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: 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 joined the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at the Medical School in 2021 as part of the Master Clinician pathway. As Associate Director of Physician and Faculty Well-Being for the division, he is committed to exploring and mitigating the causes of physician burnout. He is also an affiliated faculty of the Center for the Art of Medicine, further developing the intersection of the humanities in medicine.

His acclaimed musical How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes (www.burnoutmusical.com) has enjoyed multiple sold out runs in the Twin Cities, and has been performed at both Mayo Medical School and the University of Minnesota.

Research Interests

Medical Burnout and Engagement

Prostate Cancer

Breast Cancer

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.

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
Email: muwah012@umn.edu

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

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Phone: 612-626-6553
Email: rosch053@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 5545

Summary
Dr. Datta received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, followed by a clinical fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She completed additional research training in Hematology at the Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, she held faculty positions at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Emory University. Dr. Datta is the director of the Hematology-Oncology fellowship program.

Research Summary

• Benefits and risks of various anticoagulation agents
• Sickle Cell Blood Flow

Clinical Summary

Bleeding and clotting disorders; Platelet disorders; Anemia; General hematology; Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Kris Blomquist
Phone: 612-625-8942
Email: krblomqu@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919

Summary
Dr. Davis graduated from Rush University with a PhD in immunology in 2013 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Jeff Miller at the University of Minnesota in 2018. After completing his fellowship, Dr. Davis directed a team of skilled researchers in a collaboration between the University of Minnesota and an industry partner in the development and use of a natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy platform. Dr. Davis's research focus is primarily on mechanisms of NK cell target recognition and preclinical development of NK-based cellular immunotherapies. His interests also include the use of NK-cell based immunotherapies for the recognition and eradication of HIV from latently infected reservoirs in anti-retroviral therapy-treated individuals.

Teaching Summary

Immunology, Laboratory Research and Experimental Design

Clinical Summary

HIV, Glioblastoma

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Phone: 612-626-5906
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu

Summary
I am a Hematologist with special clinical and research focus on lymphoma and lymphoproliferative disorders. During my categorical and advanced fellowships, my research focus have primarily been on aggressive lymphomas; diffuse large B cell lymphoma and Hodgkins lymphoma. I intend to develop novel regimens to improve outcomes for these particular diseases, in frontline and for relapsed cases.

Teaching Summary

My on campus teaching involves case based training and teaching in the medical oncology clinic.

Clinical Summary

Hodgkin; Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Sarah Strommer
Phone: 612-625-9604
Email: strom721@umn.edu
Fax: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Domingo-Musibay is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota and member of the Masonic Cancer Center. His clinical and translational research efforts focus on immunologic, viral and gene therapy approaches to treat solid tumors. Dr. Musibay has interests in defining optimal combination and sequencing of immunotherapy drugs, vaccines, and cell based therapies. He is actively involved in clinical translation of novel therapies for melanoma, sarcoma, and skin cancer patients.

Research Summary

Immunotherapy, virotherapy, TIL and adoptive cell therapy

Clinical Summary

Dr. Domingo-Musibay has clinical interests in melanoma, sarcoma, and skin cancers. He has a special interest in uveal and mucosal melanomas.

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Phone: 612-626-5906
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Craig Eckfeldt graduated from the University of Minnesota's Combined M.D./Ph.D. Program with a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology (advisor: Catherine Verfaillie, M.D.) in 2005 and an M.D. in Internal Medicine in 2007. He received the Minnesota Medical Foundation J. Thomas Livermore Award in 2005 and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society in 2006. Dr. Eckfeldt is a graduate of the fellowship program in Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota. He joined the Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation faculty in July 2013.

Research Summary

Developing novel targeted and immune therapy approaches for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The goal of the research in our lab is to investigate the genetics and signaling pathways that drive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to provide a foundation for the development of novel targeted and immune treatment approaches for AML. Our research is focused on identifying the critical pathways that drive AML growth and survival, evaluating the effects of targeted therapies in preclinical cancer models, and studying how targeted therapies influence the susceptibility of cancer cells to immune therapies such as Natural Killer (NK) cell immunotherapy, an area of institutional expertise. We utilize cutting edge molecular genetic techniques and genetically engineered and humanized mouse models including patient-derived AML xenografts for our preclinical studies. Ultimately, we aim to translate our findings to human clinical trials for cancer patients.

Clinical Summary

Blood Cancers; Acute Leukemia; AML; MDS; Novel Therapies

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Kris Blomquist
Phone: 612-625-8942
Email: krblomqu@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 480
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
My care philosophy - Hematopoietic cell transplantation is a life saving procedure when personalized to each patient. I believe in each patient's right to make an informed decision regarding their treatment options based on the best available evidence that also meets with their own goals of care. Patients in my clinic will be offered novel clinical trial options as well in an effort to improve outcomes beyond the standard of care.

Research Summary

My research focuses on improving our patients' post-transplant toxicities, outcomes and long term effects. I am interested in studying means of manipulating the microbiome and their peptides in mitigating graft versus host disease and other transplant toxicities. 

Clinical Summary

Treatments: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation; Clinical Interests: Acute GVHD; Chronic GVHD; Regimen-related Toxicities; Survivorship and Late Effects; Conditions: Leukemia; Lymphoma; Multiple Myeloma; Myelodysplastic Syndrome; Myeloproliferative Diseases; Allo and Auto Transplant

Bio

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

Summary
Dr. Andrea Espejo Freire is an oncologist specializing in the care of patients with sarcomas and other rare tumors. Dr. Espejo Freire received her medical degree from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. She completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Espejo Freire has contributed to describing the genomic biology of angiosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma, among other tumors. Her goal is to translate molecular findings into new targeted therapies for patients living with these aggressive tumors. Dr. Espejo Freire has also studied the efficacy of different treatment regimens for patients with bone sarcomas and angiosarcomas. This is important as therapies for sarcomas are not well established and the toxicities are significant. One of Dr. Espejo Freire's major research interests is the study of the tumor microenvironment for the purpose of developing strategies to overcome tumor resistance to immunotherapy.

