His research focuses on the immunotherapy of breast and ovarian cancers. His interests are in both basic immunobiology and clinical translation. His laboratory conducts research on cancer vaccines focusing on augmenting CD4 helper T cell immunity using peptide epitopes. These vaccine strategies are aimed at preventing patients from relapsing after optimal conventional therapies. Research is also aimed at understanding how tumors evade the immune system. In addition to his research, Dr. Knutson participates in and chairs several study sections, and is Director of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Immunotherapy Program. He is a previous recipient of the prestigious Howard Temin Award from the NCI. He received his PhD from the University of Georgia in 1995.