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John Cunningham |
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Understanding the critical questions in blood cell development that may impact a broad series of diseases is a priority for John Cunningham, MD, Professor and Section Chief of Hematology/Oncology in Pediatrics. A leader in treating hemoglobinopathies and genetic blood disorders, Cunningham says the answers to those questions could result in breakthroughs in blood cancers that affect children and adults as well as genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia.
"We're beginning to develop some very interesting and exciting research directions through extensive interactions with faculty and we're leveraging the intellectual resources of the Division of Biological Sciences to find cures for pediatric cancers," says Cunningham.
Clinical program now doubled in size
Since joining the faculty in December 2006, Cunningham has helped to recruit five new faculty members from major medical centers around the country focused on everything from neuroblastoma to the economic impact of oncology care. "More specifically, we have doubled the size of our clinical program and increased by fourfold the number of stem cell transplants in the last year alone," he says. "Without philanthropic support, we would not be able to care for the number of children we're caring for."
Cunningham came to the University of Chicago from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was a leader in the Division of Experimental Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation.
As he reflects on how much he's accomplished in such a short time, Cunningham quickly acknowledges with a smile that it's been phenomenally exciting. "I chose to come to Chicago because of its international leadership in utilizing the investigation of fundamental biological questions to affect clinical outcomes," says Cunningham. "And it has been everything I expected it to be."
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