NMDP Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program
A blood stem cell transplant or another emerging cell therapy offers the best hope for a cure for many patients. However, complications after treatment can happen—including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and infections—that seriously impact their quality of life. These complications can be painful, long-lasting and even fatal.
That’s why NMDP invests in talented researchers through the NMDPSM Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program.
Investing in physician-scientists
Each year, the Amy Research Program provides critical grants for early-career physician-scientists who are doing innovative work that can help patients thrive after cell therapy. Amy Scholars receive up to $400,000 over five years to support their research.
The Amy Research Program is 100% funded through philanthropy. The highly regarded award gives talented physician-scientists the opportunity to launch careers dedicated to finding treatment and prevention solutions for post-cell therapy complications.
Since 1998, NMDP has supported 53 early-career physician-scientists with financial investments of $13 million to develop research portfolios and establish their labs.
Amy Scholars have gone on to win more than $250 million in subsequent government grants and discovered novel ways to help more patients live longer, healthier lives.
Amy Research Program since 1998
53
$13 million
$250 million+
You have the power to help our patients heal. Support research with a financial gift today.
This grant was critical in kickstarting my independent lab. Without the support of the Amy award, we wouldn’t have been able to ask important and bold questions when I left Carl June’s lab at Penn. We are now following many threads that resulted from the Amy award that are leading us down exciting roads to improve cell therapy activity against blood cancers."
NATHAN SINGH, MD, MS
2019 Amy Scholar
Honoring a young, vibrant mother of two
Amy Strelzer Manasevit’s family established the Amy Research Program in honor of the young, vibrant mother of two. Amy received a successful blood stem cell transplant after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1993.
However, with her immune system severely depleted, she succumbed to pneumonia and passed away six weeks after returning home. Amy’s husband and her father turned their heartbreak into a mission to help others like Amy. They partnered with us to establish the Amy Program.
Your gift supports this critical effort to advance research that helps all patients live longer, healthier lives.
Along with supporting early-career physician scientists, NMDP invests in pediatric blood stem cell transplant nurse researchers through the NMDP Barbara Buchbinder Nurse Research Program.
Current and past Amy Scholars
Institution: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Project: Development of a machine learning approach to characterize and address racial and socioeconomic disparities in outcomes following transplantation and cellular therapies
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Flowers
Mark Leick, MD, 2025
Institution: Massachusetts General Hospital
Project: CAR-T cells as micro-pharmacies to favorably modulate the tumor microenvironment, minimize toxicity, and augment responses in acute myeloid leukemia
Mentor: Dr. Marcela Maus
Nicoletta Cieri, MD, PhD, 2024
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Project: Systematic identification of minor histocompatibility antigens to inform GVHD outcomes
Faruk Sacirbegovic, PhD, 2024
University of Pittsburgh
Project: Understanding the maintenance of alloresponses in GVHD tissues
Eiko Hayase, MD, PhD, 2023
Indiana University Health
Project: Evaluating Bacteroides ovatus as a treatment for dysbiotic microbiota-induced intestinal graft-versus-host disease
Melody Smith, MD, MS, 2023
Stanford University School of Medicine
Project: Donor CD19/CD22 CAR T cells as prevention of relapse following graft engineered allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Daniel C. Peltier, MD, PhD, 2022
Riley Children’s Health (Indiana University Health)
Project: Regulation of allogeneic T cell function by a lncRNA-encoded micro-peptide
Melinda Biernacki, MD, 2021
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: A “T cell-first” approach to dissecting antigen-specific T cell responses mediating graft-versus-leukemia effects
Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, MD, PhD, 2021
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: Humoral immune protection against respiratory viral infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Ya-Yuan Fu, PhD, 2020
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project: Immune-mediated epithelial regeneration in gastrointestinal tract after hematopoietic cell transplantation
Johnnie J. Orozco, MD, PhD, 2020
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: Synergizing humanized anti-CD33 antibody for radioimmunotherapy to eradicate AML
Victor Tkachev, PhD, 2020
Harvard Medical School
Project: Discovering novel molecular targets for prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease
Tessa M. Andermann, MD, MPH, 2019
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Project: Modulation of CAR-T cell therapy efficacy by the intestinal microbiome in patients with leukemia and lymphoma
Pavan Bachireddy, MD, 2019
Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center
Project: Coevolution of leukemia and immune cells during GvL response and resistance
Noha Sharafeldin, MBBCh, MSc, PhD, 2019
University of Alabama
