Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
ABOUT SPINA LAB
DR. CATHERINE SPINA
Dr. Catherine Spina is a physician-scientist and radiation oncologist committed to improving cancer outcomes through discovery, innovation, and compassionate care. She completed her MD/PhD training at Boston University and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard, where she trained with systems biology pioneer Dr. Jim Collins. She went on to complete her radiation oncology residency at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, followed by post-doctoral training with immuno-oncologist, Dr. Chuck Drake.
At Columbia University Irving Medical Center, she leads a research lab exploring how radiation shapes the tumor microenvironment to develop new therapies to overcome therapy resistance. Her work has led to novel clinical trials while her lab continues to bridge scientific breakthroughs with patient care. Alongside her research and clinical work, Dr. Spina is also dedicated to building a more inclusive future for our patients and our communities.
Our Vision
The Spina Lab committed to translational oncology defined by innovation, collaboration, and a fearless drive to solve difficult problems. We lead in mechanistic discovery driving the development of combination therapy strategies that include external beam radiation and targeted radiopharmaceuticals. Grounded in curiosity and driven by purpose, our laboratory thrives on the dynamic interplay between bench and bedside, where discovery drives treatment, and real-world clinical challenges ignite new science.
Our Mission
Our mission is to harness the power of collaboration to advance our mechanistic understanding of tumor irradiation. We unite clinical insight with experimental rigor to understand how radiation can amplify the immune system’s ability to fight cancer and investigate mechanisms of resistance. Leveraging advanced technologies to map and manipulate the tumor microenvironment at the single cell level—or forging partnerships that elevate our work—our mission is rooted in curiosity, care, and connection.
Our History
Inspired by a rare clinical case during her residency, Dr. Catherine Spina began investigating how radiation influences not just T cells, but the broader immune environment. Her early research uncovered a key role for myeloid cells and adenosine signaling in suppressing anti-tumor immunity after radiation. This discovery laid the foundation for new combination strategies that pair radiation with immunotherapy, culminating in an ongoing clinical trial for patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer (SBRT-AMICO). Today, the Spina Lab continues to bridge laboratory insights with clinical innovation, advancing the aim of developing combination therapies to overcome radiation resistance and improve patient outcomes.