Who We Fund

University of Miami

Dr Walker is currently at the University of Miami where is a research Professor in the Division of Myeloma and is also the SWOG Myeloma Committee Chair of Translational Medicine. Most of his work has revolved around utilizing primary patient material with a range of techniques including gene expression and mapping arrays to next generation sequencing technologies to identify the genetic determinants that can be used to sub-classify myeloma. These determinants include common copy number abnormalities, somatic mutations and gene expression profiles which can be used to risk stratify patients according to biological criteria, which in turn can determine the prognosis of the patient. His lab currently employs single-cell technologies, mouse models, and epigenomics to determine the impact and mechanism of action of these abnormalities that drive myeloma pathogenesis.

Program Name(s)

Discovery

Project Title

Genomic and epigenomic interactions of complex structural variants affecting outcome in multiple myeloma

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Fenghuang (Frank) Zhan, MD & PhD, is a Professor of Medicine and the Research Director of Myeloma Center at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Frank’s research focuses on identifying treatment approaches to overcome drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM) by using genomic, genetic, and immunological tools from a very large database of clinical samples and mouse models. Frank has published more than 170 peer reviewed papers. Many of his publications appeared in prestigious journals such as Science, NEJM, Cancer Cell, Blood, and J Clin Invest. As a principal investigator (PI), he has received many grants from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) and NIH-NCI, etc. Frank received his PhD in Cancer Molecular Genetics and was then trained as a postdoctoral fellow and junior faculty at UAMS. Prior he returned to UAMS, he was an Associate Professor in the University of Utah, and then a Professor in the University of Iowa.

Program Name(s)

Translational Research Program

Project Title

Toward improvement of BCMA/CST6-CAR-T therapy to target both myeloma cells and bone resorption

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

I am a medical oncologist with the Myeloma Service and a member of the Cellular Therapeutics Center and the Center for Health Policy and Outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. My research focuses on the clinical development of novel immune and cellular therapies for patients with multiple myeloma and translational research focused on better understanding the responses to cellular therapies and possible mechanisms of relapse. I am the principal investigator for multiple chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T trials for multiple myeloma, including the first trials of an allogeneic CAR T cell therapy and autologous GPRC5D CAR T cells for myeloma .

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

Project Title

Improving outcomes with immune therapies for multiple myeloma

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Christian Marinaccio is a research fellow in Dr. Scott Armstrong laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. After graduating with a master of science in medical Biotechnology from University of Bari, Italy, he joined the laboratory of John D Crispino at Northwestern University to pursue a PhD in Life Sciences focused on blood malignancies. Under the supervision of Dr. Crispino, his research focused on mechanisms of progression from myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Currently, his research interests lay in the study of mechanisms of fusion protein turnover in KMT2A rearranged leukemias and in the study of leukemic transformation processes at the hematopoietic stem cell level, including cell of origin and clonal dynamics.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

Project Title

Identification and characterization of genetic factors affecting MLL/KMT2A fusion proteins stability in MLL/KMT2A rearranged leukemias

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research

My lab focuses on the tumor microenvironment as a risk factor for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Richter's transformation (RT). We develop therapeutic strategies targeting the interaction between CLL/RT and the TME. This research has been my focus since my postdoctoral studies, where I investigated auto-antigens in the TCL-1 mouse model and expanded this work in TCL-1/IgK-AID double transgenic mice that develop RT spontaneously. I've also created preclinical CLL patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, including SRG-BA6 mice, which allow for the study of human lymph node fibroblastic stromal cells. Recently, I’ve gained expertise in single nucleus RNA sequencing, multiplex imaging, and using PDX models to develop novel therapies like R110-CART for CLL and RT. My lab is committed to interdisciplinary studies with therapeutic implications, and I have extensive experience in project management and collaboration, positioning me well to advance this research.

Program Name(s)

Translational Research Program

Project Title

Targeting TLR9 Signaling to restore immunomodulating function of FRCs in Richter's Transformation

Emory University

Dr. Jonathon Cohen is an associate professor of hematology/oncology at Emory University and co-directs the lymphoma program at Winship Cancer Institute. He has developed and implemented studies conducted at sites throughout the US and frequently collaborates with colleagues throughout Georgia to offer trials to patients with lymphoma. He is a member of the ECOG-ACRIN Lymphoma Core Committee, Co-Chair of the Hoosier Cancer Research Network Lymphoma Committee, and Co-Chair of the Lymphoma Disease Focus Group of the NCI-funded Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network Consortium. He also leads national studies evaluating real-world outcomes in lymphoma. He has an active clinical practice providing consultative services for patients throughout Georgia. He has routinely engaged with oncologists throughout the region to promote quality lymphoma care through in-person and virtual educational talks, and through moderation of protocol sessions to develop treatment guidelines.