Research Summary

• Genomics of angiosarcomas
• Tumor microenvironment modulation
• Immunotherapy

Teaching Summary

• Clinical Management of patients with sarcomas

• Immuno-oncology

• Molecular pathways in sarcomas

Clinical Summary

• Sarcomas

• Angiosarcoma

• Immunotherapy

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Amirah Muwahid
Email: muwah012@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Felices received his Ph.D. in immunology from UMASS Medical School in 2008, where his research focused on innate and adaptive immune subsets. He then pursued an industry postdoctoral fellowship at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, in Cambridge, MA, in the Developmental and Molecular Pathways group where he studied signaling pathways involved in liver injury and tumorigenesis. In 2011 he joined the University of Minnesota as a T32 postdoctoral fellow in the HOT division, focusing his research on Natural Killer (NK) cell biology, prior to becoming an assistant professor. Dr. Felices' group focuses on methodologies to improve NK cell immunotherapy, with a particular focus on cytokine signaling and development NK specific biologics. In recent years Dr. Felices has been dedicating most of his effort on a Tri-specific Killer Engager (TriKE) platform to target NK cells to tumors while providing a cytokine signal.

Research Summary

• NK cell biology (development, survival, and function)
• Cancer immunology
• Signal transduction
• Immune metabolism
• Immunotherapy Biologic
• Cytokine signaling
• Biologic design/production (bi- and tri-specifics)

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Sarah Strommer
Phone: 612-625-9604
Email: strom721@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 480
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Fujioka is a Medical Oncologist specializing in thoracic and head/neck malignancies. Her research is focused on developing food-based chemoprevention against tobacco and environmental carcinogens. Dr. Fujioka also acts as site Principal Investigator for cancer therapy clinical trials. She joined the faculty in 2011 after completing all of her training at the University of Minnesota.

Research Summary

• Lung cancer chemoprevention
• Tobacco carcinogens and carcinogenesis
• Food-based chemoprevention of tobacco-related lung cancer

Clinical Summary

• Lung Cancer
• Lung Cancer Chemoprevention
• Head and Neck Cancer

Bio

Dr. Greeno received his M.D. in 1986 from Case Western Reserve University followed by internal medicine residency training and hematology subspecialty training at the University of Minnesota. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology. He served as director of Hematology/Oncology at Hennepin County Medical Center prior to recruitment at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Greeno is the Medical Director of the Masonic Cancer Clinic at the University of Minnesota.He is also Executive Medical Director of University of Minnesota Cancer Care. He has conducted numerous human trials of cancer therapeutics, including an ongoing first in human study of Minnelide, a drug developed from a natural product at the University of Minnesota for pancreatic cancer.

Clinical Summary

GI malignacies, Colon cancer

Bio

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

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Phone: 612-626-5906
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Gupta is a gastrointestinal oncologist, a symptom management enthusiast, and a health services researcher. His research specifically examines cancer care access and delivery, the costs of cancer care, and the hidden burdens imposed on and faced by people with cancer and their caregivers while receiving this care.

Research Summary

Dr. Gupta’s research is at the intersection of oncology, supportive care, and care delivery. His primary focus is identifying, understanding, and improving the ‘’hidden toxicities’’ of receiving cancer care. Many of the burdens of a cancer diagnosis and treatment on a patient and caregivers extend beyond the physical effects of the cancer itself. These include financial toxicity and caregiver burdens. The ultimate goal of this work is to improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their loved ones.

Teaching Summary

Gastrointestinal Cancer; Symptom Control; Supportive Care

Clinical Summary

gastrointestinal cancer (esophageal, stomach/gastric, gallbladder, biliary tract); cholangiocarcinoma; liver cancer; hepatocellular cancer; pancreatic cancer; neuroendocrine cancer; gastrointestinal stromal tumor; small bowel cancer; appendix cancer; colorectal cancer; anal cancer

Bio

Dr. Holtan is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, where she serves as a hematologist focusing on allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for malignant and non-malignant diseases, and long-term survivorship. Dr. Holtan brings a clinical/translational investigator focus on personalized immune monitoring, inflammation resolution, and the role of wound healing-associated growth factors in graft-versus-host disease. Her most recent research focuses on strength training and late effects related to transplantation. Dr. Holtan brings a strong track record of multidisciplinary research to the University of Minnesota.

Research Summary

Personalized immune monitoring Inflammation resolution in GVHD Immunology of pregnancy Immunology of Cancer Strength Training

Clinical Summary

BMT; cell therapy; GVHD; late effects

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Phone: 612-626-5906
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Hu is a hematologist-oncologist specializing in blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. Her particular clinical and research interests are in aggressive lymphomas and immunological approaches to treating cancers, including cellular therapy (CAR-T and CAR-NK). Dr. Hu's research also focuses on expanding access to novel therapies, bone marrow transplant, and cellular therapy.

Research Summary

• Aggressive lymphomas
• Cellular therapies
• Early-phase clinical trials
• Healthcare disparities

Teaching Summary

Hematology; Immunology

Clinical Summary

Lymphomas; leukemia; cellular therapies

Bio

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

Summary
Justin Hwang received his undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University in chemical engineering. He obtained his PhD degree in biochemistry in studying critical regulators of cell differentiation, survival and tumorigenesis. In 2020, he has completed his post-doctoral training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. During this time, he developed genome-scale functional and analytical approaches to identify gene targets in lethal cancers, including metastatic prostate cancers and breast. At the University of Minnesota, his laboratory will examine novel regulatory genes that drive malignant behavior of cancers utilizing high throughput functional and clinical informatic approaches.

