HBF Spotlight: Jacquelyn Zimmerman, MD, PhD

Meet Dr. Jacquelyn Zimmerman!

Dr. Zimmerman is an Assistant Professor of Oncology and an Associate Program Director for Research Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Her field of specialization includes molecular biology and the tumor microenvironment. A 2020 Hopper-Belmont Inspiration Award recipient, Dr. Zimmerman is widely respected for her involvement with the co-culture model of patient-derived organoids and CAFs.

What degrees have you earned, and from which institutions?

B.S. at Louisiana State University; MD/PhD at University of Alabama at Birmingham; Internal Medicine Residency and Medical Oncology Fellowship: John Hopkins University.

What inspired you to pursue cancer research?

I was drawn to cancer research by the complexity of the disease and the urgency of improving outcomes for patients facing life-altering diagnoses. Early in my training, I saw how limited our tools could be for certain cancers, particularly hepatobiliary cancers. I remain motivated by the gap between what patients need and what science and medicine can currently offer.

What inspired you to pursue cancer research?

My entry into cancer research began during graduate training, where I became interested in how molecular mechanisms underlying cancer could be leveraged to inform treatment. My project focused on using a minimally invasive approach to deliver amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields to treat patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. This approach eventually received FDA approval and laid the foundation for a career that integrates mechanistic discovery with clinical relevance. Training in a physician-scientist environment with mentors who have established successful translational oncology careers further solidified my commitment to bench-to-bedside research.

Can you briefly describe your current research focus?

My research focuses on tumor–stromal and immune interactions in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Using patient-derived organoid models, spatial and single-cell technologies, and translational correlative studies, my lab aims to understand how the tumor microenvironment drives therapeutic resistance and to identify strategies to overcome it.

What do you find most exciting or rewarding about your work?

The most rewarding aspect of my work is the prospect of translating scientific insight into improvements in patient care, particularly for cancers with limited effective treatment options. I enjoy working in a collaborative team towards a common goal, while concurrently training students and fellows to approach clinical and scientific questions with rigor, collaboration, and translational intent.

Have you had any key mentors or collaborators who shaped your path?

I am grateful to have had mentors at different stages of my training who shaped both my career path and scientific approach. As an undergraduate student, Dr. Mark Batzer inspired me to pursue a physician–scientist career by demonstrating how rigorous molecular biology could address meaningful biological questions. As a clinical trainee, Dr. Sanjay Desai provided career development mentorship and set an example of exceptional clinical care and clinical leadership. During my postdoctoral training and transition to faculty, Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee and Dr. Dan Laheru provided critical mentorship and support, setting a high standard for multidisciplinary, team-based science and translational impact. Beyond these individuals, I have been supported by a wide network of mentors whose thoughtful feedback and example have continually shaped how I approach science, medicine, and mentorship.

What has been your most meaningful contribution or project?

One of my most meaningful contributions has been developing a convergence framework that integrates patient-derived organoid models with matched clinical and molecular data to study intercellular crosstalk in pancreatic cancer. This approach has enabled multidisciplinary collaboration and created a tractable path to ultimately connect mechanistic insights from experimental systems with real-world patient outcomes.

How do you hope your research will impact cancer care or treatment?

I hope my research will help refine how we select and sequence therapies for patients, particularly those with aggressive cancers that currently lack effective or durable treatment options. By improving our understanding of the tumor microenvironment, I aim to inform treatment strategies that balance efficacy with toxicity and lead to more robust, personalized care.

What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Building a rigorous research program while learning to lead and support a growing team is an ongoing challenge. Growing into my current position, I am modeling approaches used by my mentors and more senior collaborators. I am learning to develop efficient, collaborative research structures, and delegate responsibility intentionally, and create space for trainees to take ownership and develop independence, while prioritizing projects with clear translational relevance and drawing on strong mentorship and team support.

Where do you see your research heading in the next 5–10 years?

Over the next decade, I hope to be increasingly integrated with clinical trials, using patient-derived models and spatial biology to guide therapeutic development. I also hope to expand efforts that bridge computational approaches with experimental systems to better model tumor complexity.

What advice would you give to others just entering the field?

Be intentional about the opportunities you pursue and thoughtful about what each experience can teach you, even when the outcome isn’t what you expected. Seek mentors who are invested not only in your success but also in your growth as a scientist and colleague. Give yourself grace when projects stall or fail, as progress is rarely linear. Not every project will be a home run, but each one can still be valuable if you take the time to reflect and learn from it.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside the lab?

I’m a proud LSU alumna with lasting Tiger loyalties and a love of college sports. Outside the lab, I enjoy the creativity of cooking and experimenting in the kitchen.

All of us at HBF thank Dr. Zimmerman for her innovative and breakthrough approaches to solving the toughest cancer challenges. Importantly, her commitment and support of this Foundation’s mission of recognizing and supporting early career cancer researchers has been, and continues to be, truly appreciated.