research opportunities for residents - Weill Cornell Department of ...

agents are available which target specific genes or antigens on specific leukemia cells, several of which
have changed the natural history of certain diseases. Others are in development. For example, in the
Leukemia Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, we are conducting clinical trials with
AC220 (novel FLT3 inhibitor) in acute myeloid leukemia, AT-406 (orally bioavailable XIAP inhibitor) in
acute myeloid leukemia, arsenic trioxide in acute promyelocytic leukemia, DOT1L inhibitor (methyl
transferase inhibitor) for patients with hematologic malignancies with the 11q23 or MLL gene
rearrangements and blinatumomab (anti-CD19 bispecific T-cell engaging antibody) in acute
lymphoblastic leukemia, to name only a few. We collaborate extensively with colleagues conducting
laboratory research in the molecular genetics of meyloid and lymphoid malignancies. I also serve as the
Chair of the Leukemia Committee of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and am involved
in many ECOG and intergroup clinical trials.
Kenneth K. Teng, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine in Neuroscience
Email: kkteng@med.cornell.edu
Tel: (212) 746-9931
The roles of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in development as well as in disease paradigms. More specifically, we
are interested in understanding how this growth factor promotes diametrically opposite biological
responses, such as cell survival during embryonic development versus cell death upon spinal cord injury.
Tiffany A. Traina, MD
MSKCC, Breast Cancer Medicine Service
Email: trainat@mskcc.org
Tel: (646) 888-4558
I would be thrilled to mentor a resident interested in breast cancer-related projects. I have a particular
interest in the design and conduct of clinical trials applying mathematical models to chemotherapy dosing
schedules in the hopes of optimizing benefit and minimizing risks of therapy. I have a special research
focus in the development of novel therapies for patients with hormone refractory and HER2‐negative
breast cancers (“triple‐negative breast cancers”).
Linda T. Vahdat, MD
Professor of Medicine
Director, Breast Cancer Research Program
Head, Solid Tumor Service
Email: ltv2001@med.cornell.edu
My research is focused on clinical and translational development of novel therapeutics in breast cancer. A
major research thrust is to understand the mechanisms that maintain tumor dormancy. We have a large
program trying to understand this process, which includes partnerships with laboratory scientists and a
clinical trial. There is ample opportunity for residents to be involved in research within our group.
Recent residents mentored: Rachel Sanford, Maryam Nemati Shafaee
James W. Young, MD
MSKCC, Adult BMT Service
Immunology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
Associate Chair, Department of Medicine, MSKCC
Professor of Medicine, WCMC
Email: youngjw@mskcc.org
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