Urvashi Mitbander Joshi, MD
Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2019 | Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US, Medical Ethics Pathway, Doctor of Medicine |
| 2015 | University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, US, Human Biology, Bachelor of Science |
Postgraduate Training
| 2022-2025 | Hematology and Oncology Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA |
| 2019-2022 | Internal Medicine Residency, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2025 | Board Eligible in Medical Oncology |
| 2025 | Basic Life Support |
| 2025 | Texas Medical Board Physician License |
| 2022 | Board Certified in Internal Medicine |
| 2022 | State of Pennsylvania |
| 2021 | Advanced Cardiac Life Support |
| 2019 | State of Michigan Medical Doctor |
| 2016 | Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety |
Experience & Service
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Reviewer, Protocol Review Committee, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2024 - Present
Member, ECOG-ACRIN Melanoma Committee, University Pennsylvania Medical Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Prevention and Early Detection Committee, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Prevention Sub-Committee, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 2023 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2024 - Present | Excellence in Clinical Scholarship Award, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hematology/Oncology |
| 2024 - Present | Fellow Research Grant, Melanoma Research Foundation |
| 2021 - Present | Internal Medicine Award for the Most Outstanding House Officer, University of Michigan |
| 2021 - Present | Chair’s Special Award for Impact, University of Michigan, Dept. of Internal Medicine |
| 2020 - Present | Recognition for Exemplary Learning Environment, University of Michigan |
| 2017 - Present | Houston Infectious Diseases Society Research Award |
| 2017 - Present | Clinical Honors [Internal Medicine; Psychiatry], Baylor College of Medicine |
| 2014 - Present | Unrestricted Endowed Presidential Scholarship, University of Texas |
| 2014 - Present | Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society |
| 2013 - 2015 | College of Natural Sciences College Scholar |
| 2012 - Present | Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship |
| 2012 - Present | Alpha Lamda Delta Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society |
| 2011 - 2015 | Pre-Med Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma |
| 2011 - 2015 | Scholars Honors Programs, University of Texas Health Science |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2018. Does Construction of Illness Scripts Improve Performance on Vignette Style Multiple Chois Exams?. The Generalists in Medical Education Annual Conference. Austin, Texas, US.
- 2017. Characterization and Comparison of Foot Osteomyelitis in Diabetic vs Non-Diabetic Patients. Houston Infectious Disease Society Trainee Scientific Research Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Deterioration of the Hispanic Paradox: Health Disparities in Diabetes and Stroke between U.S. Born and Foreign Born Hispanics. Honors Thesis Symposium. Austin, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2024. A Phase II Trial of Nivolumab Plus Axitinib in Patients with anti-PD1 Refractory Advanced Melanoma. Invited. Society for Melanoma Research. New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2024. A Phase II Double-Blind Trial of Sulforaphane for Therapeutic Prevention of Melanoma in Patients with Multiple Atypical Nevi and a Prior History of Melanoma. Invited. ECOG-ACRIN Fall Meeting. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Translational Research in Melanoma: Therapeutic Prevention and Overcoming Immunotherapy Resistance. Invited. Clinical Oncology and Hematology Grand Rounds. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2025. Exploring Atypical and Dysplastic Nevi Clinical Trials. Invited. AIM at Melanoma Foundation ‘Living with Melanoma’, Patient Symposium. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2024. Two New Translational Research Initiatives to Evaluate Therapeutic Prevention in Melanoma. Invited. Regional Melanoma Translational Research Consortium. Hershey, Pennsylvania, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - 2026 |
| Title: | A Study of the Effects of Anti-PD1 Adjuvant Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy on Features of Atypical/Dysplastic Nevi in Patients with Stage IIB-IIIC Melanoma |
| Funding Source: | 2025 ASCO Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | A Study of the Effects of Anti-PD1 Adjuvant Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy on Features of Atypical/Dysplastic Nevi in Patients with Stage IIB-IIIC Melanoma |
| Funding Source: | Melanoma Research Alliance , Dermatology Career |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Effects of Adjuvant Anti-PD1 on Atypical/Dysplastic Nevi |
| Funding Source: | Melanoma Research Foundation, Fellow Research |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | A Study of the Effects of Anti-PD1 Adjuvant Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy on Features of Atypical/Dysplastic Nevi in Patients with Stage IIB-IIIC Melanoma |
| Funding Source: | ECOG ACRIN |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Joshi UM, Amaria RN. Erythrocyte-antibody conjugates to overcome immunotherapy resistance. Nat Cancer 7(4):562-564, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41721137.
