Qi Cai, Ph.D.
About Qi Cai, Ph.D.
Qi Cai, Ph.D., is the Director of Cell Biology at Kite Pharma, specializing in adoptive T cell therapy and protein engineering. With extensive experience in cell engineering and innovative technologies, he has held various research positions at prestigious institutions including Stanford University and the University of Southern California.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Qi Cai, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Cell Biology at Kite Pharma since 2020. In this role, he focuses on advancing cell therapy technologies, particularly in the field of immuno-oncology. His responsibilities include overseeing research initiatives and leading projects that develop novel platforms for cell therapy. His expertise in adoptive T cell therapy and protein engineering is integral to Kite Pharma's mission of innovating cancer treatments.
Previous Experience in Academia and Industry
Prior to his current position, Qi Cai held various roles in academia and the biotechnology industry. He worked as a Research Scientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for one year in 2015-2016. He also served as a Visiting Scientist at Stanford University for one month in 2012. His experience includes a five-year tenure as a PhD Research Associate at the University of Southern California from 2002 to 2007 and a three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at UC Berkeley from 2007 to 2010.
Expertise in Cell Biology and Protein Engineering
Qi Cai specializes in adoptive T cell therapy and protein engineering. His technical skills include protein purification and analysis, as well as cell-free protein synthesis. He is experienced in non-viral gene delivery and genome editing techniques. His work also involves cell engineering and the evaluation of innovative technologies, contributing to advancements in synthetic biology.
Career Progression at Kite Pharma
Before becoming the Director of Cell Biology, Qi Cai worked at Kite Pharma as a Senior Scientific Lead from 2017 to 2020. In this position, he contributed to the development of cell therapy products and played a key role in research and development efforts. His career at Kite Pharma reflects a commitment to enhancing therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Educational Background
Qi Cai earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Southern California, where he studied from 2002 to 2007. His educational background laid the foundation for his expertise in cell biology and protein engineering, enabling him to contribute significantly to the fields of synthetic biology and immuno-oncology.