Philadelphia Myeloma Roundtable

Adam D. Cohen, MD, is Director of the Myeloma Immunotherapy program and Associate Professor, Hematology/Oncology Division at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in CAR T cell research and treatment in myeloma. Dr. Cohen is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and the American Society of Hematology. He is also a member of the Multiple Myeloma Committee, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and the Multiple Myeloma Panel, National Comprehensive Cancer Network. In addition, Dr. Cohen is an ad hoc reviewer for Annals of Oncology, Cytotherapy, Journal of Translational Medicine, Blood, Amyloid, and Clinical Cancer Research. He has written dozens of original articles, book chapters, and reviews on DNA vaccines, tumor immunity, multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and stem cell transplant. Dr. Cohen received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where he also completed an internal medicine residency. He completed a hematology/oncology fellowship and was a research associate in the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

Gurbakhash Kaur, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and treating patients with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders, including amyloidosis and Waldenström macroglobulinemia. She is also involved in clinical trials to develop novel therapeutics for multiple myeloma. Dr. Kaur earned her medical degree at Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Tufts Medical Center and received advanced training in hematology and oncology through a fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in medical oncology and in hematology, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2020. Dr. Kaur’s clinical and research interests include improving outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly multiple myeloma, by developing newer cellular and immunotherapy therapies, and she publishes and delivers presentations on her work regularly. She is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the International Myeloma Society, among other professional organizations.

Dr. Garfall is Director of the Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation program and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dan T. Vogl, MD, MSCE is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Vogl sees patients with multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and other plasma cell cancers. His clinical and translational research focuses on early phase clinical trials of novel therapies for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Dr. Vogl also serves as Medical Director of the Abramson Cancer Center’s Clinical Research Unit, overseeing the work of over 140 research nurses, research coordinators, regulatory coordinators, and biospecimen coordinators, who together manage over 300 active cancer clinical trials. He is a member of Penn’s Myeloma Program, Amyloidosis Program, and Cellular Therapy and Transplant Program.

As a clinician, my goal is to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with multiple myeloma and related disorders. I strive to ensure that all patients have equitable access to a full range of therapies, both within our cancer center and beyond. I am committed to fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, so that patients and their families feel supported throughout their journey with this serious illness. As a researcher, my primary objectives are to broaden the therapeutic options available to the diverse patient population at TJU and to enhance the safety and quality of life for those receiving commercially approved therapies. This involves my active participation in initiating and developing clinical trials at TJU, as well as conducting retrospective analyses and forming translational partnerships. These efforts aim to identify biomarkers and immune profiles that facilitate more targeted therapeutic approaches.

Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of the HealthTree Foundation.