Bechara Mfarrej

I wanted to take the research track in the field of immunology after being inspired by a university professor. I worked in the insurance domain in Beirut, Lebanon to cover my study expenses; the experience enriched my management and people skills. I took the opportunity to join the Sayegh lab in Boston (MA) and worked for 4 years in basic science and translational research in transplant immunology. The experience built my technical skill set, communication and networking capacities as well as my track record. I moved to Munich, Germany for family reasons where I worked for 1.5 years in a research lab dealing with the implications of ischemia/reperfusion injury in transplantation. I then moved to Milano, Italy as a Marie Curie Actions fellow, to join the Roncarolo/Battaglia labs preparing for a T regulatory cell therapy trial in kidney transplantation. Over 3.5 years, my scope of translational immunology expanded, learning more about building the bridge between bench and bedside. Since 2016, I hold the position of Research and Development Engineer working on ATMPs within the cancer immunotherapy context at Institut Paoli Calmettes in Marseille, France. Walking along the track of translational research is where I am now, carrying a significant transplant immunology and cell therapy background and record, a large network of contacts, and good people skills. My goal is to grow further in the field of immunotherapy.