Research groups
Hala Estephan
PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Research Summary
My research specialises in immunopeptidomics, antigen presentation, and the regulation of MHC class I expression in hypoxic conditions. I investigate how tumours evade immune surveillance in low-oxygen microenvironments, with the aim of enhancing immunotherapy and cancer treatment by targeting hypoxia-driven changes in antigen presentation.
BioGraphy
Hala completed her PhD in Oncology and Radiobiology from the University of Nantes, France, where she investigated the role of ceramide and acid sphingomyelinase in modulating endothelial cell responses to radiotherapy. Prior to that, she completed an MSc in Oncology and a BSc in Biochemistry at the Lebanese University. She joined the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford as a postdoctoral researcher, working with both Professors Amato Giaccia and Ester Hammond's groups. Hala is currently the postdoc representative of the Department of Oncology in the Medical Sciences Division and and an active member of the Oncology Researchers Network. She has been awarded the Excellence Award from the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford for two consecutive years (2022-2024).
Key publications
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Hypoxia-mediated regulation of DDX5 through decreased chromatin accessibility and post-translational targeting restricts R-loop accumulation
Preprint
Leszczynska K. et al, (2022)
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Ionizing Radiation Drives Key Regulators of Antigen Presentation and a Global Expansion of the Immunopeptidome.
Journal article
Tailor A. et al, (2022), Mol Cell Proteomics, 21
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Hypoxia promotes tumor immune evasion by suppressing MHC-I expression and antigen presentation.
Journal article
Estephan H. et al, (2025), EMBO J