The faculty of the Hematology T32 Training Program consist of 35 preceptor faculty members belonging to 13 departments and Institutes.
Alphabetical Listing of T32 Preceptor Faculty
Arepally, Gowthami MD (Basic, Translational and Clinical, Track II): Dr. Arepally is the Program Director for the Heme T32 Training Program. She leads a long-standing NIH-funded basic and translational research program in HIT with a focus on complement’s role in the pathogenesis of antibody formation and thrombosis. Dr. Arepally also leads clinical research investigations of novel therapies for aHUS and iTTP. She is the former mentor of Dr. Lee, a T32 alumna, who now has an independently funded research program as well as Dr. Khandelwal who is also leading an independent research program in innate immunity. See: Arepally Lab Website
Ashley-Koch, Allison PhD (Basic Research/Translational Research, Tracks I & IV): Dr. Ashley-Koch is Professor of Medicine, Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and faculty member of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute. Dr. Ashley-Koch’s NIH funded laboratory uses quantitative methods to identify multi-omic (genetic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, metabolomic, proteomic) predictors of human disease. Dr.Ashley-Koch’s current hematologic research focuses on genetic modifiers of sickle cell co-morbidities, including nephropathy, alloimmunization, disease severity and aging.
Chi, Jen-Tsan Ashley, PhD (Basic Research, Track IV): Dr. Chi is Professor in Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology. His laboratory investigates genetic determinants and disease relevance of ferroptosis, a newly recognized form of cell death, mammalian stringent response pathway and studied effects and genomic and single cell RNA analysis. His laboratory has been involved with the T32 program since 2008.
Brander, Danielle MD (Basic/Translational, Track III): Brander is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematologic Malignancies & Cellular Therapy and a T32 alumna (2011-2012). Dr. Brander’s clinical research program investigates prognostic and therapeutic aspects of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Chao, Nelson MD (Basic, Translational and Clinical, Track III):Dr. Chao is the Donald D. and Elizabeth G. Cooke Cancer Research Professor, Professor of Medicine, Immunology and Pathology and former Chief of the Division of HMCT. Dr. Chao’s research spans the spectrum of basic, translational and clinical research and includes studies of clinical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, basic studies of graft v. host disease and translations studies of biomimetic platelets for treatment of radiation induced thrombocytopenia.
Fager, Ammon MD, PhD (Basic, Translational Research, Track II): Dr. Fager is a T32 alumnus (2013-2014) and was selected as a junior faculty preceptor for the T32 training grant given his scientific expertise in the biochemical basis of clotting and his outstanding record in teaching and education. Dr. Fager is currently funded on Veteran’s Affairs Career Development Award investigating structural and functional interactions of clotting factors, with a focus on novel bypassing therapies for individuals with hemophilia.
Gersbach, Charles PhD (Basic Research, Tracks III & IV): Dr. Gersbach is John W. Strohbehn Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering in Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering. He is new to the T32 training program and was invited to join based for his research on epigenetic programming of T-cells for cellular immunotherapy as well as novel gene therapy approaches for disease, such as sickle cell.
Haynes, Barton MD (Basic Research, Track IV): Dr. Haynes is the Fredric M. Hanes Professor of Medicine and Director of the Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Haynes’s internationally renowned research program applies cutting-edge molecular technologies to develop vaccines to human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis and influenza.
Holley, Christopher MD, PhD (Basic Research, Track IV): Dr. Holley is Associate Professor of Medicine and Co-Director for the Physician Scientist Training Program in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Holley is new to the training program and was asked to join based on his basic research program and advocacy of physician-scientist lab-based research. His laboratory investigates non-coding RNA (ncRNA) biology with a special emphasis on snoRNA (small nucleolar RNA).
Kang, Yubin MD (Basic/Translational, Track III): Dr. Kang is Professor of Medicine in the Division of HMCT, and a former T32 trainee (under Dr. Chao’s mentorship, 2008-2010). Dr. Kang’s basic research program investigates the role of sphingolipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and development of novel therapeutics for myeloma.
Khandelwal, Sanjay PhD (Basic/Translational Research, Track II): Dr. Khandelwal is Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and has been a long-standing collaborator of Dr. Arepally in studies of HIT. Dr. Khandelwal was asked to participate on the training grant based on his considerable scientific expertise in complement and his extensive collaborations within the Hematology Division. Dr. Khandelwal’s independent research program studies mechanisms of innate immunity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), for which he has Department of Defense funding. He is also the principal organizer of a monthly virtual complement meeting (Complement Interest Seminar; national audience).
Knisely, Mitch PhD (Clinical Research, Track I): Dr. Knisely is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and is joining as a new faculty member in the T32. Dr. Knisley’s extramurally funded research program investigates strategies to address pain and promote equitable pain care in individuals with sickle cell disease, with an emphasis on biopsychosocial contributors to individuals’ pain experiences, as well as pragmatic clinical trials evaluating the use of non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., acupuncture) for pain management
Kurtzberg, Joanne MD (Basic/Translational and Clinical, Track III): Dr. Kurtzberg is the Jerome S. Harris Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Pathology and the Director of the Marcus Center for Cellular Cures. Dr. Kurtzberg is a pioneer in the field of cord blood banking and transplantation having established the role of umbilical cord blood for treatment of a variety of hematologic and non-hematologic disorders.
