Mohamed Khalil, PhD

Memory NK cells, immunotherapy, viral immuno-oncology, bioinformatics, and transcriptomics

Research Experience

Medical College of Wisconsin, 2024-Present
Advisors: Subramaniam Malarkannan, PhD & Jennifer Bruening, MD
Project: Profiling the Gene Expression and Activity of NK Cells in Head and Neck Cancer

Medical College of Wisconsin, 2020-2024
Advisors: Subramaniam Malarkannan, PhD and Scott Terhune, PhD
Project: Defining Memory NK cell development and functions following cytomegalovirus infection (TL1TR001437)

Illinois State University, 2015-2016
Advisor: Andres Vidal-Gadea, PhD
Project: Demonstrated that the nematode C. elegans is a viable system to study both the molecular and neuronal aspects of Angelman Syndrome

Illinois State University, 2014-2015
Advisor: Andres Vidal-Gadea, PhD
Project: Identify molecular machinery responsible for C. elegans ability to detect and orient to magnetic fields 

Publications

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Fetal natural killer cells play an essential immunoprotective role in preventing the onset of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 2025;9(s1). doi: 10.1017/cts.2024.1054.

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Memory NK cells persist within the human spleen and undergo robust expansion and recall responses following exposure to the HCMV gpUL40 antigen peptide. Blood (2024)144 (Supplement 1): 2535. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2024-193317.

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Utilization of memory NKG2CHI NK cells to target viral antigen peptides demonstrates a novel cellular immunotherapy strategy. Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer 12: A476-A476. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2024-SITC2024.0419

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single cell transcriptomes from fetuses exposed to HCMV during gestation reveals a distinct subset of memory-like NKG2C+ NK cells. Journal of Immunology 212:0973_5967-0973_5967 doi: 10.4049/jimmmunol.212.Supp.0973.5967

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Characterizing the single-cell transcriptomes of fetal NK cells isolated from the umbilical cord of fetuses exposed to human cytomegalovirus during gestation. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 2024;8(s1). doi: 10.1017/cts.2024.333.

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Human Cytomegalovirus Infection Promotes the Formation of NKG2CHi Memory NK Cells That Express Elevated Levels of IL-7R and Cyto-CD3ε. Blood 2023:142 (Supplement 1): 2554. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2023-174570.

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single cell transcriptomes from HCMV+ donors reveal a unique NKG2CHi subset that represents true memory NK cells. Journal of Immunology 2023;244.01 doi: 10.104049/jimmmunol.210.Supp.244.01.

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Defining the single-cell transcriptomes of splenic adaptive Natural Killer cells in donors with latent human cytomegalovirus infection. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science 2023;80. doi: 10.1017/cts.2023.326.

Khalil M & Malarkannan S. Innatus Immunis: Evolving paradigm of adaptive NK cells. Journal of Experimental Medicine 2022;1254. doi: 10.1084/jem.20221254.

Khalil M, Mei A, Hashemi E, Wang D, Schumacher M, Terhune S, Malarkannan S. Method to Study Adaptive NK Cells Following MCMV Infections. Methods in Molecular Biology 2022;2463:195-204. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2160-8_14.

Wang D, Burns R, Khalil M, Mei A, Hashemi E, Malarkannan S. Methods to Analyze the Developmental Trajectory of Human Primary NK Cells Using Monocle and SCENIC Analyses. Methods in Molecular Biology 2022;2463:81-102. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2160-8_7.

Mei A, Hashemi E, Khalil M, Wang D, Malarkannan S. Isolation of Innate Lymphoid Cells from Murine Intestinal Lamina Propria. Methods in Molecular Biology 2022;2463:3-9. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-21608_1.

Hashemi E, Mei A, Wang D, Khalil M, Malarkannan S. Methods for Isolating and Defining Single-Cell Transcriptomes of Tissue-Resident Human NK Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology 2022;2463:103116. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2160-8_8.

Khalil M, Wang D, Hashemi E, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Implications of a 'Third Signal' in NK Cells. Cells. 2021 Jul 31;10(8):1955. doi: 10.3390/cells10081955.