Research Summary

Cancer Functional Genomics Cancer Genomics Precision Therapeutics Cell Signaling Transcription 

Research Interest: Solid Tumor

Clinical Summary

Prostate Cancer; Cancer Progression, Precision Therapeutics

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Sarah Strommer
Phone: 612-625-9604
Email: strom721@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919

Summary
Dr. Damé Idossa is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and a Breast Oncologist in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Idossa is a native of Ethiopia and immigrated to Minnesota at the age of 8. Dr. Idossa is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and has a long-standing commitment to serving vulnerable populations. Her research interests focus on disparities in cancer care, breast cancer in young women, and increasing access to clinical trials. She also studies workforce development, particularly the mentorship experiences of underrepresented trainees in hematology/oncology subspecialties. Dr. Idossa has received many awards to support her research, including a merit award from the ASCO foundation and a T32 research fellowship from the NIH. She has published numerous articles in medical journals related to her research interests.

Research Summary

• Breast Cancer
• Health Disparities
• Workforce Diversity

Teaching Summary

Breast Cancer

Clinical Summary

Breast Cancer

Bio

My practice is committed to caring for people with blood cancers, especially when bone marrow transplantation or cellular therapy is required. We live in an era where the treatment options are expanding rapidly for patients with acute leukemia, myeloid diseases, and other blood cancers. I believe the best care is determined after considering a patient and family's preferences and values. Our Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota strives to provide the best medical care possible through the innovative investigation into new and better treatment options and by incorporating discoveries into our daily medical care.My interest in helping people with blood cancers includes efforts to improve recovery through guided survivorship. The treatment of blood cancers can be a long and challenging journey for some people, who may be cured, but not recovered after treatment is complete. I am interested in developing survivorship care that will give patients and families the tools and support needed to regain a long, happy, and healthy life.

Research Summary

Clinical Trials Supportive Care Treatment Toxicities Survivorship

Clinical Summary

Blood Cancers; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Bio

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

Summary
Dr. Kao graduated from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and completed combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at ChristianaCare and Nemours Children's Hospital in Delaware, chief residency in internal medicine at ChristianaCare, pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and adult hematology fellowship at the University of Minnesota. He was previously a faculty member at UCLA, based at Mattel Children's Hospital in Los Angeles and Miller Children's and Women's Hospital in Long Beach and specializing in pediatric hematology/oncology and pain and palliative care. He joins the University of Minnesota specializing in non-malignant hematology and the use of hematopoietic cell transplantation and gene therapy for a variety of diseases.

Research Summary

• Hematopoietic cell transplantation and gene therapy for non-malignant disorders including sickle cell disease and thalassemia
• Supportive care for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Teaching Summary

Resident, fellow, and student education in general hematology

Clinical Summary

Non-malignant (benign) hematology; Hematopoietic cell transplantation Gene therapy; Bone marrow failure; Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Bio

Dr. Kratzke graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1983 and completed his residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in 1986. Between 1986 and 1988, he did research at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin Madison in the laboratory of Dr. Jeff Ross. He was a Medical Oncology Fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health from 1988 to 1991, and stayed at the NCI doing research with Dr Frederick Kaye until 1994. From 1993 through 1994, Dr. Kratzke was also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. From 1994 to 2004, he was a Staff Physician at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center in the Section of Hematology/Oncology.

Research Summary

Dr. Kratzke is a member of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program at the Masonic Cancer Center. He has spent his entire career in translational mesothelioma and lung cancer research beginning during his fellowship at the NCI-Navy Medical Oncology Branch (John Minna, Director). Based on his accomplishments in 2004 he was awarded the John Skoglund Chair for Lung Cancer Research at the University of Minnesota. In recent years he has redirected his research interests to the dual projects of oncolytic virotherapy and targeting cap-mediated translation for lung cancer or mesothelioma therapy. In addition, he holds leadership roles in the Alliance for Cancer Clinical Trials (Alliance) including directing thoracic oncology correlative science projects and serving as Vice-chair of the Respiratory Committee for this NIH sponsored organization. He has worked on numerous lung cancer projects for the CALGB including analyses of patient outcomes, biomarkers, and staging. He is active in the oversight and analysis of both the Alliance lung cancer tissue bank and PLCO tissue and blood samples. During the course of his career, he has mentored numerous fellows and trainees in the study of mesothelioma and lung cancer including funded researchers at institutions such as Stanford University, the University of Minnesota, and the Minneapolis VA Medical Center among others.

Clinical Summary

Mesothelioma; Lung Cancer

Bio

Dr. Kulkarni is a Medical Oncologist specializing in thoracic malignancies. His research is focused on developing novel biomarkers of immunotherpay response. Dr. Kulkarni also has interest in evaluating the role of microbiome in cancer development and treatment. He also acts as site Principal Investigator for several cancer therapy clinical trials. He joined the faculty in 2020 after completing his fellowship at the University of Minnesota.

Research Summary

Dr. Kulkarni has special interest in evaluating the role of gut and tumor Microbiome in cancer development and treatment. He also has interest in precision oncology trials and early phase clinical trials. 

Clinical Summary

Thoracic Malignancies

Bio

Dr. Lange is a Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota. She holds the Tickle Family Land Grant Endowed Chair of Breast Cancer Research. She received her PhD from the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy in 1991. She holds memberships in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), The Endocrine Society (ES) and Women in Endocrinology (WE). Dr. Lange serves as teaching faculty in the U of MN Department of Pharmacology Graduate Program, the Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology (MICAB) Graduate Program, the Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development (GCD) Graduate Program, and the MSTP (MD/PhD Combined) Program. She has served on several NIH Study Sections including Biochemical Endocrinology, Metabolic Physiology, Tumor Cell Biology, and Molecular Oncogenesis. She is on the Board of Scientific Advisors to the NIEHS. Dr. Lange is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal of Endocrinology (The Endocrine Society - Oxford Academic Journals)