Lee, Grace MD (Basic/Translational & Clinical Research, Tracks I & II): Dr. Lee is an Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology, Director of Duke’s Therapeutic Apheresis Service and Associate Medical Director of Duke Transfusion Services. She is an alumna of this training grant (2011-2013; mentored by Dr. Arepally) and was a junior preceptor in the last funding cycle. Her NIH-funded laboratory research program seeks to clarify neutrophil-RBC interactions in sickle cell disease and the effects of transfusion on neutrophil/RBC interactions. Dr. Lee’s research interests also extend to involvement of neutrophils in thrombotic disorders, including HIT, and development of novel methods to quantify neutrophil activation. She also conducts clinical research in therapeutic apheresis.
Marchuk, Douglas PhD (Basic/Translational Research, Track II & IV): Dr. Marchuk is the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology who is new to the Hematology T32 training grant. Dr. Marchuk is also a faculty preceptor for the pre-doctorate Duke’s T32 University Program in Genetics and Genomics (UPGG). Dr. Marchuk has a long-standing research program in angiogenesis and vascular malformations. His research identified key genetic loci causing Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) involving the endoglin and ALK-1 genes. Other ongoing research includes genetic studies of cerebral cavernous malformations and cardiac hypertrophy.
McMahon, Timothy MD, PhD (Basic/Translational Research, Track I): Dr. McMahon is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine. Dr. McMahon’s laboratory investigates red cell nitric oxide and ATP as red-cell mediators in circulatory health. Dr. McMahon’s research programs include studies of red cell-derived ATP in transfusion and sepsis.
Nikiforov, Mikhail PhD (Basic Research, Tracks III & IV): Dr. Nikiforov is Professor of Pathology in the Department of Pathology at Duke and joined Duke faculty in 2022. He is new to the T32 program and was asked to participate on the training grant, given his extensive research interests in metabolism and transcriptional dysregulation in myeloma and development of novel intracellular signaling probes (free GTP and RAC1) for understanding cellular signaling.
Ortel, Thomas MD, PhD (Clinical Research, Track II): Dr. Ortel is Professor of Medicine and Pathology and the Chief of the Division of Hematology. Dr. Ortel is also the hematology PI for the U2C/TL1 NC Kidney, Urology, Hematology (KUH) Training, Research, Innovation, Outreach (TRIO) program, an NIDDK-sponsored training award for trainees in Nephrology, Urology, and Hematology, in collaboration with Dr. Ronald Falk, at the University of North Carolina (Nephrology), and Dr. Anthony Atala, at the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine (Urology). Dr. Ortel’s research consists of both clinical and molecular studies underlying thrombotic disorders. Current research programs include studies of anticoagulants for treatment of the anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome and HIT. Genomic studies include investigations of genetic variants predisposing to thrombotic storm and the catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
Oyedeji, Charity MD (Clinical Research, Track I): Dr. Oyedeji is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and a T32 alumna (2018-2019 & 2020-2021). Dr. Oyedeji will be serving as a T32 (junior) preceptor faculty, based on her trailblazing work in characterizing aging in people with sickle cell disease. Dr. Oyedeji’s current research portfolio, funded by a K01 award, is a direct extension of her T32-sponsored research on applications of geriatric and frailty assessment in sickle cell disease. She is also an ASH Scholar and past recipient of a R03-Grant for Early Medical/Surgical Specialists’ Transition to Aging Research (GEMSSTAR) program to characterize frailty in older adults with sickle cell disease. She also developed the SickleFit Exercise program to improve function in older adults with SCD.
Rothman, Jennifer MD (Clinical Research, Tracks I & II): Dr. Rothman is a Professor of Pediatrics, Program Director for the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship and member of the T32 EC. Dr. Rothman’s research involves clinical studies of pediatric sickle cell disease, red cell pyruvate kinase deficiency, eltrombopag use in pediatric patients with ITP, and genomic studies of pediatric undiagnosed disease.
Sarantopoulos, Stefanie MD, PhD (Basic/Translational and Clinical Track III): Dr. Sarantopoulos is Professor of Medicine and Immunology, Chief of the Division of HMCT and a member of the T32 EC (since 2019). Her research focuses on human B cell signaling in the context of graft versus host disease.
Shah, Nirmish MD (Clinical Research, Track I): Dr. Shah is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and School of Nursing and a T32 alumnus (2008-2010). Dr. Shah’s clinical research program studies mobile health and wearable technologies to predict pain and clinical outcomes in sickle cell disease as well as health outcomes in young adults with sickle cell disease.
Shaz, Beth MD (Clinical Research, Track I & III) Dr. Shaz joined Duke faculty in 2020 and was recruited to the T32 training program as an EC member as well as a faculty preceptor based on her extensive research and leadership experience in transfusion medicine and cellular therapy. Dr. Shaz is working with Dr. Arepally to develop a clinical fellowship program in transfusion medicine that can identify potential candidates for T32 training program and promote recruitment through clinical and research networks, namely the Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion Collaborative and an informal Transfusion Medicine Fellowship Network, which she founded.
