The Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research maintains a distinguished Scientific Advisory Board comprised of world-renowned authorities from both within City of Hope and beyond our borders.

The board meets regularly to review our progress and examine significant advances in the larger multiple myeloma community, and makes recommendations to move our work forward.

 

Amrita Krishnan, M.D. — City of Hope
Director of the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research

Amrita Krishnan, M.D., is a nationally recognized authority in the rapidly evolving field of multiple myeloma. She has been instrumental in bringing City of Hope to a leadership role in treating this disease.

Dr. Krishnan heads our effort, in partnership with the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium, to seek out and perfect novel new drug combinations. She also chairs the myeloma committee of the national Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network, where she led two of the largest myeloma transplant trials.

A much sought after voice with unique expertise, Dr. Krishnan also co-chairs the plasma cell committee of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and is past chair of the plasma cell lymphoma committee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

A key member of the City of Hope team since 1996, Dr. Krishnan trained at Albany Medical College and served as a clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School.

 

Stephen J. Forman, M.D.  — City of Hope
“It remains a privilege, after nearly 40 years of doing this, to be allowed to take care of somebody who has these diseases.”

Steven T. Rosen, M.D. — City of Hope
Provost and Chief Scientific Officer

Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director's Distinguished Chair

“With modern approaches in genetics and cancer biology, the opportunities to make important discoveries that'll have significant impact on human suffering and terrible diseases is, I think, going to happen at a very rapid pace. City of Hope will be at the forefront.”

A world-renowned leader in cancer research, known equally for his expertise and his humanity, Steven T. Rosen M.D., sets the scientific direction of City of Hope, shaping its research and educational vision. He is passionate about rapidly turning breakthrough discoveries into practical benefit for cancer patients around the world. 

Dr. Rosen directs Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, where he leads our vital basic and translational research efforts, as well as our National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, which stands at the intersection between leading-edge science and outstanding clinical care. He reaches out to recruit the finest scientists and clinicians and helps them achieve national and international recognition. He is also the public face of City of Hope’s research enterprise, promoting our national standing as a premier scientific organization.

Dr. Rosen joined City of Hope after nearly three decades of leadership at Northwestern University.

Recognized as one of the "Best Doctors in America," Dr. Rosen received the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Israel Cancer Research Fund.

 

Rafael Fonseca, M.D. — Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
Getz Family Professor of Cancer
Chair, Department of Medicine
Distinguished Mayo Investigator

Rafael Fonseca, M.D., is one of the nation's foremost multiple myeloma researchers and a world authority on the genomics of myeloma. A board-certified hematologist and oncologist, in 2004, he founded the multiple myeloma research facility at the Mayo Clinic's Arizona facility, after five years of similar research at the Mayo campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dr. Fonseca's lab focuses on the genetics of myeloma, especially identifying specific abnormalities which translate into a high risk form of the disease.

 

Irene Ghobrial, M.D. — Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Director, Michele & Steven Kirsch Laboratory
Senior Physician
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Irene Ghobrial, M.D., specializes in the architecture of early precursor conditions which can turn into multiple myeloma, and in developing drugs and treatments to stop that progression.

Educated in Cairo, Dr. Ghobrial continued her training at Wayne State University and the Mayo Clinic, joining Dana-Farber in 2005. She is also associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Ghobrial also directs the Michele & Steven Kirsch Laboratory which is focused on Waldenström’s  macroglobulinemia, a rare blood cancer.

 

Sagar Lonial, M.D. — Emory University
Professor and Chair, Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer, Emory's Winship Cancer Institute

Sagar Lonial, M.D., is a leading international researcher an internationally recognized authority in multiple myeloma treatment and research. He serves as vice chair of the Myeloma Committee in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and as chair of the Steering Committee for the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium.

Dr. Lonial is currently exploring combinations of novel agents for myeloma and lymphoma, particularly those that may inhibit the PI3-K/Akt pathway, which is believed to regulate cell proliferation and may contribute to the development of resistance to therapy.

 

Robert A. Vescio, M.D. — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Medical Director, Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute

Robert Vescio, M.D., directs the Cedars-Sinai Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Program.

His research interests include monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, a related condition which in some cases develops into multiple myeloma. His laboratory work has led to an improved understanding of multiple myeloma pathogenesis, including a potential link with human herpes virus-8 infection.

Dr. Vescio has been cited as one of the top specialists in multiple myeloma and amyloidosis in "America's Top Doctors for Cancer."