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ScholarsBetaWeill Cornell Medicine

Overview

Dr. Villena’s main research interests lie in the field of Immuno-oncology and Immunotherapy. His previous  research was on investigation of the tumor immune microenvironment and the development of T-cell‒mediated immunotherapy for thoracic malignancies.  His current translational research is focusing on novel immunotherapy strategies for resectable lung cancer in preclinical models with immediate clinical applications.

Highlights

  1. 1
    The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · 2022
    JVJonathan Villena-VargasOCOliver ChowBEBenjamin E LeeSWSebron Wood Harrison+1 more →NKNasser K Altorki
    PMID: 35459540PMCID: PMC8885108DOIFirst author16 citations
  2. 2
    Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology · 2021
    JVJonathan Villena-VargasSLStephanie L. MickESEugene Shostak
    PMID: 34546194DOIFirst author2 citations
  3. 3
    European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery · 2026
    JCJesse CodnerBEBenjamin E LeeJLJeffrey L PortJVJonathan Villena-Vargas
    PMID: 41660862DOIeCommonsSenior author1 citations

Publications

54 publications

Funding

10 grantsView NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

5 grants
  • MPI
    Autologous Lymph Node T Cells Engineered to Overcome Treatment Resistant Lung Cancer
    National Cancer Institute · 2026–2028
    R21CA317270-01
  • Co-I
    PICI Grant and Main Collaboration Agreement with Multiple Subprojects
    Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy · 2024–2028
    PICI 235170-03
  • PI
    Exploiting a Clonal Archive of Tumor-Reactive T Cells in the Lymph Nodes to Overcome Treatment-Resistant Lung Cancer
    Gilead Sciences, Inc. · 2026–2028
    GS 255926-01
  • PI
    Genetically engineered stem cell like T cells for the treatment of NSCLC
    American Association for Thoracic Surgery · 2024–2026
    AATS 235502-02
  • PI
    Evaluating Lymph Node T Cell "Clonal Replacement" in a Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant SBRT plus Cemiplimab versus Chemotherapy plus Cemiplimab in Resectable NSCLC
    WCM Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center · 2025–2026
    MCC CTIF 250906-01
Completed grants (5)
  • PI
    T cells selected from lymph node acquisition for adoptive cell treatment of solid tumors
    Daedalus Fund for Innovation (Weill Cornell) · 2024–2025BioPharma Alliance
    BP 242177-01
  • PI
    Characterizing T cell PD-1 response in the tumor draining lymph nodes of early-stage NSCLC patients
    International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer · 2023–2025
    IA 230418-02
  • KP
    Intercepting progression from pre-invasive to invasive lung adenocarcinoma
    National Cancer Institute · 2022–2025
    UH3CA244697-05S1
  • PI
    Tumor draining lymph node immunomodulation to decrease recurrence in NSCLC
    LUNGevity Foundation · 2022–2024
    LF 2022-13
  • KP
    Intercepting progression from pre-invasive to invasive lung adenocarcinoma
    National Cancer Institute · 2020–2021
    UG3CA244697-02S1

Clinical research

2 studies

Active

2 studies
  • PI
    Association Between PD-L1 Expression in Benign Regional Lymph Nodes and Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)
  • PI
    Mechanism of T-cell memory differentiation in a lung cancer model and the role of PD-1 blockade on the tumor draining lymph nodes of NSCLC patients
    Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2024)

News mentions

2 mentionsView all WCM news ↗

Media highlights

4 clips

Mentoring

3 menteesAll publications with mentees →

External relationships

Other

Intuitive Surgical, Inc