Research Summary

The Lange Lab is focused on the role of steroid hormone receptors (SRs) in breast and ovarian cancers. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptors (PRs) are ligand-activated and context-dependent transcription factors that are essential for development of the breast and reproductive tract. Altered sex hormone levels contribute to cancer risk in these tissues and drive metabolic and cell fate transitions associated with rapid tumor progression. The presence of abnormally activated ERs and imbalanced/activated PR and GR isoforms in hormone-driven tumors can dramatically influence response to endocrine or other therapies. Our overarching research goal is to better understand how SR+ breast cancers and other hormone-influenced cancers of reproductive tissues escape endocrine (i.e. SR-blocking) or other molecular targeted therapies that primarily target signaling pathways that are active in proliferating cancer cells.Ongoing projects encompass the following research themes and their molecular mechanisms:• ER and PR isoform signaling cross talk in luminal breast cancer progression• Ligand-independent actions of p-SRs and p-SR-containing complexes in breast cancer• Altered SR actions in the context of ESR1 mutations or BRCA1/2 loss or mutation• Cellular "stress" sensing by phospho-GR in triple negative breast cancer progression• Fallopian tube transformation and early SR+ serous ovarian cancer progression• Cell fate plasticity (cell cycle exit/entry into G0) and breast cancer stem cell biology• Mechanisms of and biological role of cancer cell dormancy/quiescence and senescence• SR and signaling pathway regulation of breast cancer stem cell populations and biology• Breast cancer metastatic cell dissemination as circulating tumor cell/stem cell clusters.

Research Interest: Solid Tumors

Bio

After completing undergraduate studies in biochemistry at SUNY College at Geneseo, Dr. Lou received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees (Microbiology and Immunology) from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2004. He performed his residency training in Internal Medicine at Duke University Medical Center and then subsequently completed his Medical Oncology and Hematology fellowship at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 2010. He also completed an additional fellowship in Neuro-Oncology at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. Dr. Lou, a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, is board certified in Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine. In addition he is also board certified in Neuro-Oncology through the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. He joined the faculty in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation in 2011 and is a member of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. Care Philosophy New Patients If you are scheduled or interested in scheduling a clinic consultation with Dr. Lou, click here for more information and a welcome from Dr. Lou. Tips to be a Great Patient Advocate Dr. Lou's interview with Caringbridge.org

Research Summary

Role of tunneling nanotubes in intercellular communication and pathophysiology of cancer.  Biomarkers of drug resistance in cancer Genomic markers of exceptional response or non-response to drug therapy in solid tumor malignancies (colorectal cancer and malignant brain tumors) 

Clinical Summary

Appendix Cancer; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pancreatic Cancer; Esophageal Cancer; Gastric Cancer; Colorectal Cancer; Cancer Metastasis; Solid Tumor Metastasis to the Brain; Brain Tumors

Bio

I specialize in treating blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma utilizing chemotherapy and radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and cellular therapy. I focus particularly on cellular therapies such as bone marrow transplantation and modified lymphocytes (CAR-T and CAR-NK). My research focuses on making these products safer to administer and more widely available.

Research Summary

My research focuses on utilizing biomarkers to predict outcomes of novel cellular therapies. In the short term, this will allow for better patient care and safer delivery of these novel treatments. In the long run, it will allow us to determine who benefits and who doesn't from these, and more specifically, what to do with patients who are unlikely to benefit.

Clinical Summary

T-cell lymphoma; Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; Acute leukemia; Bone marrow transplant; Cellular therapies; CAR-T cells

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Sarah Strommer
Email: strom721@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Summary
I am a medical oncologist and clinical researcher and care for and treat primarily patients with lung or head and neck cancers as part of the thoracic oncology group. My research lies at the clinical end of the translational spectrum and focuses on development and implementation of novel immunotherapies, including cellular therapies, for lung cancers and other solid tumor malignancies.
Clinical Summary
Thoracic oncology; Lung cancers; Head and Neck cancers; Immunotherapies; Cellular therapies; Clinical trials
Research Summary
Clinical trials; Drug development; Targeted therapy; Immunotherapy; Cellular therapy
Education
PhD, University of Minnesota
MD, University of Minnesota
Training
Residency (Internal Medicine), University of Pennsylvania
Fellowship (Hematology and Oncology), University of Pennsylvania
 

Bio

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

Summary

I am a hematologist specializing in disorders of thrombosis (clotting) and hemostasis (bleeding).  I practice in the inpatient consultative setting, where I help teams manage disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis in hospitalized patients.  I have a specific interest in women's health and how clotting and bleeding disorders are impact and are impacted by issues including menorrhagia, pregnancy, menopause, and gender-affirming hormonal therapy.  In addition to my clinical practice, I am an advocate for women (physicians and patients) and focus my advocacy efforts on gender equity in medicine as well as leadership development for women physicians.

Honors and Awards

2019                Mayo Clinic Graduate Medical Education (GME) Innovation Award;

2017                Mayo Clinic Teacher of the Year Award in Hematology-Oncology;

2017                Mayo Clinic Endowment for Education Research Award;

2015                Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine Innovation Award in Quality Improvement;

2013                Partners Center of Expertise Medical Education Travel Award;

2009                Harvard Medical School Bemy Jelin '91 Prize (overall academic excellence with a career interest in oncology)

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

Women in Medicine 501(c)3: Chief Innovation Officer and Chair of Speakers' Bureau; American Society of Hematology Women in Hematology Working Group:  Co-Chair; American Society of Hematology Maternal Health Task Force; IGNITEMed: Curriculum Chair; American Medical Women's Association

Research Interests

Gender Equity; Women's Health

Clinical Interests

Consultative Classical Hematology; Thrombosis and Hemostasis; Women's Hematology

Academic Interests

Leadership Development; Gender Equity; Women's Health and Advocacy

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Phone: 612-626-6553
Email: rosch053@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
I am a clinical researcher in rare blood disorders, with a particular focus on thrombotic microangiopathies. In 2014, I co-founded and now co-direct the US Thrombotic Microangiopathies (USTMA) Consortium, with the goal of improving outcomes in these rare diseases through collaborative clinical trials and translational research. I also lead several clinical trials in these and other rare blood disorders.

