Director, Myeloma Research Unit, NYU Langone, Perlmutter Cancer Centre, New York, USA
One of the joys of being a physician is meeting and interacting with people. Medicine was a natural career choice for me because of my interest in the biological sciences, in people, and in their health. I chose hematology—the diagnosis and treatment of blood diseases—as a specialty because I loved the idea of using laboratory investigation to understand disease pathology and use that information to personalize treatment.
As director of multiple myeloma research at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, I work with a team of premier doctors who provide outstanding care for patients with multiple myeloma. It is a privilege to be able to offer my patients the best advice and care as part of a program that is focused on finding a cure for myeloma and keeping people disease-free for the longest period of time possible after their treatment.
I have a particular focus on disease prevention strategies and treating patients with high-risk disease and relapsed disease. I also treat pre-myeloma conditions, including smoldering multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and related disorders such as Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, a rare blood cancer caused by excess of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow.
I use the latest technology and my specialized knowledge of genetics to “fingerprint” and distinguish the different types of multiple myeloma. This helps create tailored therapeutic approaches to various subtypes of melanoma. Customizing therapy in this way can more precisely target the cancerous cells and achieve the best outcomes with minimum side effects.
I also research the precursor stages of disease with the aim of early diagnosis and prevention of early or more advanced stage myeloma. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous progress in multiple myeloma treatment, and I strive to bring these advances to the clinic as soon as possible.
I have pioneered studies on the genetics and treatment of multiple myeloma and have published more than 500 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. I also speak regularly at major scientific meetings. I lead clinical trials and study the molecular mechanisms related to multiple myeloma with the aim of targeting novel treatments and cellular therapies that improve outcomes.