- Joshi UM, Kashani-Sabet M, Kirkwood JM. A Review of Melanoma-Reply. JAMA 335(3):281-282, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41379471.
- Naiditch, H, Strollo, H, Gipson, V, Sica, G, Joshi, UM, Ito, S, Rossetti, J, Hensley, MK. A 40-Year-Old With Prior Stem Cell Transplant for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Presents With Dyspnea and Respiratory Failure. Chest 167(2):e47-e51, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39939062.
- Joshi UM, Ratz D, Frankel TL, Dobrosotskaya I. Longitudinal Dynamic in Weight Loss Impacts Clinical Outcomes for Veterans Undergoing Curative Surgery for Colorectal Cancer. Fed Pract 40(Suppl 1):S24-S33, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37727831.
- Joshi, UM, Geer, MJ, Taxbro, K, Horowitz, JK, Zhang, Q, O'Malley, ME, Ramnath, N, Chopra, V. Patterns of use and outcomes of peripherally inserted central catheters in hospitalized patients with solid tumors. Cancer 128(20):3681-3690, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35943390.
Review Articles
- Joshi UM, Kashani-Sabet M, Kirkwood JM. Cutaneous Melanoma: A Review. JAMA 334(23):2113-2125, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40853557.
- Joshi UM, Hundal J, Mata JR, Schollenberger MD, Warrier G, Luke JJ, Lipson EJ, Funchain P. Beyond Checkpoint Inhibition: Keeping Therapeutic Options Open. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 45(3):e473856, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40233298.
Other Articles
- Joshi UM, Hundal J, Mata JR, Schollenberger MD, Warrier G, Luke J, Lipson EJ, Funchain P Erratum: Beyond Checkpoint Inhibition: Keeping Therapeutic Options Open. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 45(3):e473856CX1, 2025. PMID: 40779731.
- Mitbander Urvashi, Musher Daniel, Mindru Cezarina, Barshes Neal R Foot Osteomyelitis in Patients Without Diabetes. Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice 26(4):204-207, 2018.
- Ali S, McGillivray E, Joshi UM, Najjar YG In G. PD-1/PDL-1 blockage in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A retrospective analysis.
- Joshi U, Shaikh S, Zang Y, Wang H, Sander C, Rose A, Davar D, Luke J, Zarour H, Kirkwood JM, Delgoffe G, Najjar YG A Phase II Trial of Nivolumab plus Axitinib in Patients with Anti-PD1 Refractory Advanced Melanoma.
Abstracts
- Zarka J, Joshi UM, Rose A, Zang Y, Kirkwood JM, Luke JJ, Zarour HM, Davar D, Najjar YG. A Phase 1/2 Study of Vusolimogene Oderparepvec Oderparepvec (RPI) in Primary Melanoma (mel) to reduce the risk of sentinel lymph node (SLN) Metastasis. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
- Joshi UM, Shaikh S, Zang Y, Wang H, Sander C, Rose A, Davar D, Luke J, Zarour H, Kirkwood JM, Delgoffe G, Najjar YG. A Phase II Trial of Nivolumab Plus Axtinib in Patients with anti-PD1 Refractory Advanced Melanoma. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
- Joshi U, Wang H, Karunamurthy A, Cillo A, Ferris L, Sander C, Rose A, Kirkwood J. Two New Translational Research Initiatives to Evaluate Therapeutic Prevention in Melanoma. Department of Medicine Annual Research Day. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
- Joshi U, Wang H, Karunamurthy A, Cillo A, Ferris L, Hughes E, Sander C, Rose A. Two New Translational Research Initiatives to Evaluate Therapeutic Prevention in Melanoma. Women’s Initiatives Taskforce Symposium, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
- Joshi UM, Zarka J, Wang H, Rose A, Zang Y, Kirkwood JM, Luke JJ, Zarour HM, Davar D, Najjar YG. A Phase 1/2 Study of Vusolimogene Oderparepvec (RPI) in Primary Melanoma (mel) to Reduce the Risk of Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) Metastasis. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
- Mitbander U, Kim J, Augsteen S, Balasubramanyam S, Olmos J, Robertus J. I-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in Wolbachia endosymbiont Brugia malayi Researched as Novel Drug Target for Lymphatic Filariasis. University of Texas Undergraduate Research Forum.
