Research Interests
Genomics and whole genome sequencing of acute myeloid leukemia (AML); genetic risk assessment in AML; genetic and epigenetic features of AML initiation and progression; clonal hematopoiesis; clonal heterogeneity; DNMT3A mutations and their impact on DNA methylation and pathogenesis; pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia initiated by PML::RARA; mouse models of AML; immunologic features of AML and its bone marrow microenvironment.
Current Affiliations
Codirector, physician scientist training program, medicine; professor of medicine, medicine; professor of genetics, genetics; Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Previous Positions
Director, section of stem cell biology, oncology (2000-2022); associate director for cancer genomics, McDonnell Genome Institute (2008-2019); associate director for basic science, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center (2000-2008); director, Hematopoiesis Research Center (1994-2000); associate professor of medicine, genetics (1990-1993), assistant professor of genetics, genetics (1986-1993), assistant professor of medicine, medicine (1986-1990), senior investigator, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (1984-1986), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Education
MD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (1978); BA, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa (1974).
Postdoctoral Training
Hematology-oncology fellow (1983-1984), Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri; clinical associate, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (1980-1983), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; assistant resident (1979-1980) and intern in medicine (1978-1979), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
Selected AACR Service, Honors, and Awards
Member, AACR Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research Committee (2026-present); member, AACR Professional Excellence Program (PEP) Steering Committee (2026-present); member, editorial board, Blood Cancer Discovery (2020-present); member, HMWG Steering Committee (2025-2028); keynote speaker, AACR Speaker Symposium on DNA Methylation, Clonal Hematopoiesis, and Cancer (2025); keynote speaker, 9th Workshop on Clinical Translation of Epigenetics in Cancer Therapy, AACR (2019); plenary speaker, AACR Symposium “Targeting DNA methylation and Chromatin for Cancer Therapy, Atlanta (2018); plenary speaker, Sinai lecture, AACR Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana (2016); plenary speaker, AACR Annual Meeting, San Diego, California (2014); plenary speaker, AACR Symposium on Apoptosis in Cancer (2005).
Selected Non-AACR Service, Honors, and Awards
Recipient, Margaret L. Kripke Legend Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center (2025); recipient, Henry M. Stratton Medal, American Society of Hematology (2022); recipient, 50th Leopold Griffuel Prize, Basic Science, French ARC Foundation for Cancer Research, Paris, France (2022); member, National Cancer Advisory Board (2015-2021); elected member, National Academy of Sciences (2019); recipient, Carl and Gerty Cori Award for Faculty Achievement, Washington University (2016); recipient, David Workman Memorial Award, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, New York, New York (2016); recipient, Distinguished Faculty Award, Washington University Medical School (2015); recipient, Erasmus Hematology Prize, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2015); recipient, Alfred Knudson Prize for Cancer Genetics, National Cancer Institute (2015); recipient, Distinguished Scientist Award, Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) (2014); member, NHGRI Board of Scientific Counselors (2008-2013); chair, NHGRI Board of Scientific Counselors (2009-2013); recipient, E. Donnall Thomas Award and Lecture, American Society of Hematology (2012); recipient, George Engleman Award, St. Louis Academy of Science (2012); recipient, 2nd Century Award, Washington University (2011); recipient, Alumni Achievement Award, Drake University (2010); elected, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2010); chair, Lewis T. and Rosalind B. Apple in Oncology (2009-present); recipient, American Society of Hematology Mentor Award (2008); member, International Cancer Genomics Consortium Scientific Planning Committee (2007-present); member, Association of American Physicians Council (2007-2012).