Research Summary

• Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
• Thrombotic Microangiopathies
• Disorders of Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Teaching Summary

Hematology

Clinical Summary

Hemophilia; Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Phone: 612-626-5906
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu

Summary
My research focus is in natural killer cell biology and their use in cancer therapy. My clinical interests are multiple myeloma and plasma cell dyscrasias.

Research Summary

Natural Killer Cell Biology and their use to treat cancers

Teaching Summary

Hematology

Clinical Summary

Multiple Myeloma; Plasma Cell Dyscrasias

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Amirah Muwahid
Phone: 612-626-4024
Lab Phone: 612-626-4217
Email: muwah012@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 806
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Miller has been interested in NK cell biology, NK cell development, the acquisition of NK cell receptors and seamless translation into clinical trials throughout his entire academic career. Currently, the lab is focused on mechanisms which determine the enhanced function seen with CMV induced adaptive NK cells, facilitating immune synapses with IL-15 containing Trispecific Killer Engagers (TriKEs), IL-15 biology, NK cell killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) acquisition and function (NK cell education), and developing NK cell therapeutics.

Throughout his career at the University of Minnesota, he has mentored faculty and delivered hundreds of NK cells products to patients with cancer. His team has identified unique NKC2C+ NK cell repertoires exhibit a methylation signature of CD8+ T cells with properties of immune memory. Adaptive NK cells are distinctly different from canonical NK cells and signal through CD16 using a dominant CD3? signal by downregulation of FcR?R1?. Adaptive NK cells are better primed for killing, cytokine production, ADCC and exhibit unique metabolic signatures that enhance their survival. He has developed state-of-the-art functional readouts to study NK cells from the laboratory and the clinic based on high resolution testing. He was the first to report that haploidentical allogeneic human NK cells can persist and expand for up to one month after adoptive transfer. Based on these studies a significant part of his effort is trying to understand how to exploit NK cells for therapeutic purposes against infection and cancer and how to improve outcomes from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Clinically, he has developed first-in-human trials using allogeneic donor NK cells, rhIL-15, IL-15/IL-15R?-Fc (ALT-803, now called N-803), an NK cell TriKE that engages NK cells and AML targets that costimulates NK cells with an IL-15 linker. Dr. Miller's experience and translational expertise has supported a transition from individual related donor NK cell products to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived NK cells. Advantages of using this off-the-shelf platform include the flexibility of multiple gene edits, immediate cryopreserved product availability, multi-doing strategies and combinatorial therapy with targeted agents to enhance NK cell function.

Dr. Miller is devoted to team science and mentoring. He has supervised > 400 NK cell products and sponsored >10 INDs and his team has studied >4000 transplant patients. Dr. Miller's experience, NIH grants and translational expertise provides a rich environment for training.

Research Summary

Natural Killer (NK) Cell Development 

Throughout his academic career Dr. Miller has been interested in NK cell biology. His laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms of NK cell development and determining how NK cell killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) acquisition affects NK cell function through a process referred to as NK cell education or licensing. Most recently, he has been exploring the role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation after hematopoietic cell transplantation in enhancing NK cell reconstitution and function. CMV is the only virus known to induce the development of ”adaptive” NK cells with memory properties which are long lived and exhibit enhanced responses to subsequent exposures. Dr. Miller and his team have identified these adaptive NK cells in humans and determined that they have a methylation signature remarkably similar to that of CD8+ T cells. His long-term goal is to translate these novel findings into better NK-cell based immunotherapies to treat cancer without the morbidity of CMV infection.

Targeted Immunotherapy to Treat Human Cancer 

Dr. Miller was the first to report that related donor haploidentical allogeneic NK cells can expand after adoptive transfer and induce remission in patients with refractory leukemia. Building on this landmark study, he spends significant effort developing novel methods to exploit NK cells therapeutically to treat infections, to cure cancer and to improve outcomes from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). He also leads a focused effort to understand the association of KIR immunogenetics with protection against relapse after allogeneic HCT. Dr. Miller and his team have demonstrated that transplants from donors with favorable KIR genes protect against relapse of acute myeloid leukemia after unrelated donor HCT. He is currently testing novel strategies to activate NK cells in vivo (using novel proteins such as interleukin-15) and to create antigen-specific NK cells with Bispecific Killer Engagers (BiKEs), which are proteins that facilitate targeting of tumor antigens by NK cells.

Current Discovery & Research Themes in the Miller Laboratory:

• NK cells and their receptors after hematopoietic cell transplantation
• CMV induced adaptive NK cells exhibit enhanced function through CD16
• Induction of NK cells antigen specificity through CD16 targeting
• Preserving and enhancing NK cell function through antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicy (ADCC)

Clinical Summary

Bone marrow transplant; Cancer immunotherapy

Bio

Dr. O’Leary 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 such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia utilizing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, cellular therapy, and bone marrow transplant.

Creative Activity Summary

• Clinical Trials
• Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapies

Teaching Summary

Hematology

Clinical Summary

"Multiple Myeloma, T-cell lymphoma, Cellular therapies, Bone Marrow Transplant"

Bio

Administrator Info
Lab Phone: 612-624-8201
Phone: 612-626-5475
Email: mccadmin@umn.edu
Mail: Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building
1st Floor Mailroom CCRB
2812A (Campus Delivery Code)
2231 6th St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Julie Ostrander, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and a member of the Cellular Mechanisms of Cancer Program at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. Dr. Ostrander received her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds memberships in the American Association for Cancer Research and the Endocrine Society.

Research Summary

Dr. Ostrander's research focuses on studying the scaffolding protein PELP1 in the context of breast cancer progression. Our recent studies have found that PELP1 signaling 1) promotes cell survival in the presence of tamoxifen, 2) enhances breast epithelial cell migration through upregulation inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and most recently 3) promotes CSC phenotypes in models of ER-positive breast cancer. We have identified a novel cytoplasmic interaction between PELP1 and SRC-3. The objective of our current research is to identify the molecular mechanisms associated with PELP1-induced BCSC phenotypes and therapy resistance.