Program Name(s)

IMPACT

Project Title

Making an IMPACT on hematology care in Georgia: The Georgia Blood Cancer Trials Network (BCTN)

University of Minnesota

Helen Parsons, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. She has expertise in mixed-methods research, employing a combination of clinical registries, administrative data (e.g., Medicare), surveys and focus groups to understand how adoption of new programs and policies influence reimbursement and health outcomes, including the development and use of survey and administrative data to examine longitudinal health and psychosocial outcomes.

Program Name(s)

Equity in Access

Project Title

The Impossible Choice: The Role of Insurance Design on Financial Toxicity and Access to Care for Individuals with Blood Cancer

University of Wisconsin at Madison

I have been interested in basic and translational work related to cancer since my master’s resulting in a thesis on bone metastasis of breast cancer. Part of my PhD work explored the molecular mechanisms of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). I have studied the use of metformin, as an anti-cancer agent and demonstrated that metformin through activation of AMPK/ RUNX1/ SOCS3 axis and inhibition of glycolytic fluxes overcomes the imatinib resistance in CML patients. I joined Dr. Jing Zhang’s lab at the University of Wisconsin. Under her guidance, I had a chance to explore the molecular players involved in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with concurrent RAS and ASXL1 mutations, which define one of the worst AML prognosis groups. I have been actively collaborating with numerous investigators on and off campus to work on patient derived xenograft model for pre-clinical development of therapeutic approaches targeting both leukemia cells and suppressed T cells in NRAS; ASXL1 AML.

Project Title

Enhancing the cytotoxicity of T cells in NRAS; ASXL1-AML through combined inhibition of MEK and HDACs

Rutgers University

A PharmD by training, I then obtained my PhD guided by Dr. Manuel Serrano at the CNIO studying Sirt1 role in metabolism and cancer, which led to 4 first-author and 1 corresponding papers, plus 11 co authorships. Next, I joined the Ferrando Lab at Columbia University where I published two seminal papers identifying a NOTCH1-driven Myc enhancer critical for T-cell development and leukemia, and dissecting the role of cancer metabolism in the resistance to anti-NOTCH1 therapy. I started my independent career at Rutgers in July 2017. In these 4 years, I have established a highly successful and productive laboratory, as reflected by the multiple funding sources obtained (including R01, ACS or AACR grants, among others), as well as by the publication of 3 corresponding author studies: a Blood Cancer Discovery paper identifying an enhancer of PTEN in leukemia; a Leukemia paper describing the antileukemic effects of SHMT inhibition; and a Blood paper describing the therapeutic effects of mitochondrial uncoupling in T-ALL.

Program Name(s)

Career Development Program

Project Title

Therapeutic exploitation of novel mouse models and metabolic interventions in leukemia

TAP Partner

Immune-Onc is a private, clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel myeloid checkpoint inhibitors for cancer patients. The company aims to translate unique scientific insights in myeloid cell biology and immune inhibitory receptors to discover and develop first-in-class biotherapeutics that reverse immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. Immune-Onc has a differentiated pipeline with a current focus on targeting the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor subfamily B (LILRB) of myeloid checkpoints. Immune-Onc’s focused platform approach has led to the development of several promising therapeutics across various stages of development.

Program Name(s)

Therapy Acceleration Program

Project Title

A phase 1 expansion study of IO-202, an antibody targeting LILRB4, in combination with azacitidine in patients with monocytic differentiation AML and CMML

Monash University

Professor Jake Shortt is a clinician scientist who is co-appointed by Monash Health as Director of Clinical Haematology and by Monash University as the Head of Haematology Research at the School of Clinical Sciences. Monash Health provides lymphoma services to the largest Australian healthcare network in the Australian state of Victoria. He is also an Honorary Clinical Professor at the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne.

Professor Shortt is group leader of the 'Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory' at Monash, seeking to discover and translate new lymphoma treatments to the clinic. As a clinician scientist his research covers the full translational spectrum from scientific discovery to advanced clinical trials and registry initiatives. For more than a decade his research has focussed on poor-risk lymphoid cancers, particularly those hallmarked by activation of a gene called 'MYC' which features in some of the most aggressive lymphomas.

Program Name(s)

Translational Research Program

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Ravi Bhatia, MD is Professor in the Department of Medicine, the John G. Kelton, M.D., Endowed Chair and Director of Research in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr Bhatia received his Hematology and Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant training from the University of Minnesota and joined the City of Hope National Medical Center in 1996, where he developed his career as a physician-scientist. His clinical interests are in hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic cell transplantation, with emphasis on myeloid leukemias. His research focuses on studying the regulation of normal and malignant hematopoietic stem cells, therapeutic targeting of malignant stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cell therapeutics. He is the author of over 170 publications and the recipient of NIH grant funding since 2006. He has been a Scholar of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians.

Program Name(s)

Translational Research Program

Project Title

Prediction and prevention of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms following autologous transplantation