: Affenzeller S, Wolkenstein K, Frauendorf H, Jackson DJ. Challenging the concept that eumelanin is the polymorphic brown banded pigment …
March 5, 2020Travel Grant Awarded to Aicha Quamine
Congratulations to Hematology/Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant Graduate Student, Aicha Quamine, for being selected as recipient of a Graduate Program in Cellular & Molecular Biology (CMB) Travel Award for Fall 2019. Aicha, a student in …
November 4, 2019Dr. Christian Capitini Receives NIH/NCI Grant
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, on his recent one-year supplement of $500,000 to the UW Carbone Cancer Center grant from the National Institutes of Health – National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI). His project, “Image‐guided CAR T …
October 15, 2019
Sean Rinella, MPH, Selected as “40 Under 40 in Cancer”
Sean Rinella, MPH, an ICTR TL1-supported PhD student, working with mentorship from Christian Capitini, MD and Mario Otto, MD, PhD in their labs, has been selected as one of “40 Under 40 in Cancer” for …
June 5, 2019Four Students Mentored by Pediatrics Faculty Named Hilldale Fellows
Four UW-Madison undergraduate students mentored by Department of Pediatrics faculty received 2019 Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellows. The fellowships include a stipend to each student and to their faculty advisers. Adeela Ali (major: Pharmacology & Toxicology; mentor: Christian Capitini, MD) …
May 1, 2019Five Pediatrics Faculty Members Accepted to SPR
In 2018, five Department of Pediatrics faculty members were accepted as members of the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR). SPR’s mission is to create a network of multidisciplinary researchers to improve child health. Specifically, it …
January 1, 2019Drs. Christian Capitini, David McCulley Named Odell Award Winners for 2018 and 2019
Two Department of Pediatrics faculty – Christian Capitini, MD (Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant) and David McCulley, MD (Assistant Professor, Division of Neonatology and Newborn Nursery) – have been named …
January 1, 2019A Combined Strategy to Treat Neuroblastoma
A new preclinical research project led by Department of Pediatrics Assistant Professor Christian Capitini, MD, aims to strengthen the pipeline of immunotherapy treatment approaches for neuroblastoma, the third most common type of childhood cancer. The …
September 5, 2018Christian Capitini, MD, Awarded National Cancer Institute Funding
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, and Co-Investigator Sean Fain, PhD, who were recently awarded a 5-year grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI) for their project entitled, “Combining hu14.18-IL2 and NK cell …
August 1, 2018Stand Up to Cancer-St. Baldrick’s Pediatric Dream Team Award Renewed
Congratulations to Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator, and the UW Pediatric Dream Team, for their renewal funding through the Stand Up to Cancer-St. Baldrick’s Pediatric Dream Team Translational Cancer Research Award, supported by the …
July 1, 2018Christian Capitini, MD, Awarded Research Scholar Grant from American Cancer Society
Christian Capitini, MD, along with Co-Investigators Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, and Sean Fain, PhD (Medical Physics), were recently awarded a four-year, Research Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS), for the project entitled, “Ex …
May 1, 2018Summer Student Fellowship Awarded to Capitini Laboratory
Congratulations to Katharine Tippins, medical student, and her mentor, Christian Capitini, MD, for receiving a Summer Student Fellowship from St. Baldrick’s Foundation in the amount of $5,000. This 4-month Summer Fellowship is for her project …
April 1, 2018Christian Capitini, MD, Receives Grant from the UW Carbone Cancer Center
Christian Capitini, MD, Principal Investigator, along with UW Co-Principal Investigator Krishanu Saha, PhD (Biomedical Engineering), were recently awarded a one-year $50,000 grant for their project, “Optimization of CD19 CAR NK cells for B cell leukemia,” …
February 1, 2018American Family Children’s Hospital First in Wisconsin to Offer Newly-Approved CAR-T Leukemia Therapy
A unique new therapy for children and young adults with a particular form of leukemia received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on August 30, 2017. American Family Children’s Hospital will be one of a …
August 1, 2017MACC Fund Awards 9 Grants
The Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund has funded each of nine separate grant requests made by the Departments of Pediatrics and Human Oncology. This marks the 40th year of the MACC Fund, and …
June 1, 2017Krishanu Saha, PhD, Christian Capitini, MD, and David Beebe, PhD, Awarded NSF Grant
Congratulations to Krishanu Saha, Principal Investigator, UW Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Co-Principal Investigators Christian Capitini and David Beebe (Department of Biomedical Engineering), on funding of their National Science Foundation (NSF) proposal entitled, “EAGER BIOMANUFACTURING: …
July 1, 2016Christian Capitini, MD Receives St. Baldrick’s Summer Fellowship to fund Medical Student
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, who was recently awarded a $5,000 Summer Fellowship from the St. Baldricks’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, to fund a student in his lab this …
May 1, 2016Nine Students and Mentors Chosen by the Shapiro Summer Research Program
