Yosra M. Aljawai, MD, MS
Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2018 | St. George University School of Medicine, St. George, West Indies, GD, Medical Degree |
| 2009 | Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, US, M.S. in Immunology and Microbiology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2021-2023 | Science of Clinical Investigation Award Program, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland |
| 2020-2023 | Clinical Fellowship, Hematology, Johns Hopkins University SOM, Baltimore, Maryland |
| 2018-2020 | Physician Scientist Residency, Internal Medicine, Icahn SOM at The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York |
Board Certifications
| 2022 | The American Board of Internal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
SCT&CT Representative, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2025 - 2027
Interviewer for Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 2021 - 2023
Social Chair, Class of 2023, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 2020 - 2023
House Staff Representative, Class of 2020, Department of Internal Medicine Residency, Icahn SOM at The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 2018 - 2020
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Nocturnist Admitting Physician, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, 2021 - 2023
COVID19 Call Center Support-Triage Physician, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, 2020 - 2021
USMLE tutor, STEP 2 United States Medical Licensing Examination, TutorZ, LLC, Baltimore, MD, 2019 - 2020
Clinical Research Coordinator & Laboratory Researcher, Mentor: Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 2011 - 2014
Honors & Awards
| Full scholarship, The Ministry of Higher Education, English as a Second Language Certificate | |
| Full scholarship, The Ministry of Higher Education, Master's Degree | |
| Abstract Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology | |
| The Legacy of Excellence Scholarship, St. George University SOM | |
| Pathology Best Lab Group of 2016 Award, St. George University SOM | |
| Honor Member, Gold Humanism Honor Society | |
| Research Designation Award, St. George University SOM | |
| Cum Laude, St. George University SOM |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Pasvolsky, O, Marcoux, C, Milton, D, Pal, B, Tanner, MR, Bashir, Q, Srour, S, Lee, J, Saini, N, Lin, P, Ramdial, JL, Nieto, Y, Tang, G, Aljawai, YM, Kebriaei, P, Becnel, M, Lee, HC, Patel, K, Thomas, SK, Orlowski, R, Shpall, EJ, Champlin, RE, Qazilbash, MH. Optimal infused CD34+ cell dose in multiple myeloma patients undergoing upfront autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Blood cancer journal 14(1), 2024. PMID: 39482325.
- Pasvolsky, O, Wang, Z, Milton, D, Tanner, MR, Bashir, Q, Srour, S, Saini, N, Lin, P, Ramdial, JL, Nieto, Y, Tang, G, Kebriaei, P, Aljawai, YM, Khan, HN, Lee, HC, Ye, JC, Patel, K, Thomas, SK, Orlowski, R, Shpall, E, Champlin, RE, Qazilbash, MH. Multiple myeloma patients with a long remission after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Blood cancer journal 14(1), 2024. PMID: 38760362.
- Pasvolsky, O, Ghanem, S, Milton, D, Rauf, M, Tanner, MR, Bashir, Q, Srour, S, Saini, N, Lin, P, Ramdial, JL, Nieto, Y, Tang, G, Aljawai, YM, Khan, HN, Kebriaei, P, Lee, HC, Patel, K, Thomas, SK, Weber, DM, Orlowski, R, Shpall, E, Champlin, RE, Qazilbash, MH. Outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma and 1q gain/amplification receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Blood cancer journal 14(1), 2024. PMID: 38199987.
- Aljawai YM, Tsai HL, Varadhan R, Jones RJ, Imus PH. Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation using haploidentical grandchildren donors and post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. Br J Haematol 205(4):1469-1476, 2024. PMID: 39099174.
- Pasvolsky O, Marcoux C, Dai J, Milton DR, Tanner MR, Syed N, Bashir Q, Srour S, Saini N, Lin P, Ramdial J, Nieto Y, Tang G, Aljawai Y, Lee HC, Gaballa MR, Patel KK, Kebriaei P, Thomas SK, Orlowski RZ, Shpall EJ, Champlin RE, Qazilbash MH. Trends in Outcomes After Upfront Autologous Transplant for Multiple Myeloma Over Three Decades. Transplant Cell Ther 30(8):772.e1-772.e11, 2024. PMID: 38852784.