Southerland, Kevin MD (Basic/Translational & Clinical Research, Track II): Dr. Southerland is Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery with an expanding research program in vascular biology. He was invited to the T32 program as a junior faculty preceptor, based on his basic science investigations of the role of immune cells in peripheral arterial disease, for which he has a K08 award from NHLBI. In addition to this T32, Dr. Southerland also serves as a faculty preceptor for Duke’s Medical Scientist Training Program and the Stimulating Access to Research in Residency R38 Program awarded by the NHLBI.
Strouse, JJ MD, PhD (Clinical Research, Track I): Dr. Strouse is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology. Dr. Strouse’s research investigates environmental modifiers of severity in children with SCD and the application of functional assessment to guide the treatment of older adults with sickle cell disease. Dr. Strouse also brings to the T32 his long-standing interests in workforce development. He has been particularly effective in recruiting trainees through ASH Inclusion Pathway and a recently awarded Pfizer postdoctorate fellowship grant for sickle cell research.
Sullenger, Bruce PhD (Basic/Translational, Track II): Dr. Sullenger is the Joseph W. and Dorothy W. Beard Professor of Experimental Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology. Dr. Sullenger’s primary appointment is in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Sullenger has pioneered the development of RNA and DNA reversible aptamers as anticoagulant, thrombolytic and immunomodulatory therapies. Aptamers from his laboratory have been evaluated in over 2,000 cardiovascular disease and ischemic stroke patients in 8 clinical trials including a current phase II clinical study in stroke patients that recently started enrolling.
Taylor, Steve MD, MPH (Clinical Research, Track I): Dr. Taylor is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Duke Global Health Institute. Dr. Taylor’s lab does field and translational studies of malaria, including molecular epidemiologic and chemoprevention studies in Africa and laboratory investigations of the impact of red blood cell variants on parasite pathogenesis. Dr. Taylor’s NIH-funded research programs investigate malaria chemoprevention strategies in high-risk populations in sub-Saharan Africa and translational studies of parasite transmission, disease, and immune responses. See Steve Taylor lab website.
Telen, Marilyn MD (Basic and Clinical Research, Track I): As noted in the EC description, Dr. Telen’s research program is foundational to the Hematology T32 Training Program. She is a T32 alumna (1981-1983), former Program Director of the T32 grant (1996-2019) and since 2020 has been serving as APD of the T32. Dr. Telen’s research programs encompass basic, translational and clinical research, including studies of sickle red cell adhesion, structure/function analysis of blood group antigens, multi-omic analysis of factors contributing to the development of SCD organ damage, as well as clinical investigations for sickle cell therapies.
Truskey, George PhD (Basic/Translational, Track II): Dr. Truskey is the R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Senior Associate Dean in Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering. Dr. Truskey’s laboratory investigates the effects of endothelial cell senescence on permeability to macromolecules and the response to fluid shear stress, the development of human microphysiological vascular and muscle systems to model diseases and evaluate drug responses.
Welsby, Ian MD (Clinical Research, Track II): Dr. Welsby is Professor of Anesthesiology with a primary appointment in the Division of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and a secondary appointment in the Division of Hematology. Dr. Welsby’s research is focused on optimizing surgical hemostasis in cardiovascular surgery and perioperative management of HIT. In addition to participating on the Hematology Training Program, Dr. Welsby is also a faculty preceptor on the Integrated Training in Anesthesiology Training program.
White, James PhD (Basic, Track I and Track III): Dr. James White is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and joins as a new T32 faculty preceptor since the last renewal. Dr. White conducts basic research on the effects of heterochronic plasma transfusions (from young to old) on indices of health span. Dr. White is currently NIH funded to investigate effects of heterochronic hepatocyte transplantation on whole body metabolism and how glutamine-driven metabolism regulates aged muscle stem cell health.
Yang, Huanghe PhD (Basic Research, Tracks I & II): Dr. Yang is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology with a secondary appointment in the Division of Hematology. Dr. Yang was awarded the prestigious NIH Director’s New Innovator Award in 2017 for his innovative, high impact research for studies of lipid scramblases on transbilayer phospholipid transport. Dr. Yang’s work on red cell membrane ion channels and effects of membrane phospholipids on coagulation allow interdisciplinary collaborations across the training tracks.
Yao, Junjie PhD (Basic Research, Track II): Dr. Yao is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering in Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering. Dr.Yao is new to the training program and was asked to join based on his research interests in non-invasive technologies for visualizing blood flow and thrombosis using photoacoustic imaging. Dr. Yao has been actively collaborating with the Arepally Lab in developing clot signatures using photoacoustic imaging, with Dr. Arepally listed as a co-investigator on a pending NIH proposal. Dr. Yao’s laboratory has an ongoing collaboration with Drs. Arepally and Southerland in developing flow models using native vessels.