Project: Impact of cognitive training on cognition after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation—a randomized wait-listed clinical trial
Nathan Singh, MD, 2019
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Molecular interactions between T cells and tumor cells that limit CAR T cell cytotoxicity and persistence
Craig Byersdorfer, MD, PhD, 2018
University of Pittsburgh
Project: Manipulation of T cell metabolism to treat and prevent acute graft-versus-host disease
Joshua Hill, MD, 2018
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: Genome-wide host expression to diagnose infectious and non-infectious cause of lower respiratory tract disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation
Rayne Rouce, MD, 2018
Baylor School of Medicine
Project: CD19 multivirus-specific T cells as treatment and prevention of relapse and viral infections post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Enrico Velardi, PhD, 2018
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Strategies to enhance post-transplant immune reconstitution
Patrick J. Hanley, PhD, 2017
Children’s National Medical Center
Project: Cord blood T cells as a therapy for viral infections
Jaebok Choi, PhD, 2017
Washington University in St. Louis
Project: IFNyR and IL6R Signaling as key therapeutic targets to control GvHDL
Scott James, MD, PhD, 2017
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project: Chimeric antigen receptors to inhibit graft-versus-host disease
Matt S. Zinter, MD, 2017
University of California, San Francisco
Project: Transcriptional and molecular signatures of lung injury in pediatric hematopoietic cellular transplantation
Jin S. Im, MD, PhD, 2016
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Project: Developing novel cellular therapy using iNK T cells to prevent graft-versus-host disease
Brian C. Betts, MD, 2016
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific STAT3-inhibited iTreg to prevent GVHD and preserve GVL
Frank M. Cichocki, PhD, 2015
University of Minnesota
Project: NK cells: Adapting to control viral infections and prevent relapse after HCT
Joseph A. Pidala, MD, PhD, 2015 (American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Scholar)
H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute
Project: Defining the transplantation tolerance transcriptome: A path towards individualized management of immune suppression after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Ami S. Bhatt, MD, PhD, 2014
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Sequence-based Pathogen Discovery in Idiopathic Complications of Stem Cell Transplantation
Alan M. Hanash, MD, PhD, 2014 (American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Scholar)
Institution: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Project: Intestinal stem cell targets of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
Ran Reshef, MD, 2013
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Control of human graft-versus-host disease by modulation of lymphocyte trafficking
Everett H. Meyer, MD, PhD, MS, 2013 (American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Scholar)
Institution: Stanford University
Project: Immune monitoring of regulatory T cell therapy to treat steroid refractory acute graft-versus-host disease
Xiao Chen, MD, PhD, 2012
Institution: Medical College of Wisconsin
Project: A critical role of retinoic acid in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal GVHD
Sophie Paczesny, MD, PhD, 2011
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Proteome of chronic graft-versus-host disease
Vu Nguyen, MD, 2010
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Defining the role of gut microflora in graft-versus-host disease
Stefanie Sarantopoulos, MD, PhD, 2009
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: The BCR-activated B cell: a novel therapeutic target in chronic GVHD
Ann M. Leen, BSc, PhD, 2008
Institution: Baylor College of Medicine
Project: Multipathogen-specific CTL for the immunocompromised
Mari Hashitate Dallas, MD, 2007 (Alaina J. Enlow Scholar)
Washington University School of Medicine
Project: Enhanced T cell reconstitution by umbilical cord blood progenitors expanded ex-vivo using the notch ligand delta 1
Onder S. Alpdogan, MD, 2005 (2006-2007 Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Scholar)
Washington University School of Medicine
Mentor: Marcel van den Brink, MD, PhD
Project: Immunostimulatory cytokine/growth factor and T cell precursor administration to enhance immune reconstitution after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in experimental murine models
Pavan R. Reddy, MD, 2005 (Alaina J. Enlow Scholar)
Institution: University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
Mentor: James Ferrara, MD
Project: Regulation of acute graft-versus-host disease and graft-versus-leukemia effect by histone deacetylase inhibitors
Anthony G. Brickner, PhD, 2004 (Dr. Robert A. Good Scholar)
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Mentor: Albert D. Donnenberg, PhD
Project: Identifying graft-versus-leukemia-associated human minor histocompatibility antigens restricted by HLA-AZ
Jason W. Chien, MD, MS, 2004 (Dr. George Santos Scholar)
Washington University School of Medicine
Mentor: Joan G. Clark, MD
Project: Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome, chronic GVHD and the innate immune response
Catherine M. Bollard, MD, 2003
Institution: Children's National Medical Center
Mentor: Helen Heslop, MD
Project: Adoptive immunotherapy with tri-virus specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes post allogeneic stem cell transplant
Katharine C. Hsu, MD, PhD, 2003
Institution: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Mentor: Bo DuPont, MD