- Imus PH, Pasca S, Tsai HL, Aljawai Y, Cooke KR, Walston JD, Gocke CD, Varadhan R, Jones RJ, Gondek LP. Recipient clonal hematopoiesis in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for lymphoid malignancies. Blood Advances 8(14):3849-3858, 2024. PMID: 38640196.
- Bouyssou JM, Liu CJ, Bustoros M, Sklavenitis-Pistofidis R, Aljawai Y, Manier S, Yosef A, Sacco A, Kokubun K, Tsukamoto S, Perilla Glen A, Huynh D, Castillo JJ, Treon SP, Leblond V, Hermine O, Roccaro AM, Ghobrial IM, Capelletti M. Profiling of circulating exosomal miRNAs in patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. PLoS One 13(10):e0204589, 2018. PMID: 30286096.
- Mishima Y, Paiva B, Shi J, Park J, Manier S, Takagi S, Massoud M, Perilla-Glen A, Aljawai Y, Huynh D, Roccaro AM, Sacco A, Capelletti M, Detappe A, Alignani D, Anderson KC, Munshi NC, Prosper F, Lohr JG, Ha G, Freeman SS, Van Allen EM, Adalsteinsson VA, Michor F, San Miguel JF, Ghobrial IM. The Mutational Landscape of Circulating Tumor Cells in Multiple Myeloma. Cell Rep 19(1):218-224, 2017. PMID: 28380360.
- Roccaro AM, Sacco A, Shi J, Chiarini M, Perilla-Glen A, Manier S, Glavey S, Aljawai Y, Mishima Y, Kawano Y, Moschetta M, Correll M, Improgo MR, Brown JR, Imberti L, Rossi G, Castillo JJ, Treon SP, Freedman ML, Van Allen EM, Hide W, Hiller E, Rainville I, Ghobrial IM. Exome sequencing reveals recurrent germ line variants in patients with familial Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Blood 127(21):2598-606, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26903547.
- Moschetta M, Mishima Y, Kawano Y, Manier S, Paiva B, Palomera L, Aljawai Y, Calcinotto A, Unitt C, Sahin I, Sacco A, Glavey S, Shi J, Reagan MR, Prosper F, Bellone M, Chesi M, Bergsagel LP, Vacca A, Roccaro AM, Ghobrial IM. Targeting vasculogenesis to prevent progression in multiple myeloma. Leukemia 30(5):1103-1115, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26859080.
- Roccaro AM, Mishima Y, Sacco A, Moschetta M, Tai YT, Shi J, Zhang Y, Reagan MR, Huynh D, Kawano Y, Sahin I, Chiarini M, Manier S, Cea M, Aljawai Y, Glavey S, Morgan E, Pan C, Michor F, Cardarelli P, Kuhne M, Ghobrial IM. CXCR4 Regulates Extra-Medullary Myeloma through Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition-like Transcriptional Activation. Cell Rep 12(4):622-635, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26190113.
- Weinstock M, Aljawai Y, Morgan EA, Laubach J, Gannon M, Roccaro AM, Varga C, Mitsiades CS, Paba-Prada C, Schlossman R, Munshi N, Anderson KC, Richardson PP, Weller E, Ghobrial IM. Incidence and clinical features of extramedullary multiple myeloma in patients who underwent stem cell transplantation. Br J Haematol 169(6):851-858, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25833301.
- Maiso P, Huynh D, Moschetta M, Sacco A, Aljawai Y, Mishima Y, Asara JM, Roccaro AM, Kimmelman AC, Ghobrial IM. Metabolic signature identifies novel targets for drug resistance in multiple myeloma. Cancer Res 75(10):2071-2082, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25769724.
- Banwait R, Aljawai Y, Cappuccio J, McDiarmid S, Morgan EA, Leblebjian H, Roccaro AM, Laubach J, Castillo JJ, Paba-Prada C, Treon S, Redd R, Weller E, Ghobrial IM. Extramedullary Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Am J Hematol 90(2):100-104, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25349134.
