Research we fund

Duke University Medical Center

Altered B cell homeostasis plays a key role in the development of chronic graft-vs-host-disease (cGVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We hypothesize that the DNA sensor AIM2 plays a critical role in the fate of BCR-activated B cells after HCT. We will utilize novel mouse models to investigate AIM2-BCR modulation with clear translational implications in autoreactivity perpetuating cGVHD as well as functional humoral deficiency and vaccine hyporesponsiveness after HCT.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

NYU Grossman School of Medicine

While many patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are cured with initial treatment, some patients relapse even after multiple therapies, and their outcomes are poor; we believe that the quality of the patient’s T cell memory plays a critical role in determining how they respond to treatment. To investigate, we will analyze the response pattern of circulating immune cells in cured and relapsed DLBCL patients, as well as the immune signals generated by the tumors, and create CAR T cells from the T cells with anti-tumor properties found in cured patients. We will evaluate the ability of these CAR T cells to fight lymphoma; if successful, our research can rapidly be translated into new immune therapies for patients with high risk or relapsed DLBCL.

Program Name(s)

Translational Research Program

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma is recognized as a disease entity in a spectrum of related diseases, including T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma. Although treatments are generally effective, a subset of patients suffers from lymphoma progression and aggressive disease transformations. Here, we propose to analyze clonal evolution of tumor cells and describe the spatial architecture of tissues with the goal to improve molecular classification and develop novel therapeutic approaches.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

Yale

I want to understand how the t(1;22) translocation that involves a member of the m6A writer complex drives acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL). To identify culprit genes and pathways I will use multi-omics, including RNA, eCLIP, and TimeLapse Seq and proteomics. I will dissect the RBM15-MKL specific effects of a novel METTL3 inhibitor in primary murine and human AMKL in vitro and in vivo. My ultimate goal is to cure this rare infant leukemia by harnessing METTL3 inhibition.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

Weill Cornell Medicine

To survive and proliferate lymphoma cells must co-opt normal cells residing the tumor microenvironment. This process results in the suppression of the activity of immune cells that otherwise will attack cancer cells. In this project we will develop a novel oral treatment that by acting on the microenvironment will restore lymphoma immunity and increase the activity of immunotherapy.

Program Name(s)

Translational Research Program

Medical College of Wisconsin

Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, or CARTs for short, holds great promise for improving outcomes and survival of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Next-generation “armored” CARTs that can overcome transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) dependent immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment may provide deeper and more durable disease control than the TGF-beta sensitive CART products currently in clinical use.

Program Name(s)

Translational Research Program

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are highly heterogeneous populations and key contributors to AML progression. Here, I aim to employ heparan sulfate (HS) glycotyping to resolve LSC heterogeneity. Using complementary genetic and antibody-based approaches, I will delineate the functional roles of HS pathway during AML progression. The newer insights provided by these studies could potentially uncover novel LSC therapies and facilitate diverse training for me to become an independent leukemia researcher.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

The George Washington University

Telehealth could improve access for Medicaid patients with a blood cancer who experience barriers to specialty care, but not all specialists offer it. Using Medicaid data, this study will provide novel information on whether blood cancer specialists are continuing to use telehealth following the COVID-19 pandemic when telehealth use increased dramatically. This study will also examine if telehealth helps address inequities in access to specialists, including for racial/ethnic minoritized groups and those living in rural areas.

Program Name(s)

Equity in Access

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Overexpression of ID2 is a recurrent event in mature T-cell lymphoma (TCL), and its significance is yet to be established. We will use a multidisciplinary approach combining epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analysis in human and murine models to identify the mechanisms leading to ID2 overexpression and their effect on T-cell transformation. Our goal is to define the role of ID2 in lymphomagenesis and determine its potential as a novel therapeutic target in TCL.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

Fox Chase Cancer Center

This study will implement a skill-based didactic course for providers to improve the quality of communication around structural racism, mistrust, implicit biases, and clinical trial counseling. This study will also implement a culturally competent, specialized clinical trials nurse navigation program that connects patients to educational resources around clinical trials and standardizes pre-screening for new patients prior to the initial clinic visit.​

Program Name(s)

Equity in Access

Washington University in St. Louis

My goal is to understand how cancer-associated gene fusions arise and cause disease. Specifically, I am studying how oncogenic fusions involving the gene KMT2A arise in different hematopoietic cell-types and how developmental context drives the development of leukemia. My long-term goals are to leverage an increased fundamental understanding of leukemogenesis provided by this research to improve treatment and lengthen lifespan for patients with KMT2A fusion-driven leukemias.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

T-cell mediated therapies are all impeded by the same cause- tumoral antigen (Ag) escape: rare Ag– cells in tumors survive the initial attack and lead to relapse. We recently took an innovative approach by enhancing T cells' ability to attack the Ag- cells during the initial treatment. That process is modular by pharmaceutical intervention.The proposed project will analyze cryopreserved excisional B-NHL biopsies to identify possible pharmaceutical targets potentiating their 'vulnerability’.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program