Erik Sampson
About Erik Sampson
Erik Sampson serves as the Associate Director of Immuno-Oncology at Rome Therapeutics, where he co-leads programs aimed at restoring immune balance in inflammatory conditions. He has extensive experience in developing biomarker assays and cell-based assays, with a strong academic background in pathology and cancer biology.
Current Role at Rome Therapeutics
Erik Sampson serves as the Associate Director of Immuno-Oncology at Rome Therapeutics, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is responsible for leading a targeted large molecule program aimed at restoring local immune homeostasis for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune hepatitis. He also oversees the establishment of primary cellular potency assays for multiple bi-specific immunology programs, demonstrating his expertise in the development of immunology cell-based assays.
Education and Expertise
Erik Sampson has an extensive educational background in the medical and biological sciences. He earned a Master of Science in Pathology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he studied from 1998 to 2002. He further advanced his education by obtaining a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the same institution, completing his studies from 2002 to 2006. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Washington and Lee University, which he attended from 1993 to 1997. His educational foundation supports his comprehensive expertise in developing immunology cell-based assays.
Professional Experience
Prior to his current role, Erik Sampson held several significant positions in the field of immunology and cancer research. He worked as a Senior Scientist at AbbVie from 2013 to 2017, where he contributed to various immunology programs. Before that, he served as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center from 2006 to 2011. His early career included a role as a Research Assistant at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1997 to 1998. These experiences have equipped him with a robust understanding of immunology and research methodologies.
Key Contributions to Research
Erik Sampson has made significant contributions to the field of immunology through his work on biomarker assays and immunology programs. At Rome Therapeutics, he established whole blood and solid tissue-based biomarker assays for multiple small molecule preclinical programs. His leadership extends to guiding a group of in vitro pharmacologists and acting as a target champion for a small molecule program focused on inflammatory bowel disease. His work emphasizes the importance of developing effective assays and programs in advancing immunotherapy.