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.

Krina Patel, MD, MSc, is Associate Professor and Center Medical Director in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma of the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, TX. She treats only patients with plasma cell dyscrasias and is Principal Investigator for multiple ongoing phase I/II and III immune-oncology and maintenance clinical trials for myeloma patients. Her research interests include myeloma, developing cellular therapies like CAR T, and combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy in the induction, transplant, maintenance and salvage settings and she has completed significant clinical research in hematopoeitic stem cell transplantation. Dr. Patel completed her Hematology Oncology fellowship at MDACC and served as Chief Fellow. She received her MSc for a translational project she completed in the laboratory of Dr. Laurence Cooper, evaluating the combination of CAR T cells and TCR engineered cells with vaccine in in vitro and in vivo myeloma models. She served her clinical residency in internal medicine at the University of Texas UT Health in Houston, TX and earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX.

Dr. Mohan completed her fellowship in Hematology Oncology training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science. She has also worked and trained with some of the leading myeloma experts at the prestigious Myeloma Institute of Research and Therapeutics with in the University of Arkansas. She has authored and co-authored several peer reviewed publication and presented at various national and international conferences. During her fellowship she was awarded the Fellow’s Career Development Grant, Conquer Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual meeting merit award and Journal of Oncology Practice American Society of Oncology (ASCO) Editorial Fellowship. She received her Master’s in clinical and translational medicine (MS) from the University of Arkansas and served as a chief fellow. Her primary focus is to design and conduct clinical trials geared towards improving outcomes in Multiple Myeloma.

William Matsui, MD is a Professor in the Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he specializes in the treatment of multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. An internationally recognized physician-scientist, Dr. Matsui has spent more than two decades advancing myeloma research, with a particular focus on cancer stem cells, disease relapse, and the development of innovative immunotherapies. His clinical and research interests include stem cell transplantation, novel treatment strategies, and improving long-term outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications and is a frequent speaker at national and international meetings

Rebecca Lu, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, is a research nurse practitioner and Myeloma Research APRN Supervisor for the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She works intensively with myeloma patients participating in clinical trials. Ms. Lu has authored or co-authored studies on daratumumab, belantamab mafodotin, and numerous novel drug combinations. She is an active volunteer in child care and refugee assistance in Houston. Ms. Lu earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M University in Prairie View and her nursing degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Sarvari Yellapragada, MD is a Professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she specializes in the treatment of multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. She has extensive experience caring for patients across the spectrum of myeloma, with a focus on personalized treatment strategies, novel therapies, and improving long-term patient outcomes. Dr. Yellapragada is actively involved in clinical research evaluating emerging therapies and expanding access to innovative treatment approaches for patients with multiple myeloma.