Research Interest: Solid Tumors

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Sarah Strommer
Phone: 612-625-9604
Email: strom721@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware ST SE
MMC 480
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Patel received a BS in Molecular Biology from Vanderbilt University in 1996. He then attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, receiving a Doctor of Osteopathy degree in 2001. Dr. Patel then pursued residency in Internal Medicine at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. He followed this with a clinical research fellowship at Winthrop University Hospital (Mineola, NY) from 2004-2006. In 2006 he joined the Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation fellowship at the University of Minnesota and in July 2010 became a faculty member of the Division. Dr. Patel is a physician-scientist researching oncolytic virus for lung cancer. In 2019, Dr. Patel became the associate program director for the hematology, oncology, and transplantation fellowship program. He also leads the experimental therapeutics phase I clinical program at the University of Minnesota.

Clinical Summary

Thoracic oncology; Experimental therapies; Head and neck cancer; Mesothelioma

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Sarah Strommer
Phone: 612-625-9604
Lab Phone: 612-626-7207
Email: strom721@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919
Mail: 420 Delaware ST SE
MMC 480
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
After undergraduate studies in biology at M.I.T., Dr. Potter received M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Johns Hopkins University. He trained in Internal Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center, and in Hematology and Oncology at Tufts-New England Medical Center. He performed post-doctoral studies at the M.I.T. Center for Cancer Research in the laboratory of Dr. Phillip Sharp. He was on the faculty at Tufts University, the Indiana University Cancer Center and moved to the University of Minnesota in 2006, where he is a member of the Breast Cancer Program at the Masonic Cancer Center.

Research Summary

• Novel therapeutics for breast cancer

Regulation of calpain proteases and their roles in cytoskeletal remodeling; the roles of cytochrome P450 in breast cancer progression
Three enzymatic pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism, involving cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and epoxygenases, have been identified in mammalian cells, but only the first two have been mechanistically linked to human cancer. The HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir is a potent inhibitor of epoxygenases that arrests the growth of breast cancer xenografts, but its mechanism of action is unknown. Epoxygenases promote the production of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET’s) that activate Akt kinase. Our studies seek to determine whether epoxygenases are cancer therapeutic targets. The hypothesis to be tested is that epoxygenase activation promotes breast cancer progression by promoting Akt phosphorylation and cancer cell survival. Based on our observations we are asking the following questions: What are the molecular mechanisms by which epoxygenases cause growth dysregulation in breast cancer? Do epoxygenases enhance the transforming activities of oncogenes in mammary carcinoma? Do epoxygenase pathways require Hsp90 activity for cancer cell survival? Targeted lipidomics will be used to assay EET regio- and stereoisomers. These studies will promote further development of epoxygenases as targets for breast cancer therapeutics.

Clinical Summary

Novel therapeutics for breast cancer

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Phone: 612-626-5906
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Ajay Prakash is a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal malignancies. His research is focused on understanding the relationship between the tumor microenvironment, prognosis, and treatment response, with a specific focus on the role of the microbiome in this process. A better understanding of the microbiome, the community of organisms that reside in most human tissues, may allow us to better tailor treatments and offer patient specific guidance on cancer prevention. Clinically, Dr. Prakash is committed to healthcare equity and the delivery of high-quality, academic medicine to historically underserved communities.

Research Summary

• Gastrointestinal Malignancies
• Microbiome
• Tumor Immunology
• Healthcare Disparities

Teaching Summary

Solid Tumor Oncology

Clinical Summary

Gastrointestinal Malignancies; Healthcare Equity

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Summary
Clinically Dr. Premnath focuses on myeloid malignancies and a premalignant condition called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential. Having completed training in palliative care in addition to hematology/oncology, a main focus of his research has been supportive care for cancer patients as well as other aspects of cancer care like financial toxicity that matter most to patients and caregivers. He is actively involved in clinical research in the myeloid realm and has recently had a Phase 1 trial approved in MDS/AML. He looks forward to starting a clonal hematopoiesis focused clinic and a biobank as part of that effort.
Awards and Recognition Received
Conquer Cancer Merit Award - ASCO Annual Meeting 05/2023
Fellowship Research Award- UTSW Medical Center in 2022 & 2023
TxSCO Outstanding Fellows Abstract Award 10/2021
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
American Society of Hematology
American Society of Oncology
American association for cancer research
Clinical Title
Hematologist; Oncologist
Research Interests
MDS/AML 
CHIP 
Supportive care 
Phase 1 trials
Clinical Interests
MDS 
AML 
CHIP 
MPN 
CML 
Academic Interests
Translational research
Pallonc
Supportive care 
Preferred Pronouns
He/Him

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Audra Field
Phone: 612-626-3003
Email: afield@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 480
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Reding received his M.D. in 1992 from the University of Minnesota. He also completed residency training in Internal Medicine and subspecialty training in Hematology/Oncology at the University of Minnesota. He is board certified in both Hematology and Medical Oncology.

Clinical Summary

Bleeding and clotting disorders, Hemophilia

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Email: rosch053@umn.edu

Summary
Dr. Rizvi is a hematologist and oncologist who specializes in lymphoproliferative disorders, with a niche interest in cutaneous lymphomas. Dr. Rizvi earned his medical degree at Aga Khan University Medical College in Pakistan.  After completing internal medicine residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, he completed a fellowship in geriatric medicine at Jackson Health System Miami in 2012, where he was awarded the Faculty Prize for that year.  He went on to complete a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in 2015 and stayed there as faculty until he was recruited by the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Division at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he was instrumental in setting up the first multidisciplinary cutaneous lymphoma program in North Texas. His research interests are in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, cutaneous T cell lymphomas, and frailty in cancer.

