Yanchun Peng

My research focuses on how antigen-specific T cells contribute to the control of viral infections and cancer, using single-cell transcriptomics, multi-omic profiling, and functional immune assays to study immune regulation and cytotoxic T cell mechanisms.

I completed my DPhil in Clinical Medicine at Oxford in 2013, studying HLA-B51–associated HIV-1 viral control. Since then, my work has expanded to include HIV, Hepatitis C, SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and influenza, as well as tumour-reactive T cells in cancers such as lung cancer and melanoma. Together with colleagues, I have established the Human T Cell Bank at the Institute, comprising antigen-specific T cell clones and lines targeting hundreds of viral and tumour antigens.

Alongside my research, I have served as Assistant Director of Graduate Studies at the Institute for the past four years. I also supervise DPhil students across a range of immunology projects. I am committed to mentoring early-career scientists and advancing translational immunology.