Helen Tunbridge
About Helen Tunbridge
Helen Tunbridge is a Senior Research Scientist at Adaptimmune, where she has worked since 2015. She specializes in developing organotypic models and assessing the safety of SPEAR T cells, drawing on her extensive academic background in immunology and biomedical sciences.
Work at Adaptimmune
Helen Tunbridge has served as a Senior Research Scientist at Adaptimmune since 2015. In her role, she is part of the Pipeline and Preclinical Group, where she develops organotypic models that aim to better represent normal human biology. Her work focuses on assessing the safety and potency of SPEAR T cells, which are a key component of Adaptimmune's proprietary technology. Tunbridge engages in safety testing of these SPEAR T cells as part of preclinical safety packages, contributing to the advancement of therapeutic options in immunotherapy.
Education and Expertise
Helen Tunbridge holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Immunology from the University of Bristol, where she studied from 2011 to 2015. Prior to this, she earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Southampton, completing her studies from 2007 to 2011. Her educational background provides a strong foundation in immunological research, which she applies in her current role. Tunbridge has a particular interest in live and fixed cell imaging techniques, enhancing her research capabilities.
Background
Helen Tunbridge began her academic journey at Liskeard School and Community College, where she studied from 2000 to 2007. Following her secondary education, she pursued a degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Southampton. After completing her undergraduate studies, she undertook a PhD at the University of Bristol, where she focused on immunology. Before joining Adaptimmune, she worked as a PhD student at the University of Bristol and completed an industrial placement at GSK from 2009 to 2010.
Research Focus
Helen Tunbridge's research encompasses several areas, including immunological tolerance in autoimmunity and cancer research. She employs various techniques to investigate these topics, particularly focusing on the safety and efficacy of SPEAR T cells. Her work contributes to the understanding of how these cells can be utilized in therapeutic contexts, particularly in the treatment of cancer. Tunbridge's expertise in developing organotypic models aids in creating more accurate representations of human biological systems for research purposes.