Ilona Kryczek, PhD

Dr. Ilona Kryczek is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. An internationally recognized immunologist, Dr. Kryczek’s research focuses on the interplay between the immune system and cancer, with special emphasis on the development of novel immunotherapies for advanced cancers. Her pioneering work explores how immune cells and the tumor microenvironment affect cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Dr. Kryczek’s work has led to over 120 publications in high-impact journals, with more than 34,000 citations, underscoring its substantial influence and recognition within the scientific community. Dr. Kryczek is deeply involved in mentoring the next generation of scientists and is widely sought after as a reviewer and program advisor for leading international funding agencies and journals. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards.

Tumor immunology; regulatory T cells and immune evasion; Th17/Treg balance; stem-like memory T cells; cytokine regulation of cancer stemness; IL-17/IL-22 signaling; tumor immunometabolism; immune checkpoint biology; antigen-presenting cell function; ferroptosis and metabolic regulation of anti-tumor immunity; mechanisms of resistance to cancer immunotherapy; translational immuno-oncology; biomarker discovery and personalized immunotherapy.