Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation Faculty

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Kris Blomquist
Email: krblomqu@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Allred is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation where he serves as an oncologist with a focus on the treatment of blood cancers. In addition to his clinical interests, Dr. Allred has an active clinical and translational research effort that includes cutting edge basic science into the biology of myeloid cancer development and its interaction with the immune system. The goal of this work is to develop next generation targeted therapies, including immune and cellular therapies, to improve the treatment of myeloid cancers and improve the lives of patients with these diseases.

Research Summary

• Immunology of Cancer
• Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy
• Immune Therapy
• Stem Cell Biology
• Developmental Hematopoiesis

Clinical Summary

• Myeloid Neoplasms
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia
• Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy
• Bone Marrow Transplantation

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Heidi Goski
Email: laws0067@umn.edu

Summary
I am a genitourinary medical oncologist with a particular focus on recurrent and advanced prostate cancer. I conduct clinical and translational studies to bring new therapies to patients with prostate cancer. In particular, I am interested in developing novel androgen-directed therapies, genetically-targeted therapies, and immunotherapies for men with recurrent or advanced prostate cancer, and using germline and tumor genomics to inform precision oncology approaches for these patients. I also have an interest in liquid biomarker development, including the clinical validation of the AR-V7 marker as well as DNA repair markers and their therapeutic implications. I am also involved in mentoring fellows and junior faculty in the clinical care of genitourinary cancers and the development of translational research strategies related to prostate cancer.

Research Summary

• Prostate Cancer Clinical and Translational Research
• Liquid Biopsy in Cancer
• Genetics and Genomics
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Androgen-Directed Therapies
• Genetically-Targeted Therapies
• Biomarker Development
• Precision Oncology

Teaching Summary

Clinical Mentoring of Fellows and Junior Faculty on the Management of Prostate Cancer; Teaching on Translational Research Approaches; Teaching on Clinical Trial Design

Clinical Summary

Genitourinary Medical Oncology; Recurrent and Advanced Prostate Cancer; Cancer Clinical Trials

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu

Summary
My clinical practice centers around patients with blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. I care deeply for my patients and strive to apply the most effective and promising treatment options and methods. With the team at Bone Marrow and Cell Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, we provide access to hematopoietic cell transplantation, immunotherapies, and novel cellular therapies.In my clinical practice, I every day witness the life-saving potential of transplantation and the capacity of the immune system to eliminate cancer. As a result, my clinical research is focused on the design and development of new approaches which utilize the immune system to attack cancer cells. Currently, I direct the team which is focused on the emerging field of CAR T-cell therapies and Natural Killer cellular therapies for the treatment of lymphoma and myeloma.

Research Summary

• Lymphoma
• CAR-T Cell Therapy
• Stem Cell Transplantation
• Immunotherapy
• Phase 1 Trials

Clinical Summary

• CAR-T therapies
• Immunotherapies
• Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Transplantation

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Email: rosch053@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
I am a dedicated physician-scientist who is passionate about caring for patients with benign hematologic conditions. I have a clinical interest in patients with acquired and congenital bleeding disorders as well as patients with anemia. I conduct translational research in the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving inflammation-induced pathology in endothelial cells and blood vessels My current research focuses on evaluating the contribution of red blood cell and endothelial cell interactions in JAK2 V617F and CALR+ myeloproliferative neoplasm patients.

Research Summary

Role of endothelial biology in inflammation-mediated coagulation disorders; Mechanisms to treat and or prevent bleeding and thrombosis in patients with myeloproliferative disorders; Mechanisms to identify bleeding phenotype in patients with hemophilia; Role of endothelium in sickle cell pathogenesis

Teaching Summary

My on-campus teaching involves case-based training and teaching in the clinic as well as within the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program.