Research Summary

• Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders
• Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas
• Frailty in Cancer

Clinical Summary

• Lymphoproliferative Disorders
• Cutaneous Lymphomas

Bio

Administrator Info
Phone: 612-626-5475
Lab Phone: 612-626-5045
Email: mccadmin@umn.edu
Mail: Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building
University of Minnesota
1st Floor Mailroom CCRB
2812A (Campus Delivery Code)
2231 6th St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Sachdev is a member of the Cellular Mechanisms Program of the Masonic Cancer Center. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She holds memberships in the American Association for Cancer Research and the Endocrine Society.

Research Summary

Dr. Sachdev's research interests focus on the regulation of breast cancer biology by growth factors such as insulin-like growth factors, growth factor targeted therapy for breast cancer, and development of biomarkers for growth factor-targeted therapy. Her laboratory is examining the use of non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy and gene array signatures to predict and monitor response to inhibition of insulin-like growth factor signaling in breast cancer cell growth and metastasis. She is also examining the mechanisms by which insulin-like growth factors regulate metastasis of breast cancer cells using animal models of metastasis and in vivo imaging.

Research Interest: Solid Tumors

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Karen Fitz
Phone: 612-626-5906
Email: fitz0355@umn.edu
Mail: Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 480
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Zohar Sachs received her undergraduate degree, a BS in Chemical Engineering, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge). She then attended the Tufts Medical School Medical Scientist Training Program (Boston), receiving an MD/PhD. Dr. Sachs completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center (Boston). Dr. Sachs conducted her fellowship in Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota. In 2012, she joined the faculty as a physician-scientist.Dr. Sachs leads a basic and translational research lab focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms of self-renewal in acute myelogenous leukemia. Dr. Sachs specializes in the care of patients with hematological malignancies.

Research Summary

Acute myeloid leukemia stem calls
My lab’s goal is to identify molecular mechanisms of leukemia stem cell self-renewal in primary murine and human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Self-renewal is a feature of leukemia stem cells that allow them to recapitulate leukemia and cause relapse. Since AML cells are highly heterogenous, we specialize in the application of single-cell, high throughput technologies (including mass cytometry/CyTOF and single-cell RNA sequencing) to address these research questions.

My earlier work demonstrated that the activated NRAS oncogene mediates self-renewal in AML and that individual leukemia cells vary significantly in their functional status and ability to self-renew (Sachs et al. Blood 2014). Recently, we defined the gene expression profile of AML self-renewal at the single-cell level and used this data to identify a functionally unique subset of leukemia cells with leukemia-repopulating potential. We are using these approaches to identify effective therapeutic targets for this deadly disease.

Clinical Summary

AML; Myeloid malignancies; Leukemia; Bone marrow diseases; Lymphoma; Myelodysplastic syndrome; Multiple Myeloma; Other Plasma Cell Neoplasm

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Email: rosch053@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-6919
Mail: 420 Delaware ST SE, MMC 480, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Skubitz has led the medical oncology arm of the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor program at the University since 1988. He received an AB in physics and chemistry from Cornell University and an MD from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and then did internal medicine training at the University of Minnesota. He completed two fellowships, one in Clinical Pharmacology at Johns Hopkins and one in Medical Oncology at the University of Minnesota.

Research Summary

Dr. Skubitz cares for patients with a variety of malignancies and related diseases. His research primarily involves drug development and clinical trials, including the use of genomics to identify new drug targets and predict disease outcome.

Clinical Summary

Variety of malignancies and related diseases including sarcomas and kidney cancer; Bone and soft tissue cancer

Bio

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

Summary
Dr. Tracy graduated from the combined MD/PhD program at Tufts University, receiving his PhD in Immunology. His graduate research focused on the basic biology of the Epstein-Barr Virus. He subsequently completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. During residency, he studied clinical outcomes of patients with lymphoma. He then enrolled in the fellowship program in Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota, where he was selected for the T32 academic research track. His research now examines mechanisms of immune escape by leukemias and lymphomas. Both his research interest and clinical practice have a particular focus on acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 2021.

Research Summary

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Immune therapies

Teaching Summary

“Blood” coursework for medical students

Clinical Summary

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Lymphoma; Immune therapies

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: Linsey Roschen
Email: rosch053@umn.edu

Summary
For over 40 years at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Vercellotti has focused on studies of inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular biology, atherosclerosis, and sickle cell disease (SCD). His laboratory pioneered investigations of how the vasculature can adapt to oxidative stress and hemoglobin/heme by inducing cellular cytoprotectants including heme oxygenase-1, carbon monoxide, and ferritin. Using transgenic sickle mice, innovative models to study vaso-occlusion, and novel gene therapy techniques, his laboratory defined the pathologic role of hemolysis in vaso-occulsion and established the paramount importance of dealing with hemolysis by detoxifying heme with heme oxygenase and the anti-inflammatory properties of carbon monoxide. His lab has developed a robust and reproducible dorsal skin-fold chamber method that measures vaso-occlusion in sickle mice and allows the in vivo testing of drugs affecting vaso-occlusion. He and colleagues have previously used gene therapy with Sleeping Beauty transposons to overexpress heme oxygenase-1, the heme binding protein hemopexin, and the iron-binding protein heavy chain ferritin in the livers of SCD mice, as well as erythroid-specific expression of non-sickling adult beta-globin in primary CD34+ cells. Recent work has shown that heme released from sickle RBCs interacts with the innate immune toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on endothelium and blood cells to activate pro-inflammatory signaling in SCD. Current work is focused on discovering novel therapeutic approaches to modulate TLR4 signaling with targeted inhibitors.

