We Build Teams That Win: Advancing Innovation and Developing NextGen Scientists Through ImmunoTech Research
May 12, 2026
An LSU group is conducting cutting-edge research in fields like immunotherapy of infection and cancer, while also strengthening training and advanced research development.
The LSU ImmunoTech Group, recognized at a recent LSU Baseball game, for advancing research, innovation, and student success at LSU.
– Photo from LSU Athletics
Founded in 2024 by LSU School of Veterinary Medicine faculty Weishan Huang and Gianluca Veggiani, and later joined by Shang Su, the LSU ImmunoTech Group represents the university’s first coordinated academic team focused on protein engineering and T cell immunotherapy.
Combining members' expertise, this team created an impactful program that not only advances LSU’s research profile through translational research to develop novel therapies for deadly infectious diseases and cancer but also trains and mentors the next generation of scientists.
The ImmunoTech Group is made up of:
- Weishan Huang, associate professor in Pathobiological Sciences
- Gianluca Veggiani, assistant professor in Pathobiological Sciences
- Shang Su, assistant professor in Comparative Biomedical Sciences
- As well as postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduate students, and a research coordinator.
“Our combined expertise and team-based training model constitute a unique institutional asset—one that is not currently available elsewhere in Louisiana—and one that meaningfully improves the student and trainee experience through high-impact research, mentorship, and professional development,” Huang said.
For its work advancing innovation, collaboration, and student development, the team was recognized through LSU’s We Build Teams That Win employee recognition program during the LSU-Tulane baseball game.
The ImmunoTech Group’s research spans immunology, cancer, and vaccinology, using methods such as genetic engineering, protein sciences, and cell-based therapeutic development. The team secured Louisiana's first NCI grant for CAR-T therapy and built a research and training platform that integrates advanced methods, including genetic engineering, phage display-based antibody discovery, marker discovery, and innovative therapeutic development.
Their work is supported by major funding sources, including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense, reflecting the program's impact and continued growth.
What sets the group apart is its ability to reach different departments and labs, gaining exposure across a wide range of perspectives and techniques. Through structured seminars, hands-on training, and mentorship, students are developing the skills needed to succeed in highly competitive scientific fields.
The impact of the ImmunoTech Group extends beyond its immediate team. By sharing knowledge, research methods, and mentorship across departments, the group strengthens LSU’s overall research capacity and pushes a culture of community and collaboration. At the state level, their work is helping build a pipeline of immunoengineering talent and creating opportunities for students to gain high-level experience without leaving Louisiana.
Through innovation, teamwork, and a focus on student success, the LSU ImmunoTech Group is advancing science and preparing students to make an impact in their fields. Its work reflects LSU’s commitment to building teams that not only advance knowledge but also invest in the people who will shape the future.