- Reagan MR, Mishima Y, Glavey SV, Zhang Y, Manier S, Lu ZN, Memarzadeh M, Zhang Y, Sacco A, Aljawai Y, Shi J, Tai YT, Ready JE, Kaplan DL, Roccaro AM, Ghobrial IM. Investigating osteogenic differentiation in multiple myeloma using a novel 3D bone marrow niche model. Blood 124(22):3250-3259, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25205118.
- Zhang Y, Moschetta M, Huynh D, Tai YT, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Mishima Y, Ring JE, Tam WF, Xu Q, Maiso P, Reagan M, Sahin I, Sacco A, Manier S, Aljawai Y, Glavey S, Munshi NC, Anderson KC, Pachter J, Roccaro AM, Ghobrial IM. Pyk2 promotes tumor progression in multiple myeloma. Blood 124(17):2675-2686, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25217697.
- Roccaro AM, Sacco A, Jimenez C, Maiso P, Moschetta M, Mishima Y, Aljawai Y, Sahin I, Kuhne M, Cardarelli P, Cohen L, San Miguel JF, Garcia-Sanz R, Ghobrial IM. C1013G/CXCR4 acts as a driver mutation of tumor progression and modulator of drug resistance in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Blood 123(26):4120-4131, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24711662.
- Aljawai Y, Richards MH, Seaton MS, Narasipura SD, Al-Harthi L. β-Catenin/TCF-4 signaling regulates susceptibility of macrophages and resistance of monocytes to HIV-1 productive infection. Curr HIV Res 12(3):164-173, 2014. PMID: 24862328.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2022. Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (alloBMT) using haploidentical grandchildren donors and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) -based GVHD prophylaxis. Conference. Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (alloBMT) using haploidentical grandchildren donors and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) -based GVHD prophylaxis. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2022. Transfusion Burden in Older Patients with Hematological Malignancies Undergoing Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Invited. Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2022. Monitoring of Childhood ALL using BCR-ABL1 genomic breakpoints identifies a subgroup with CML-like biology. Invited. Division of Medical Oncology Journal Club. Baltimore, MD, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2022. Stem Cell Transplant – Choosing Donors for Older Patients. Invited. Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Department. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Allogeneic Transplantation using Haploidentical Grandchildren Donors. Invited. Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy/ Hematology Oncology Department. Charlottesville, VA, US.
- 2022. Transplanting Older Patients. Invited. Hematology and Oncology Department. Houston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. Pre-Transplant Recipient Clonal Hematopoiesis (CH) Predicts Poor Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Blood or Marrow Transplantation (alloBMT). Poster. Pre-Transplant Recipient Clonal Hematopoiesis (CH) Predicts Poor Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Blood or Marrow Transplantation (alloBMT). Orlando, FL, US.
- 2022. Allogeneic Blood or Marrow Transplantation (alloBMT) Using Haploidentical Grandchildren Donors and Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy) – Based GVHD Prophylaxis. Poster. Allogeneic Blood or Marrow Transplantation (alloBMT) Using Haploidentical Grandchildren Donors and Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy) – Based GVHD Prophylaxis. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. A case-control epidemiological study of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. Poster. A case-control epidemiological study of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Extramedullary disease in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. Poster. Extramedullary disease in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Metabolomic profiling identifies mechanisms regulating hypoxia-induced drug resistance in Multiple Myeloma. Poster. Metabolomic profiling identifies mechanisms regulating hypoxia-induced drug resistance in Multiple Myeloma. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Bone marrow mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells represents an early pathogenic event during Multiple Myeloma progression. Poster. Bone marrow mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells represents an early pathogenic event during Multiple Myeloma progression. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Molecular analysis of circulating tumor cells identifies mutations that are distinct from those present in the bone marrow of patients with Multiple Myeloma. Poster. Molecular analysis of circulating tumor cells identifies mutations that are distinct from those present in the bone marrow of patients with Multiple Myeloma. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. MiRNA expression profiling and proteomic analysis of circulating exosomes from Multiple Myeloma patients. Poster. MiRNA expression profiling and proteomic analysis of circulating exosomes from Multiple Myeloma patients. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Lin28B/Let-7 axis regulates Multiple Myeloma proliferation by enhancing c-Myc and Ras survival pathways. Poster. Lin28B/Let-7 axis regulates Multiple Myeloma proliferation by enhancing c-Myc and Ras survival pathways. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2) promotes tumor progression in Multiple Myeloma through modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Poster. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2) promotes tumor progression in Multiple Myeloma through modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. MicroRNA-dependent modulation of osteogenesis in a 3D in vitro bone marrow model system of Multiple Myeloma. Poster. MicroRNA-dependent modulation of osteogenesis in a 3D in vitro bone marrow model system of Multiple Myeloma. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2012. Metabolomic profiling identifies mechanisms regulating hypoxia induced drug resistance in Multiple Myeloma. Poster. Metabolomic profiling identifies mechanisms regulating hypoxia induced drug resistance in Multiple Myeloma. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2012. Comparative miRNA expression profiling of circulating exosomes from MGUS and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma patients. Poster. Comparative miRNA expression profiling of circulating exosomes from MGUS and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma patients. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2012. In vivo targeting of stromal-derived factor-1 as a strategy to prevent myeloma cell dissemination to distant bone marrow niches. Poster. In vivo targeting of stromal-derived factor-1 as a strategy to prevent myeloma cell dissemination to distant bone marrow niches. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2012. CXCR4 monoclonal antibody, BMS-936564 (MDX-1338), modulates Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Multiple Myeloma cells. Poster. CXCR4 monoclonal antibody, BMS-936564 (MDX-1338), modulates Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Multiple Myeloma cells. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2012. Let-7 microRNA family members regulate cell proliferation in Multiple Myeloma. Poster. Let-7 microRNA family members regulate cell proliferation in Multiple Myeloma. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2010. A downstream effector of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, TCF-4, relieves restricted productive HIV replication in monocytes. Conference. A downstream effector of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, TCF-4, relieves restricted productive HIV replication in monocytes. Boston, MA, US.
- 2010. 17beta-estradiol inhibits HIV replication in PBMC and induces beta-catenin, a repressor of HIV. Conference. 17beta-estradiol inhibits HIV replication in PBMC and induces beta-catenin, a repressor of HIV. Boston, MA, US.
- 2010. Beta-catenin regulates susceptibility of productive HIV infection in monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages and astrocytes relevance to NeuroAIDS. Conference. Beta-catenin regulates susceptibility of productive HIV infection in monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages and astrocytes relevance to NeuroAIDS. Santa Fe, NM, US.
- 2009. HIV-1 Tat antagonizes Wnt/beta-catenin-induced suppression of HIV replication in the central nervous system. Conference. HIV-1 Tat antagonizes Wnt/beta-catenin-induced suppression of HIV replication in the central nervous system. Miami Beach, FL, US.
- 2009. Beta-catenin regulates susceptibility of productive HIV replication between monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. Invited. The Forum for Research and Clinical Investigation. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2008. Beta-catenin regulates susceptibility of productive HIV replication between monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. Conference. Beta-catenin regulates susceptibility of productive HIV replication between monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. Chicago, IL, US.
International Presentations
- 2014. A novel activating somatic mutation of CXCR4 plays a crucial role in modulating Waldenström Macroglobulinemia biology. Conference. A novel activating somatic mutation of CXCR4 plays a crucial role in modulating Waldenström Macroglobulinemia biology, IT.
- 2013. Metabolomic profiling identifies mechanisms regulating hypoxia-induced drug resistance in Multiple Myeloma. Conference. Metabolomic profiling identifies mechanisms regulating hypoxia-induced drug resistance in Multiple Myeloma, SE.
Formal Peers
- 2022. Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance, diagnosis and management. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2022. Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma risk stratification and management. Baltimore, MD, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Minimal Residual Disease Guided Maintenance Therapy with Belantamab and Lenalidomide After Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma |
| Funding Source: | GlaxoSmithKline |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Title: | Training Program in Hematology, Director: Robert Brodsky, MD |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified January 16, 2025