Fecci Lab
Our research is driven by a singular goal: to create and translate immune-based therapies capable of overcoming the unique biological barriers that render brain tumors resistant to current treatments.
Brain Tumor Research in the Fecci Lab
Fecci Lab leadership includes Peter Fecci, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery with graduate faculty appointments in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, and Pharmacology, and Daniel Wilkinson, PhD Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. Drs Fecci and Wilkinson began their brain tumor research together at Duke University and relocated the lab to the University of Colorado Anschutz in 2025. Together, their research focuses on understanding why immunotherapies that succeed against other more systemic cancers fail in the intracranial compartment, with particular emphasis on tumor-induced T-cell dysfunction, immune sequestration, and antigenic heterogeneity. Knowledge gleaned from their work is in turn utilized to design more rational immune-based cancer platforms.
Work performed in the Fecci Lab has defined key mechanisms of immune failure in glioblastoma and brain metastases, including T-cell exhaustion and bone marrow T cell sequestration. Building on these discoveries, the research team has developed next-generation cellular and multi-specific immune-engager platforms designed to function effectively within the brain tumor microenvironment.
The Fecci Lab strives to develop revolutionary therapies through creative high-risk, high-reward approaches that are applicable to primary and metastatic brain tumors as well as solid tumors in general. By combining mechanistic immunology with translational therapeutic design, the Fecci Lab’s long-term objective is to deliver safe, durable, and broadly applicable immune therapies for patients who otherwise have few effective options.
Research Team
Peter E. Fecci, MD, PhD
Fecci is a highly accomplished surgeon, investigator, and scholar who brings an impressive body of work to CU. He joined the Duke faculty in 2014, after completing internships, residency training, and postdoctoral research at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Fecci graduated from Cornell University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and behavior and earned his MD and PhD degrees at Duke University in 2007.
Daniel Wilkinson, PhD
Daniel Wilkinson, PhD is an Assistant Research Professor in the Fecci Lab. He received his BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina and subsequently received his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from East Carolina University, where his research focused on cellular therapies for Multiple Sclerosis. Daniel then joined the Fecci Lab as a postdoc and developed a passion for T cell-based immunotherapies for brain tumors and other solid tumors. Outside of the lab, Daniel enjoys tennis, pickleball, golf, running, traveling, and spending time with his cats.
Pushpalatha Palle, PhD
Pushpalatha Palle, PhD is a Research Scientist in the Fecci Lab with over 13 years of experience in T cell immunology across autoimmunity and cancer. She earned her PhD in Immunology from the Technical University of Munich, where she investigated the role of toll-like receptors in disease initiation using the EAE model of multiple sclerosis, and further expanded her research training as a visiting scholar at the University of Zurich. She completed postdoctoral training at the Benaroya Research Institute, studying STAT1 signaling and dendritic cell-T cell interactions in autoimmune and tumor settings. Most recently, at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, she worked on adoptive cell therapy and neoantigen-specific T cell screening. In the Fecci Lab, her work centers on advancing translational T cell-based immunotherapies and comprehensive immune characterization to improve therapeutic approaches for glioblastoma. Outside the lab, she enjoys cooking, hiking, getting lost in a good book, and listening to music.
Kristen Kay, PhD
Kristen is a postdoctoral fellow in the Fecci lab. She comes to CU-Anschutz after earning her PhD in molecular medicine at Case Western Reserve University/ Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. Kristen has clinical experience from being a medical technician for a pediatric endocrinologist as well as extensive research experience spanning neuroscience, sensory research, brain cancer, and immunology. She joined the Fecci lab in 2025 to continue her pursuit of innovative immunological treatments/ combinations that can meaningfully extend the expected lifetime of patients with aggressive brain cancer. Kristen is an Aquarius with a fairly green thumb and loves hiking (CO requirement), reading, laughing, and basking in the sun with her cat.
Kathryn Leach
Kathryn Leach is a Biomedical Engineering PhD Candidate in the Fecci Lab. She was first introduced to cancer research during her undergraduate studies where she spent two years investigating how loss of mechanical homeostasis in epithelial cell spheroids may contribute to cancer metastasis. Shortly after completing her BS in Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University in 2024, she joined the Fecci Lab and strives each day to grow as a researcher while working towards improving outcomes for cancer patients. Her project aims to develop innovative cell therapy platforms capable of overcoming tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppression. Beyond the lab, Kathryn enjoys hiking, training for her next triathlon, playing the violin, and trying new recipes and restaurants.
Jeremiah Phares
Jeremiah began his scientific career as an undergrad research assistant at CU Anschutz investigating T cell trafficking in Multiple Sclerosis in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology. He later moved to CU Boulder to specialize in Behavioral Neuroscience, where he utilized advanced neuronal monitoring tools to elucidate the mechanisms of pair-bonding in monogamous prairie voles. After returning to CU AMC, he focused on neurodegeneration and neuropathology. Finally, transitioned into lab leadership upon joining the Fecci Lab. Outside the lab, Jeremiah is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt, a multi-instrumentalist and music producer, he also spends his time exploring National Parks and enjoying anime and games.