Clinical Summary

Hemophilia; Bleeding and Clotting Disorders; Iron Deficiency; Hemochromatosis; Heminglobinopathies, including Sickle Cell Disease; Myeloproliferative Neoplasms; Erythrocytosis; Thrombocytosis; Thrombocytopenia

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Sarah Strommer
Email: strom721@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Heather Beckwith received her M.D. degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee) in 2006. She did her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Minnesota. During her residency she worked on research in the laboratory of Dr. Douglas Yee investigating the tyrosine kinase inhibitor properties of BMS 554417 on the insulin-like growth factor receptor using the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Dr. Beckwith then was chosen for a fellowship in Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota. She became an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation) at the University of Minnesota in 2012.

Research Summary

Researching the changes in gene signature that occur with growth factor stimulation of breast cancer; Study the role of growth factors on the development of hormone resistance in breast cancer

Clinical Summary

Breast cancer treatment and care

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Email: rosch053@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Belcher earned his PhD from Wake Forest University and did his postdoctoral training at the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California, San Francisco. He joined the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation in 1996. Dr. Belcher's research has been integral to a series of important discoveries demonstrating heme is central to the pathobiology of sickle cell anemia. Dr. Belcher's laboratory work is committed to the successful translation of laboratory discoveries to clinical care.

Research Summary

Dr. Belcher's research is focused on hemoglobin, heme, and iron toxicity to the endothelium, as well as related cytoprotective responses. Currently, he is investigating heme-mediated inflammation, vaso-occlusion, and pain in sickle cell anemia through toll-like receptor-4 signaling and complement activation. His research is also exploring the cytoprotective effects of hemopexin, BACH1 inhibitors, heme oxygenase-1 inducers, oral carbon monoxide, and complement inhibitors as therapies to prevent vascular occlusions and pain in sickle cell disease. Sickle Cell Disease Endothelial Cells including Circulating Endothelial Cells Vascular Biology Innate Immunity and Inflammation Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease Fetal Hemoglobin Induction

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Kris Blomquist
Email: krblomqu@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
I am a physician-scientist and hold appointments in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation and the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota. I received my internal medicine training here at the University of Minnesota and performed my training in medical oncology and hematology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. My research blends efforts in the lab and clinic, to develop novel therapies for cancer patients. This work is focused on understanding and eliminating graft-versus-host disease while preserving, or even enhancing, the beneficial anti-tumor activity of the transplant. Clinically, my practice offers stem cell transplantation and immunotherapy services to patients with blood cell cancers. I also treat patients with graft-versus-host disease. As a physician, I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to offer innovative treatment options at the University of Minnesota and being a part of my patients' recovery.

Creative Activity Summary

 

 

 

Teaching Summary

On campus teaching involves case based training and teaching in the clinic with medical students and fellows.

Clinical Summary

Myeloid leukemias; myelodysplasia; myeloproliferative neoplasm; GVHD; immunotherapy

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Audra Field
Email: afield@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Anne Blaes is the Division Director and an Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Minnesota. She is the Director of Cancer Survivorship Services and Translational Research within the Masonic Cancer Center. She is an active medical oncologist with a special interest in the late effects of cancer therapy, particularly in the area of cardio-oncology. Her research focuses on designing and implementing strategies to help prevent the long term complications of treatments in our cancer survivors, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular health. She is the Chair for the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Cancer Survivorship Committee, a member of the Executive Board for the Global Cardio-oncology Society, associate editor for JACC Cardio-oncology, section editor for Hem/Onc Today on Survivorship and an active member of the ALLIANCE for Cancer Clinical Trials.

Research Summary

Dr. Blaes has a special interest in cancer survivorship, the late effects of cancer therapy, and medical education. Her research interests, funded by a BIRCWH award, include quality of life, cardiac complications of chemotherapy, and the late effects of cancer therapy in cancer survivors, particularly breast and colorectal cancer survivors. In addition to mentoring medical students and residents on research projects, she teaches the Blood pathophysiology course and the Human Diseases IV course within the medical school. She received an Educational Excellence Award from the Department of Medicine in 2010, and has been named to Minnesota Monthly's Best Doctors for Women in 2011 and 2012.

