Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences2014–2023
Hangang National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Thesis: Mapping Dendritic Cell Heterogeneity Across Chronic Inflammatory Contexts. Advisor: Min-Ho Suh, M.D., Ph.D.
Postdoc Applicant
2026
Type P · Republic of Science
Thomas Shelby
Computational biologist. Single-cell and spatial multi-omics moving into connectome-scale neuroscience.
Profile
Moving from wet-lab immunology into computational neuroscience. I build methods that infer cellular identity, state, and interaction from large, incomplete single-cell and spatial data. My objective is to connect molecular cell identity to circuit structure and function by integrating connectomics with transcriptomics, growing into connectome-constrained circuit models.
Education
M.S., Biomedical Sciences2012–2014
Hangang National University, Seoul
Thesis: Enhanced LPS-Induced Monocyte Activation by Recombinant Human Soluble CD180.
B.S., Genetic Engineering2008–2012
Suwon Institute of Life Sciences, Suwon
Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher2025–2026
Nakdong University Wonju College of Medicine, Physiology / Cellular Systems Research Center
Developed deep-learning multimodal-integration models fusing imaging, transcriptomic, and clinical data into single predictive models.
Associate Director2023–2025
Meridian Immune Therapeutics Inc., Basic Research, Seoul
Built in-house single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis code from scratch; led cross-functional NHP (cynomolgus, marmoset) EAE/MS multi-omic studies; oversaw regulatory documentation for an anti-CD25 humanized-antibody program.
Researcher2019–2021
Xenotransplantation Research Center, HNU, Seoul
Rhesus macaque tissue processing, longitudinal immune monitoring, CNS (brain/spinal cord) tissue handling.
Research Student2020–2023
MOSAIC, Multi-Organ Single-cell Atlas of Immune Cells, HNU
Contributed the founding proposal; executed within the funded program (500+ donors across 6 organs): milestone tracking, multi-site QC, multi-PI coordination.
Selected Publications
18 total17 peer-reviewed6 first / co-first1 under review
01Reyes M*, Shelby T*, Alvarez T*, et al. "Conserved PDE9X short-isoform bias defines pathogenic Th1.17 state across human inflammatory diseases." Nature Immunology IF 27.7 · under review, 2026. UMI-aware BAM-level isoform analysis; scRNA + scTCR + snATAC integration; ML classifier AUC 0.812; 702 samples, 251,055 CD4⁺ T cells.
02Shelby T*, Tanaka Y*, Truong P*, et al. "Immune cell-enriched scRNA-seq unveils infiltrated CD8⁺ T resident memory cells and meningeal lymphatic endothelium in Parkinson's disease." Journal of Neuroimmunology IF 2.9 · 2025. 9,240 cells, 8 immune populations.
03Shelby T*, Delgado J*, Moreau S, et al. "Deciphering Dysfunctional Regulatory T Cells in Vitiligo." Allergy IF 12.6 · 2025.
04Alvarez J*, Shelby T*, et al. "Long-term control of diabetes by a baricitinib-based regimen after allo-islet transplantation in rhesus monkeys." Xenotransplantation IF 3.9 · 2024.
05Novak L*, Shelby T*, et al. "Intra-tumoral heterogeneity and immune escape of melanoma from chronic UV photodamage by spatial gene expression." JEADV IF 9.2 · 2022.
06Shelby T*, et al. "mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppression in allogeneic islet transplantation." Islets IF 2.2 · 2019.
Co-author, selected: eBioMedicine (IF 11.1, 2024) · JEADV (IF 9.2, 2024) · Current Diabetes Reports (IF 4.2, 2021).
Awards, Patents & Scholarships
Anti-CD25 Humanized Antibody (Patent)2024
Immunosuppression w/ PI3K Inhibitor (Patent)2019
Grand Prize, AI Builders Hackathon2024
Grand Prize, Metro Innovation Workathon2023
Best Poster, ATC Chicago2017
NRF Ph.D. · BK21 Plus · HNU Dean's2014–2020