The present disclosure describes a method of producing T cells exhibiting an enhanced memory T cell phenotype, the method comprising: modulating a population of T cells to enhance the expression and/or function of high mobility group protein Y (HMGY). In embodiments, the method may include introducing a polynucleotide encoding HMGY into a population of T cells, wherein expression of HMGY is higher in the population of T cells as compared to a population of T cells that are not introduced with the polynucleotide, and the memory T cell phenotype of the population of T cells is enhanced as compared to T cells that are not introduced with the polynucleotide. In embodiments, the method can also include introducing a polynucleotide encoding one or more genes associated with HMGY, for example, upstream or downstream of the signaling pathway associated with HMGY and/or a transcription factor associated with HMGY.