Teaching Summary

Blood Course; LCME Visits; Working with Fellows

Clinical Summary

Breast cancer; Colorectal cancer; Cancer survivorship; Cardio-oncology

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Audra Field
Email: afield@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Stuart Bloom spent his 20's in New York City as an actor and musical comedian, but after he turned 30, and his own father was diagnosed with cancer, he had an epiphany and decided to become an oncologist. After an award winning, twenty year run in community oncology, he now joins the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at the Medical School as part of the Master Clinician pathway. While he remains dedicated to the care of patients with breast and prostate cancers, he has multiple other passions he offers to medical school students and faculty. These include the teaching of doctoring skills, exploring and addressing the causes of medical burnout, and further developing the intersection of the humanities in medicine. His acclaimed musical How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes recently played a sold out run at the Open Eye Theatre, with the plan on performing this at medical schools around the country.

Teaching Summary

Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program; Doctoring Skills; Medical School Curriculum

Clinical Summary

Breast Cancer; Prostate Cancer; Hematologic Malignancies

Bio

Dr. Boucher graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He then completed his internal medicine/pediatrics residency at the University of Minnesota, followed by his pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

He joined the University of Minnesota faculty as Assistant Professor of pediatric hematology in the Department of Pediatrics in 2019. He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Medicine. His specific interests include inherited hemoglobinopathies, especially sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia, and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues in clinical care. He sees pediatric patients with a wide range of hematologic disorders including red cell disorders, cytopenias, and marrow failure disorders.

In the Department of Medicine, he directs the SCD program with a focus on addressing care gaps for adolescents and young adults with SCD and other red cell disorders. In doing so, his goal is to build a lifespan approach to red cell disorders, particularly SCD, and strengthen our clinical care approach and research expansion.

Dr. Boucher's research includes improving patient-centered outcomes and community awareness for individuals with hemoglobinopathies like SCD and thalassemias. He also conducts research focused on addressing health inequities in clinical care, hematologic and otherwise. He is engaged in medical education for non-malignant hematology and in curriculum development around social determinants of health.

Administrator Information

Rick Jacobson
Administrative Phone: 612-626-5501
Administrative Email: rickj@umn.edu
Administrative Fax Number: 612-624-3913

 

Research Summary

Bleed and Clotting Disorders Anemia Platelet disorders Sickle Cell Disorder Thalassemia

Clinical Summary

Bleed and Clotting Disorders; Anemia; Platelet disorders; Sickle Cell Disorder; Thalassemia

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Amirah Muwahid
Phone: 612-626-4024
Email: muwah012@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 806, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Cichocki received his PhD in immunology from the University of Minnesota in 2010. He carried out his postdoctoral training at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden and returned to the University of Minnesota in 2013. Dr. Cichocki researches basic human natural killer (NK) cell biology and NK cell immunotherapy in the context of hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Research Summary

NK cell development from hematopoietic precursors; Transcriptional and epigenetic control of NK cell development; NK cells in hematopoietic cell transplantation; Primary immunodeficiencies

Human NK cell biology
Our group has a long-standing interest in the development and differentiation of human natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells represent a lineage of cytotoxic lymphocytes that play key roles in immunosurveillance of virally infected and transformed cells. Our current work is focused on the molecular mechanisms controlling the differentiation, expansion, signaling and function of unique, heterogeneous subsets of adaptive NK cells that arise in response to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in healthy individuals and CMV reactivation in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Our group is also actively exploring pathways important for the efficient generation of highly functional NK cells from induced pluripotent stem cells

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Phone: 612-626-6553
Email: rosch053@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919

Summary
I am a non-malignant hematologist, with a clinical interest in hemostasis, thrombosis and hematologic issues in pregnancy. Academically, I am interested in the intersection of health care delivery, resource optimization and psychology. To that end, I conduct health outcomes research and interventional trials to improve outcomes. I also design interventions to enhance the delivery of high-value care and promote stewardship in health care systems.

Teaching Summary

Non-Malignant Hematology; Clinical Reasoning; Resource Optimization

Clinical Summary

Hemostasis; Thrombosis; Hematologic Issues in Pregnancy