Division of Hematology and Oncology: Department of Medicine: Feinberg School of Medicine: Northwestern University

The Division of Hematology and Oncology is focused on improving patients’ therapeutic options and quality of life while working to better prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and hematologic disorders.

“Our division houses laboratory-based investigators focused on a broad array of topics, including chemoprevention, cell signal pathways, epigenetics, immune-modulation, and nanotechnology theranostics.”

– William J. Gradishar, MD

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What We Do

Education

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Research

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Patient Care

Cancer Care

Faculty: Meet the Team

View individual profiles of our faculty members and learn about their research and clinical specialties.

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John D Crispino

Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology) and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

Research in the Crispino laboratory is focused on investigating the regulatory mechanisms governing normal and malignant blood cell development, with an emphasis on understanding the growth of erythroid cells (red blood cells) and megakaryocytes (platelet-producing cells). In addition, the group has a major interest in learning how changes in normal essential regulatory molecules lead to human blood diseases, including acute leukemias and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The lab seeks to make seminal basic science discoveries while simultaneously translating these discoveries in ways that ...

Hau C Kwaan

Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)

Hematology and Oncology, with special interest in Thrombosis and Bleeding Disorders and in Fibrinolysis.

David J VanderWeele

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)

Dr. VanderWeele did his medical and research training at the University of Chicago, where he developed a research program characterizing the heterogeneity and evolution of the cancer genome. He moved to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD, where he continued to seek to improve the treatment of prostate cancer based on patients’ specific genetic changes. He returned to Chicago in 2018 to join the GU cancer team at Northwestern University, where he continues to translate discoveries made at the bench into improved therapies in the clinic.

Jindan Yu

Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology) and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

The primary research focus of the lab is to understand aberrant transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of prostate cancer. We utilize high-throughput genomic techniques in combination with bioinformatics/statistical analysis to generate hypothetical concepts. We then test these hypotheses using traditional molecular or cellular biological approaches and examine the functional relevance of innovative mechanisms using in vitro cell line and in vivo mouse models. Transcription factors of particular interest to us include androgen receptor (AR), FoxA1, Polycomb group protein (EZH2), and the Ets...

Aparna Kalyan

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)

My primary interests are in developing novel therapeutic combinations for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. I am interested in incorporating immunotherapy and molecular testing into clinical trials.

Maha H.A. Hussain

Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)

Maha Hussain, MD, FACP, FASCO, is the Genevieve Teuton Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, and the Deputy Director at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is a practicing oncologist, internationally renowned expert and clinical researcher in genitourinary oncology particularly prostate and bladder cancer. Her clinical research has contributed to impacting the standards of care for patients with metastatic hormone sensitive and castration resistant prostate cancer. Prior ...

Derek A Wainwright

Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, Medicine (Hematology and Oncology) and Microbiology-Immunology

Our laboratory utilizes DNA sequencing, gene expression profiling, proteomic analyses, flow cytometric methodology and many other basic techniques to pursue goals that are ultimately translatable for improving health and overall survival in patients with brain cancer. Although our research is primarily focused on malignant glioma, with a special emphasis on glioblastoma, we are also interested in pursuing incurable pediatric brain tumors, as well as metastatic tumors that invade the brain/spinal cord. It is our sincere hope that, the basic mechanistic investigations that we carry out, uncover ...

Bin Zhang

Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology) and Microbiology-Immunology

Cancer immunology and immunotherapy. The Zhang laboratory functions as an integrated translational research program with the goal of designing and developing new immunotherapies and immunologic strategies for cancer treatment. The ongoing projects are focused on dissecting the molecular mechanisms used for tumor immune evasion based on the cutting-edge technical platforms.

Marcus Ernst Peter

Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology) and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

The lab of Dr. Marcus E. Peter studies various forms of cell death including apoptosis, which is a fundamental process to regulate homeostasis of all tissues and to eliminate unwanted cells specifically in the immune system. Another interest lies in the study of RNA interference and based on toxic RNAs to development a novel form of cancer treatment. The laboratory is located within the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern University.

Al B Benson

Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)

Colon cancer, Gastric cancer, Pancreas cancer, Rectal cancer

News

Radiation Plus Chemotherapy Doesn’t Improve Endometrial Cancer Recurrence-Free Survival

Drug Improves Survival in Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Drug Shows Benefit in Metastatic Osteosarcoma

Innovations in Radiology

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Events

CAPS Minisymposium - Cancer: Imaging and Therapy

June 21
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Annual Lurie Cancer Center Symposium & Scientific Poster Session

June 27
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Cancer Prevention Symposium for Clinicians and Researchers

June 28
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

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Contact Us

We welcome your questions and comments.

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Diversity and Inclusion

The department works toward an environment of inclusion and support through the Diversity and Cultural Affairs Council and through several dedicated events and initiatives.

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Housestaff Research Portal

Graduate Research Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and training to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

Visit the Housestaff Research Portal

Giving

Support What We Do

We invite your philanthropic partnership in helping us achieve our research and teaching missions each day.

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Contact Terri Dillon for more information on supporting the Division of Hematology-Oncology at 312-503-4837 or terri-dillon@northwestern.edu.