- Joshi U, Balasubramanyam S, Olmos J, Robertus J, Beckham J. I-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in Wolbachia endosymbiont Brugia malayi Researched as Novel Drug Target for Lymphatic Filariasis. American Chemical Society National Meeting.
- Mitbander U, Wang YT, Hummer R. Deterioration of the Hispanic Paradox: Health Disparities in Diabetes and Stroke between U.S. Born and Foreign Born Hispanics. University of Texas Undergraduate Research Forum.
- Mitbander U, Barshes NR. Characterization and Comparison of Foot Osteomyelitis in Diabetic vs Non-diabetic Patients. Alumni Reunion Research Poster Showcase, Baylor College of Medicine.
- Mitbander U, Balasubramanian B, Tomson T, Drabek J, Goldman AM. Copy Number Variant Profiling in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP): Nationwide Screen of a Swedish SUDEP Cohort. Henry J.N. Taub & James K. Alexander Medical Student Research Symposium. Baylor College of Medicine.
- Mitbander U, Chen E, Sargsyan Z. Murine Typhus and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: An Uncommon Presentation. Texas Chapter ACP Annual Scientific Meeting.
- Varghese B*, Chew E*, Mitbander U, Sherman S, Purkiss J, Caruso A, Sargsyan Z. Does Construction of Illness Scripts Improve Performance on Vignette Style Multiple Choice Exams?. Henry J.N. Taub & James K. Alexander Medical Student Research Symposium, Baylor College of Medicine.
- Fields-Gilmore JR, Mahadasyam S, Varadajaran S, Danek, Warwick E, Galvan E, Patterson A, Herrera A, Salemi J, Mitbander U. “I’m Listening”: A Quality Improvement Project Focused on Patient-Centered Communication Enhancement at Northwest Clinic. Conference on Practice Improvement, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.
- Mibander U, Russell H, Scott C. The Problem of Cost: An Analysis of Established Clinical Guidelines for Oncologists Treating Colon Cancer in Uninsured Patients. Health and Science Policy Research Day. Baylor College of Medicine.
- Mitbander U, Russell H, Scott C. The Problem of Cost: An Analysis of Established Clinical Guidelines for Oncologists Treating Colon Cancer in Uninsured Patients. Baylor Medical Ethics Pathway Showcase, Baylor College of Medicine.
- Edwards C, Mills J, Mitbander U, Padalia K, Zou W, Grzyb K, Grondin C. Endless Fluids! Unintentional Continuous Fluids Causing Harm. Internal Medicine Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Conference, University of Michigan.
- Geer M, Joshi U, Taxbro K, Zhang Q, O'Malley M, Horowitz J, Ramnath N, Sood S, Chopra V. Substantial Variation in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Use and Outcomes in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Multi-Center Study. American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting.
- Joshi U, Geer M, Taxbro K, Zhang Q, O'Malley M, Chopra V, Ramnath N. Should PICCs be avoided in certain solid organ cancers?. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
- Mitbander U, Poole J, Piert M, Reichert Z. Clinical Outcomes After Utilization of Novel Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Targeted PET in Patients with Biochemical Recurrent Prostate Cancer. Department of Internal Medicine Annual Research Symposium, University of Michigan.
- Joshi U, Frankel T, Dobrosotskaya I. Nutritional Status and Outcomes of Veterans Undergoing Curative Surgery for Colorectal Cancer. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
- Tsung I, Hynes S, Joshi UM, Morales K, Dess RT, Jackson WC, Taylor J, Reichert Z. Clinical Outcomes after Utilization of PSMA PET Scans in Patients with Biochemical Recurrent Prostate Cancer. American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 04, 2026