Principle Investigator

Dr. Ellebrecht received his MD from the University of Lübeck, Germany. He subsequently completed a research fellowship in the Payne lab, where he invented the chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) T cell concept and advanced several additional cellular immunotherapy technologies that have been licensed to industry partners. He completed his dermatologic residency at the University of Pennsylvania’s 2+2 Physician Scientist track. When he is not in lab, he can be found reading the New York Times, running half marathons, or hiking with his wife and two Shih Tzu pups.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Corbett is a Penn dermatology resident and postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Dermatology. He received his BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western and his MD/PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University. His dissertation focused on understanding how dynamic intracellular calcium signals regulate transcriptional networks and cell fate in lymphocytes. In the dermatology clinic, Corbett is most interested in treating and advancing our understanding of inflammatory and autoimmune skin disease. In the Ellebrecht lab, Corbett plans to study asymmetric T cell division in hopes of identifying new mechanisms for treating autoimmune disease and cancer. In his free time, Corbett spends as much time as possible with his family including his wife and two adorable boys.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Sisi joined the lab as a postdoctoral fellow in 2022, after receiving her PhD from Zhejiang University, where she studied allergy, immunology, and engineered cell therapy. In the Ellebrecht lab, Sisi hopes to study the mechanisms of asymmetric T-cell division and the advancement of engineered cell therapy. Outside the lab, Sisi likes to explore Philly and FaceTime with her boyfriend.

PhD Graduate Student

Caitlin is a PhD student at Penn who received her BSE/MSE in bioengineering from Penn in 2022. For her BSE/MSE, she concentrated in cellular engineering and worked in the Mitchell lab, where she synthesized lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of mRNA for cancer therapies. In the Ellebrecht lab, Caitlin hopes to study methods for regulating cell therapies in autoimmune diseases. In her free time, she enjoys playing instruments and discovering new restaurants in Philly.

PhD Graduate Student

Reid is an Immunology PhD student at Penn who received his BS in biology from Caltech in 2023. During his BS, he studied intercellular mitochondrial transfer, synthetic embryos, and embryo implantation. In the Ellebrecht lab, Reid hopes to investigate how aging is regulated by DNA damage and repair in T cells. In his free time he can be found in the gym, hunting for vintage furniture, or riding his electric longboard around Center City.

PhD Graduate Student

Jake is an Immunology PhD Student at Penn who received his BS in Biochemistry from Muhlenberg College in 2020. After completing his studies, he worked as a research technician in the van den Brink Lab where he published and patented work on technologies to enable broad antigen targeting in CAR T cells. In the Ellebrecht Lab, Jake hopes to develop technologies to further advance the capabilities of CAR T immunotherapy and better understand lymphocyte biology. Outside the lab, he enjoys cooking and exploring Philadelphia's vibrant food scene.

Undergraduate Researcher

Yvonne is a Penn undergraduate majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology, with additional interests in Chemistry and Neuroscience. Combining her fervent interest in immunology with her past research experiences in synthetic biology, she hopes to study the mechanisms and contribute to the advancements of cellular immunotherapies. Outside of the lab, you can find her listening to music, lifting at the gym, teaching swimming, or singing with her acapella group!

Type II Collagen Connoisseurs

Sweet Harkness and Petunia don’t understand much science, but they are forever supportive of Dr. Ellebrecht’s endeavors! Always up for a hike and some belly rubs.