Dr. Patrycja Dubielecka is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Director of Translational Hematology at Rhode Island Hospital. She co-leads the Cancer Biology Program at the Legorreta Cancer Center and serves as Co-Director of the Pathobiology Graduate Program.

Her research focuses on the biology of blood cancer–initiating stem cells and their roles in the development, progression, and relapse of myeloproliferative neoplasms. The translational goal of her work is to identify therapeutic strategies that specifically target these neoplasm-initiating stem cells.

Dr. John Reagan is a hematologist/oncologist specializing in leukemia, myelodysplasia, and myeloproliferative disorders. His research focuses on immune-based therapies for relapsed and refractory blood cancers.

He leads a clinical trial exploring non-engraftment donor leukocyte infusions to awaken patients’ immune systems to recognize and attack their cancers. In the clinic, Dr. Reagan cares for patients with both malignant and non-malignant blood disorders, bridging translational research with patient care.

Translational Research Disease Groups (TRDGs) provide a regular forum for advancing translational cancer research and fostering collaboration across disciplines. Eight TRDGs have been established at the Legorreta Cancer Center, each organized around a specific cancer type.

The Hematological Cancer TRDG brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians, including experts in:

• Hematology/oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology
• Pathology, cancer biology, genetics, population science, biostatistics, and bioinformatics
• Fellows, residents, and student trainees

Our meetings create opportunities to:

• Develop and prioritize new translational research directions
• Share resources and expertise across Brown and affiliated hospitals
• Launch collaborations that can lead to pilot funding, extramural grant applications, and publications in high-impact journals
• Advance investigator-initiated clinical trials and translational protocols

TRDGs meet every 2–3 months, typically at the Brown University Molecular Medicine Building (70 Ship Street) or at an affiliated hospital site. Meetings feature a mix of roundtable discussions and designated speakers, with ample time for feedback and collaborative planning. Minutes are shared internally with group members.

Membership is open and evolving. We welcome faculty, fellows, residents, and students with an interest in translational breast cancer research to join our efforts.

• Review ongoing translational research and investigator-initiated trials
• Identify collaboration opportunities based on current science and feasibility
• Discuss biomarkers, tumor signaling pathways, and drug development strategies
• Exchange information on funding opportunities (e.g., P01s, SPOREs, or other translational grants)
• Highlight progress through focused presentations by investigators or subgroups
• Leverage institutional resources (genomics, tissue banks, clinical trial infrastructure, tumor boards)
• Engage trainees and early-career researchers in translational projects
• Form working groups to advance projects toward new protocols, grant submissions, and publications

Contact

For more information or to join the Hematological Cancer TRDG, please contact Attila Seyhan, PhD.