This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 29 for UNMC’s 2026 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator recipients.
Jennifer Bailey-Lundberg, PhD, will receive a Distinguished Scientist Award. Distinguished Scientist Awards, which are sponsored by the chancellor, recognize researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Name: Jennifer Bailey-Lundberg, PhD
- Title: Associate professor, UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, UNMC College of Medicine
- Joined UNMC: 2024
- Hometown: Omaha
Please describe your research focus in three words or less:
- Translational cancer immunology
Why is research important in the world today?
Research transforms unanswered questions into knowledge and knowledge into new approaches to prevent and treat disease. Scientific progress depends on rigorous inquiry, reproducibility, collaboration, and a willingness to challenge existing assumptions. Researchers have a responsibility to communicate evidence clearly, acknowledge uncertainty, and remain open to new ideas. Ultimately, research advances what we can do for patients and future generations.
My research will make a difference because:
My research explores how interactions between cancer cells, the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment influence inflammation, tumor development, and response to therapy, particularly in pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers. By integrating studies of patient specimens and clinical trials with complementary preclinical models, our team seeks to define mechanisms of immune suppression and identify strategies to enhance antitumor immunity. We are particularly interested in understanding how immune signaling pathways can be modulated to improve cancer prevention and treatment. Our goal is to translate these discoveries into more effective therapies for patients while advancing fundamental understanding of cancer biology.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Be a good steward of the people, resources and opportunities entrusted to you.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- My parents taught me the value of hard work, faith, and servant leadership.
- My husband and sons love to fish, so I’m relearning how to fish alongside them.
- Running is one of my favorite ways to think through challenging problems.