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Recipient: Julie Boiko, MD, PhD, associate, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Project title of research award: Interrogating Macrophage Heterogeneity in Bronchiolitis Obliterans Pathogenesis
What does this recognition mean to you?
“I am delighted to continue building my hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) research program as an early-career physician-scientist. This is a great opportunity to maintain momentum in establishing my independent research program.”
How will this award facilitate your ongoing work?
“This award will expand our existing work in tissue macrophage and blood monocyte dynamics of cGVHD to better understand how cGVHD-causing macrophages mediate organ-specific disease in the lung and the nuances around the roles of cytokines, which are now the targets of FDA-approved cGVHD therapeutics. The lung has historically been a difficult organ in which to study cGVHD, and we are excited by the opportunity to employ contemporary genomic tools to address this deadliest form of cGVHD.”
How did you first become interested in transplantation and cellular and gene therapy?
“My first research experience 20 years ago was serendipitously in an HCT lab where I was exposed to the concept of a physician-scientist career. Throughout training, I explored various clinical specialty directions but kept coming back to transplantation as the field whose questions and conundrums energized me the most.”
How do you hope your work influences the field?
“HCT has made many devastating diseases survivable, but cGVHD diminishes the quality of life of many survivors who are otherwise cured of their original diseases. I hope this work improves our ability to respond to morbid and potentially irreversible cGVHD forms before patients suffer great harm.”
What excites you most about the future developments in the field of transplantation and cellular and gene therapy?
“I am fascinated by our increasing understanding of cellular and molecular pathways to more precisely leverage HCT-related complications with less morbidity.”
The ASTCT New Investigator Awards (NIAs) are designed to encourage clinical and/or laboratory research by young investigators in the field of hematopoietic cell transplantation, cellular therapy and/or gene therapy. This includes application of these therapies to malignant diseases, both hematologic and solid tumors, non-malignant diseases, including hemoglobinopathies, immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases. The award provides $50,000 per year for two years in support of research costs and/or salary. Visit the ASTCT website to learn more about the award.
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