Project: NK killer Ig-like receptors and hematopoietic stem cell transplant outcome
Anna-Mari (Mari) Malkki, PhD, 2002 (Alaina Enlow Scholars)
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Mentor: Claudio Anasetti, MD
Project: Identification of functional human SNPs in unrelated hematopoietic stem cells
Leo Luznik, MD, 2001
Institution: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mentors: Ephraim Fuchs, MD, Drew Pardoll, MD
Project: Prevention of relapse with tumor vaccines after allogeneic bone marrow transplant
Judith A. Shizuru, MD, PhD, 2001
Institution: Stanford University Medical Center
Mentors: Karl Blume, MD, Irving Weissman, MD
Project: Designing hematopoietic grafts to optimize post-transplantation immune reconstitution
Kenneth R. Cooke, MD, 2000
Institution: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center's Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Program
Mentor: James L.M. Ferrara, MD
Project: Cellular and inflammatory effectors of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome after allogeneic bone marrow transplants
Thea Friedman, PhD, 2000* (Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Scholar)
Institution: Thomas Jefferson University
Mentor: Neal Flomenberg, MD
Project: The use of t-cell receptor V-ß spectratype analysis in allogeneic bone marrow transplants
(*Deceased)
Kenneth G. Lucas, MD, 1999
Institution: UHS Pediatrics
Mentor: William P. Vaughn, MD
Project: Adoptive immunotherapy with CMV and EBV specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes using B lymphoblastoid cell lines
Marcel R.M. Van den Brink, MD, PhD, 1999
Institution: City of Hope Los Angeles and National Medical Center
Mentor: Richard J. O’Reilly, MD
Project: The role of FAS ligand and perforin in graft-versus-host disease and graft-vs-leukemia after bone marrow transplantation with or without donor leukocyte infusion
Stephanie J. Lee, MD, MPH, 1998
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Mentor: Joseph H. Antin, MD
Project: The morbidity and mortality of chronic graft-versus-host disease
Paul J. Orchard, MD, 1998
Institution: University of Minnesota
Mentor: Philip McGlave, MD
Project: Genetic engineering of T cells for unrelated bone marrow transplantation
Additional awards granted through the Amy Research Program
Milena Bogunovic, MD, 2007
Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Project: The role of recipient dendritic cells in post-transplant complications
William W. Hope, MBBS, FRACP, 2005
Institution: National Institutes of Health – National Cancer Institute
Mentor: Thomas Walsh, MD
Project: The application of antifungal pharmodynamics to optimize the therapeutic outcome of invasive aspergillosis post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Christian Jacobsen post-doctoral fellows
Hong Zheng, MD, PhD, 2006
Institution: Yale University School of Medicine
Mentor: Warren D. Shlomchik, MD
Project: Spontaneous memory T cells in graft-versus-leukemia effect
Hong Zheng, MD, PhD, 2005
Institution: Yale University School of Medicine
Mentor: Warren D. Shlomchik, MD
Project: Spontaneous memory T cells in graft-versus-leukemia effect
Baxter Oncology post-doctoral fellows
Cynthia Giver, PhD, 2005
Institution: Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University
Mentor: Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD
Project: Fludarabine-treated donor T-Cells in allogeneic BMT-reduced graft-versus-host disease activity with retained graft-versus-leukemia effects
Lei Bao, MD, PhD, 2004
Institution: University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Mentor: Dr. Sue Marshall
Project: Identification of MHC Class II restricted male-specific human minor histocompatibility antigens for immunotherapy or immunoprevention
Kathleen A. Houtchens, PhD, 2003
Institution: Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute
Mentor: Elizabeth A. Trachtenberg, PhD
Project: High resolution KIR genotyping system development and validation for use in post stem cell transplant outcome analyses
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BIPI) post-doctoral fellows
Jakub Tolar, MD, 2002
Institution: University of Minnesota
Mentor: Bruce Blazer, MD
Project: Effect of multipotent adult progenitor cells on immune response after bone marrow transplantation
Daniel A. Nikcevich, MD, PhD, 2001
Institution: Duke University
Mentor: Nelson J.A. Chao, MD
Project: A pilot study of unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation in children and adults with hematologic malignancies
Chang-Qing (Mickey) Xun, MD, 2000
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Mentor: Rainer Storb, MD
Project: Non-cytotoxic conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplants
SuperGen post-doctoral fellows
Marie Bleakley, MD, 2006
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Mentor: Stanley Riddell, MD
Project: Targeting the leukemic stem cell: development of a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat leukemic relapse following allogeneic stem cell transplant
Marie Bleakley, MD, 2005
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Mentor: Stanley Riddell, MD
Project: Targeting the leukemic stem cell: development of a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat leukemic relapse following allogeneic stem cell transplant
Andreas Beilhack, MD, 2004
Institution: Stanford University
Mentor: Kathleen Thompson
Project: The role of T cell trafficking in graft-versus-host disease
Jian-Ming Li, PhD, 2003
Institution: Emory University
Mentor: Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD
Project: Immunosuppressive role of donor dendritic cells in allogeneic transplantation