The following nine students and their mentors were recently awarded Shapiro Summer Research Awards. The Shapiro Summer Research Program provides opportunities for first-year medical students to participate in eight- to 12-week summer research projects with …
April 1, 2016UW Research Team Moves Cancer Immunotherapy Another Step Ahead
Myriam N. Bouchlaka, PhD, and Christian Capitini, MD, are authors on a new study that provides a key step in monitoring if, and how, the body’s own cancer-killing components are working during immunotherapy. So-called natural …
March 1, 2016Christian Capitini, MD, Receives Graduate School Fall Competition Award
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, who was recently awarded a one-year grant from the UW Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education for his project entitled, “Enhancing the graft-versus-tumor effect against neuroblastoma.” …
January 1, 2016A New Approach to Leukemia Immunotherapy
Career development awards from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and the National Institutes of Health are helping Christian Capitini, MD, in his quest for a new immunotherapy treatment for leukemia. Reprogramming …
September 1, 2015Christian Capitini, MD, Receives Vilas Award
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, for winning a Vilas Faculty Early Career Investigator Award from the UW Provost Office. This award, which provides $50,000 in flexible research funds for his laboratory, will be used for …
May 1, 2015Christian Capitini, MD, and Medical Student Receive Second Summer Research Award
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, and Medical Student Tara Gavcovich from George Washington University School of Medicine, for their recent grant of $5,000 to support summer research in Dr. Capitini’s Lab. This HONORS (Hematology Opportunities …
May 1, 2015Top Abstract Award Given to Christian Capitini, MD
Christian Capitini, MD, was awarded a certificate and $1000 in flexible research funds for his laboratory at the First Annual Immuno-oncology Young Investigator’s Forum in Chicago, IL in May. Dr. Capitini presented one of the …
May 1, 2015Christian Capitini, MD, Leads ‘Breakthrough’ Leukemia Trial
Christian Capitini, MD, is leading a new clinical trial that will test a promising method of immunotherapy for children with relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The multi-site trial just opened at the University of Wisconsin …
February 1, 2015Drs. Capitini and Cengiz Awarded Pilot Grants From UW-ICTR
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, and Pelin Cengiz, MD, who were both awarded $50,000 pilot grants from the UW-ICTR, funded by NIH-NCATS UL1 TR0000427. Christian Capitini, MD is collaborating with Peiman Hematti, MD (Medicine-Hematology/Oncology), on …
June 1, 2014Christian Capitini, MD, Receives NIH-NCI Award
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD on receiving a National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI) Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) for his project entitled “Inhibiting STAT1 as a novel graft-versus-host/graft-versus-leukemia therapy”. This …
May 1, 2014Myriam Bouchlaka, PhD, Receives Cayman’s Women in Research Travel Grant
Congratulations to Myriam Bouchlaka, PhD, (Capitini lab) for getting the $250 Cayman’s Women in Research Travel Grant for her abstract that will be presented at the 2014 American Association for Immunologists Annual Meeting. Nice work …
April 1, 2014Christian Capitini, MD, Earns Early Career Faculty Travel Grant from the American Association of Immunologists
Christian Capitini, MD, recently earned a $1250 Early Career Faculty Travel Grant from the American Association of Immunologists for his abstract entitled “19F-MRI for tracking NK Cells after adoptive transfer” at their 2014 annual meeting. …
March 1, 2014Medical Student Receives St. Baldrick’s Summer Fellowship
Matthew Kutz, a medical student and Shapiro Summer Research Fellow working in the laboratory of Christian Capitini, MD, was recently awarded a St. Baldrick’s Summer Fellowship. This $5000 award is for his project “Monitoring of …
May 1, 2013Pediatrics Faculty and Scientists Named to Cancer ‘Dream Team’
Six Department of Pediatrics faculty and scientists are part of a national pediatric cancer research “Dream Team” that was awarded a multimillion dollar grant to develop new therapies for high-risk childhood cancers. Team members from …
April 1, 2013Dr. Christian Capitini Awarded UWCCC Funding
Dr. Christian Capitini has received an award of $48,942 from the UWCCC to pursue pilot studies of “Monitoring of 19F-labeled NK cell trafficking for cancer immunotherapy using MRI”. This work is developing a new way …
August 1, 2012Dr. Christian Capitini Accepted into the University of Wisconsin Centennial Scholars Program
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, for his acceptance into the University of Wisconsin Centennial Scholars Program. This program provides a 3-year award of $75,000/year + fringe benefits and offers at least 50% protected research time. …
March 1, 2012Christian Capitini, MD, Selected as a Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels 2011 Scholar Grant Recipient
Congratulations to Christian Capitini, MD, who was selected as a recipient of Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels 2011 Scholar Grant. This $50,000 award is for Dr. Capitini’s 1-year project, “Development of STAT1 inhibitors for treating pediatric …
August 1, 2011