Meeting Abstracts

Khalil M & Malarkannan S. Memory NKG2C+ NK cells develop from NKG2C+ transitional precursors and persist within secondary lymphoid organs. American Society of Hematology. Orlando, FL. December 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon A, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S. Memory NKG2C+ NK cells serve as vital immunoprotectors in regional lymph nodes limiting metastasis in head and neck cancers. Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. National Harbor, MD. November 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon A, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S. Immune profiling of natural killer cells in metastatic and non-metastatic regional lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Wisconsin Science Education and Research Consortium. LaCrosse, WI. November 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon A, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S. Protective role of Memory NK cells in managing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. Autumn Immunology Conference. Chicago, IL. November 2025 [Oral]

Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon A, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S. Transcriptional profiling of natural killer cells reveals dysfunction and immune suppression in metastatic HNSCC. American Academy of Otolaryngology 2025 Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, IN. October 2025 [Poster]

Memon A, Khalil M, Espinosa O, Kuehn R, Frei A, Foeckler J, Awan M, Himburg H, Zenga J. CD137 activation-induced T cell assay for TCR-engineered therapy in head and neck cancer. American Academy of Otolaryngology 2025 Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, IN. October 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. In Utero Cytomegalovirus Infection Shapes Fetal NK Cell Maturation and Antigen-Specific Recall Capacity. American College of Physicians Wisconsin Chapter Scientific Meeting. Wisconsin Dells, WI. September 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon A, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S. Transcriptional profiling reveals NK cell dysfunction and suppression in metastatic HNSCC lymph nodes. Center for Immunology, Immunology Scientific Retreat. Milwaukee, WI. June 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Fetal Natural Killer cells play an essential immunoprotective role in preventing the onset of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus. Association for Clinical and Translation Sciences. Washington, D.C. April 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon A, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S. Transcriptional and functional profiling of natural killer cells in metastatic and non-metastatic regional lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. MCW Cancer Center Symposium. Milwaukee, WI. April 2025 [Oral]

Khalil M, Hashemi E, Memon A, Zenga J, Bruening J, Malarkannan S. Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies NK cell dysregulation and immune suppression in metastatic HNSCC lymph nodes. Graduate School Symposium. Milwaukee, WI. March 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. The utilization of Memory NKG2CHi NK cells to target viral antigen peptides represents a novel approach in cellular immunotherapy. MCW Research Week. Wauwatosa, WI. March 2025 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Memory NK cells persist within the human spleen and undergo robust expansion and recall responses following exposure to the HCMV gpUL40 antigen peptide. American Society of Hematology. San Diego, CA. December 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Fetal NKG2C+ NK cells may play a protective role in preventing symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Graduate School Symposium. Milwaukee, WI. November 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Long-lived Memory NKG2CHi NK cells are regulated by unique transcriptional networks and exhibit a strong recall response to the HCMV gpUL40 antigen peptide. Autumn Immunology Conference. Chicago, IL. November 2024 [Oral]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Utilization of Memory NKG2CHi NK cells to target viral antigen peptides demonstrates a novel cellular immunotherapy strategy. Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. Huston, TX. November 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Fetal NK cells serve an immunoprotective role in preventing the development of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus. MCW Medical Scientist Training Program Retreat. Wauwatosa, WI. October 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Fetal NKG2CHi natural killer cells can provide a protective role against the development of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus. Wisconsin Science Education and Research Consortium. Milwaukee, WI. October 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Unraveling the fetal Immune response during congenital cytomegalovirus infection. American College of Physicians Wisconsin Chapter Scientific Meeting. Wisconsin Dells, WI. September 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Human spleen serves as an environment for the persistence of long-lived Memory NKG2CHi NK cells capable of eliciting a robust recall response. 14th Annual Center for Immunology, Immunology Scientific Retreat. Milwaukee, WI. June 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single cell transcriptomes from fetuses exposed to HCMV during gestation reveals a distinct subset of memory-like NKG2C+ fetal NK cells. American Association of Immunologist 2024. Chicago, IL. May 2024 [Oral]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Characterizing the single-cell transcriptomes of fetal NK cells isolated from the umbilical cord of fetuses exposed to human cytomegalovirus during gestation. Association for Clinical and Translation Sciences. Las Vegas, NV. April 2024 [Oral]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. The single-cell transcriptomes of fetal NK cells unveil a distinctive subset crucial for the management of congenital cytomegalovirus infection. All Things Data Science Symposium. Milwaukee, WI. April 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single-cell transcriptomes of fetal NK cells reveal a unique NKG2CHi population that helps fetus manage congenital cytomegalovirus infection. MCW Research Week. Wauwatosa, WI. March 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Transcriptomic profiling of fetal NK cells derived from the umbilical cord of fetuses exposed to human cytomegalovirus during gestation. Department of Medicine. Wauwatosa, WI. March 2024 [Poster]