Research Summary

Dr. Vercellotti's research focuses on inflammation and endothelial cell biology, the role of inflammation in vaso-occlusion in sickle cell anemia, the role of infection in atherosclerosis and vascular disease, and oxidative stress and vascular disease. His clinical interests range from coagulation and bleeding disorders, platelet disorders, red cell disorders, porphyria, bone marrow transplant, leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma to immunologic deficiencies.Dr. Vercellotti's lab demonstrated that the abundant physiological iron contained in heme, is a powerful catalyst for LDL oxidation which could activate and damage endothelial cells. Heme readily enters cell membranes and the endothelium becomes hyper- susceptible to oxidant-mediated cytolysis. They demonstrated how the vasculature defends itself against heme mediated injury by the induction of the cellular cytoprotectants, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and ferritin, leading to resistance to oxidant-mediated injury. They showed in vivo relevance of this cytoprotection in a variety of models from rhabdomyolysis to sickle cell disease (SCD). His lab provided significant evidence for the important role of inflammation in vaso-occlusion in SCD. They demonstrated that decreasing inflammation or decreasing reactive oxygen species, inhibiting adhesion molecules, all decrease vaso-occlusion in murine models of sickle cell disease using a unique physiological model. Due to hemolysis, both human SCD and murine SCD model have increased HO-1. They demonstrated that HO-1, when overexpressed in sickle animals, prevents hypoxia induced vaso-occlusion. Furthermore, the products of HO-1, biliverdin and CO could also modulate vaso-occlusion.Recent work has shown that heme released from sickle RBCs interacts with the innate immune toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on endothelium and blood cells to activate pro-inflammatory signaling in SCD. Current work is focused on discovering novel therapeutic approaches to modulate vaso-occlusion with targeted inhibitors of TLR4, complement and BACH1. He is also collaborating on developing gene therapies and gene editing for sickle cell disease. He is a co-investigator on clinical trials for gene therapy for sickle cell disease and pi for trials for gene editing for thalassemia.

Teaching Summary

Dr. Vercellotti's entire career has been focused on education. Multiple undergraduate, graduate, and, postdoctoral students, as well as residents and fellows, have rotated in his laboratory and have become faculty members at prestigious medical centers around the world. His love of education and mentoring is reflected by his experiences in directing internal medicine clerkships, directing the 2nd year hematology blood course, developing objectives with colleagues of the American Society for Hematology for all medical schools for 2nd year medical school blood courses, and serving for 7 years as Senior Associate Dean for Education, overseeing all aspects of medical education, ranging from admissions, curriculum, MD/PhD program, Graduate Medical Education, Continuing Medical Education, Allied Health, and programs to advance diversity in our health care profession. He has overseen the T32 grant for training in Hematology since 2010, developed new curriculum for Responsible Conduct of Research, and grant writing skills for future scientists. The training grant in hematology for 45 years has trained national and international leaders in hematology. Today the program continues to successfully prepare physicians and scientists for research careers as evidenced by the high percentage of T32 trainees that are academic or industry scientists. He has been involved in the MSTP and PSTP programs since their inception. 

Clinical Summary

Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, Hemochromatosis, Iron-related disease, Porphyria, Anemia, White Blood Cell Disorders, Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Immunodeficiency

Bio

Administrator Info
Mail: 420 Delaware ST SE
MMC 480
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Weisdorf is Professor of Medicine and Deputy Director, University of Minnesota Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Dr. Weisdorf serves as the Senior Research Advisor for the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. At the University of Minnesota, he was the Director of the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation (2013-2018), Director of Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Program (1998-2017) and served as the Principal Investigator on the NIH-sponsored Blood and Marrow Transplantation Clinical Trials Network and Chair of the Network Steering Committee (2001-2016).Dr. Weisdorf received his M.D. in 1975 from the Chicago Medical School and received Internal Medicine training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. He was a Fellow at the University of Minnesota in Hematology and Medical Oncology and is Board certified in both disciplines.

Research Summary

Dr. Weisdorf's clinical and research interests are in application of blood and marrow transplant therapies for hematologic malignancies as well as extensive study of the clinical complications of transplantation including opportunistic infections and graft versus host disease (GVHD).

Bio

I am a medical oncologist with a specialty in breast cancer. My laboratory has been interested in the regulation of cancer cells by the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin. I also maintain an active clinical practice in the medical management of breast cancer. As part of my clinical care, I also serve as the site principal investigator on several clinical trials that employ experimental therapies targeted against IGF receptor and the PI3K pathway. I am chair in of the Agent Selection Committee of I-SPY2 and I also serve on the Executive Committee of this trial designed to validate investigational therapies in the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer. I have been the director of the Masonic Cancer Center since 2007. I have maintained these clinical, translational, and research activities to best identify strategies for improved outcomes in cancer.

Research Summary

Administrator Info
Name: Marina Sladojevic
Phone: 612-626-5475
Email: marinas@umn.edu
Mail: Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
420 Delaware Street SE
MMC 806
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary

My laboratory has been interested in the regulation of cancer cells by insulin and the insulin-like growth factors ( IGFs ). Our laboratory was one of the first to show a role for this pathway in Ewing's sarcoma and breast cancer. The laboratory remains focused on the signaling pathways regulated by the IGFs that are relevant to cancer biology. We have shown that IGF signaling is dependent on activation of specific adaptor proteins and downstream signaling molecules. Our lab is also evaluating the role for the fetal isoform of the insulin receptor (IR-A) in breast cancer biology. Interactions between estrogen receptor expressing breast cancers and insulin/IGFs result in enhanced growth and increased survival. While some anti-IGF strategies have been tested in clinical trials, toxicities and lack of targeting of IR-A has limited the clinical efficacy and the laboratory is working on strategies to target IR-A specifically without inhibition of the adult isoform of insulin receptor (IR-B).

Clinical Summary

Breast cancer

Bio

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

Summary
Dr. Zorko received his MD and PhD at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he first became interested in bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapies. He then completed his clinical residency and fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. His primary research interest is development of novel natural killer cells and immune engagers to treat solid tumors, with a particular focus on castration-resistant prostate cancer. He sees genitourinary oncology patients in the clinic and attends on the inpatient bone marrow transplant/cellular therapy team

Research Summary

• Natural Killer cell therapeutic development
• Solid tumor microenvironment
• Immune therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer

Teaching Summary

• Pre-medical mentoring
• clinical education

Clinical Summary

• Prostate cancer
• bladder cancer
• cellular/immunotherapy clinical trials