• Acute Myeloid Leukemia

I am an assistant professor in the Division of Hematology at The Ohio State University and a member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, where my lab focuses primarily on understanding the genomic underpinnings of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Under the joint supervision of Clara D. Bloomfield, MD, and Albert de la Chapelle, MD, PhD — two of the most distinguished and world-renowned experts in their field — I was trained in translational research (with a focus on prognostically significant molecular markers in AML) and in basic molecular biology and cancer genetics.

In large-scale sequencing studies, we revealed the molecular diversity of adult AML patients, including gene mutations and chromosomal abnormalities, and revealed important examples on how the presence or absence of those findings may influence treatment response and survival of patients.

In addition, my discoveries include the mechanism of action and functional relevance of some small, non-coding RNAs (called microRNAs), which reside within larger host genes. We were able to show the importance and downstream effects of miR-3151 in AML prognostication and leukemogenesis, and of miR-3662 in hematopoiesis.

Current projects include a study of the clinical, genomic and transcriptomic characteristics of myeloid sarcomas to identify better therapy options, as well as the role that novel CCND1/2 gene mutations in AML play in leukemogenesis.

I have authored or co-authored numerous articles in such well-respected publications as Cancer Discovery, Science Signaling, Cancer Research, Leukemia, Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology and PNAS.