Ishaq A, Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single cell profiling reveals a unique Ly49HHi memory like NK subset during MCMV infection. MCW Cancer Center Symposium. Milwaukee, WI. March 2024 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Human cytomegalovirus infection promotes the formation of NKG2CHi memory NK cells that express elevated levels of IL-7R and cyto-CD3e. American Society of Hematology. San Diego, CA. December 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single-cell transcriptome of HCMV seropositive fetuses reveals a unique subset of NKG2C+ cells that represent adaptive NK cells. Graduate School Symposium. Milwaukee, WI. December 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Memory NK cells are regulated by a unique transcriptional program allowing for their persistence in HCMV+ individuals. Autumn Immunology Conference. Chicago, IL. November 2023 [Oral]

Ishaq A, Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single-cell transcriptomes of NK cells responding to MCMV infection reveal a distinct Ly49HHi memory subset emerging 7 days post-infection. Autumn Immunology Conference. Chicago, IL. November 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Fetal NK Cells: Identifying Their Role During Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection. CTSI Milwaukee Regional Research Forum. Milwaukee, WI. October 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Cytomegalovirus infection induces the generation of NKG2CHi fetal NK cells in the umbilical cord. Midwest TL1 Summit. Wauwatosa, WI. September 2023 [Oral]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Infection by human cytomegalovirus stimulates the development of memory NK cells characterized by increased expression of cyto-CD3e. MD-PhD National Student Conference. Copper Mountain, CO. July 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Interleukin-7 Receptor and CD3e are necessary components for the development and function of NKG2CHi adaptive NK cells during HCMV infections. Center for Immunology, Immunology Scientific Retreat. Wauwatosa, WI. June 2023 [Oral]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single cell transcriptomes from HCMV+ donors reveal a unique NKG2CHi subset that represents true memory NK cells. American Association of Immunologist 2023. Washington, D.C. May 2023 [Oral]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Defining the single-cell transcriptomes of splenic adaptive Natural Killer cells in donors with latent human cytomegalovirus infection. Association for Clinical and Translation Sciences. Washington, D.C. April 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Interleukin-7 Receptor and CD3e are necessary for the development and function of NKG2C+ memory-like NK cells during HCMV infections. Graduate School Symposium. Milwaukee, WI. April 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single-cell transcriptomes reveal a unique NKG2CHi population representing memory NK cells. MCW Research Week. Wauwatosa, WI. March 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single-cell transcriptome from the spleen of HCMV+ donors reveal a unique subset of NKG2C+ population that represent true memory NK cells. Department of Medicine. Wauwatosa, WI. March 2023 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single-cell transcriptome of human adaptive NK cells reveal a unique transcriptional program that governs its development and function. Autumn Immunology Conference. Chicago, IL. November 2022 [Oral]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Single-cell transcriptome of HCMV seropositive individuals reveals a unique subset of NKG2C+ cells that represent adaptive NK cells. Graduate School Symposium. Wauwatosa, WI. October 2022 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Transcriptome of human adaptive NK cells reveal a unique transcriptional program that governs its development and function. CTSI Milwaukee Regional Research Forum. Milwaukee, WI. October 2022 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Transcriptomic profiling of human adaptive NK cells derived from HCMV seropositive individuals. Midwest TL1 Research Summit. Madison, WI. September 2022 [Poster]

Khalil M, Terhune SS, Malarkannan S. Defining the human cytomegalovirus manipulation of NK cells at a single-cell resolution. MCW Center for Immunology, Immunology Scientific Retreat. Wauwatosa, WI. June 2022 [Poster]

Khalil M, Patel J.J, Baruah D, Rein L.R, Tsai S, Clarke C, T. Gamblin C, Mogal H. Association of muscle quantity and frailty on short-term outcomes of CRS/HIPEC in patients with appendiceal cancer. SSO 2020 International Advanced Cancer Therapies. Orlando, Florida. February 2020 [Oral]

General Interests

Traveling, running, snowboarding, scuba diving, reading and MMA