Ayalew Tefferi, MD is a professor of Hematology and Medicine at Mayo Clinic and a distinguished physician specializing in the pathophysiology, natural history, and treatment of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis. He completed his MD at the University of Athens Medical School, followed by a residency in internal medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, IL. Ayalew Tefferi, MD then completed his residency in hematology and fellowship in hematology at the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. His research encompasses both database and laboratory-based studies, aiming to develop new therapeutic drugs for these conditions. Ayalew Tefferi, MD meticulously analyzes clinical and laboratory risk factors predictive of patient outcomes in MPNs, such as fibrotic transformation, leukemic transformation, and overall survival. He utilizes disease-specific clinical databases, with data collected over several decades, to identify these risk factors. Additionally, he has led extensive research in genetic and mutational profiling of MPNs, resulting in the creation of genetic and clinical-molecular prognostic models, which are now integral to contemporary clinical care for patients with MPNs. He has spearheaded numerous clinical trials, contributing to the licensing of several drugs for MPNs in the U.S. Notable therapeutic agents include ruxolitinib and momelotinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis. Ayalew Tefferi, MD has also conducted pioneering studies on rare MPNs, including systemic mastocytosis, eosinophilic conditions, histiocytic disorders, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of relatively uncommon diseases with poorly understood clinical and biological features, and the only curative treatment is stem cell transplantation. Ayalew Tefferi, MD's research has significantly enhanced the understanding of these diseases, identified critical patient characteristics, and developed new treatments. His work is widely adopted by MPN experts and incorporated into international guidelines. His studies on rare MPNs have also advanced disease biology understanding and informed rational treatment strategies. Ayalew Tefferi, MD is deeply committed to improving patient care by educating other healthcare professionals and sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of hematology.

Mrinal S. Patnaik, MBBS is a physician scientist in the Division of Hematology within the Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He serves as Chair of the Acute Leukemia and Myeloid Neoplasms Group in Rochester and is the Scientific Director of the Epigenetics Developmental Laboratory and the Epigenomics Program. He is actively involved in the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Bone Marrow Transplant Program. Dr. Patnaik’s clinical and research expertise centers on precision genomics and epigenetics, with a focus on myeloid neoplasms and bone marrow failure syndromes. He directs the Mayo Clinic Clonal Hematopoiesis Clinic, the Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome Clinic, and the Short Telomere Clinic. His primary clinical interests include chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms, hereditary predisposition syndromes, and short telomere syndromes. He performs allogeneic stem cell transplantation and integrates genomic risk stratification into therapeutic decision making. Board certified in internal medicine and hematology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Patnaik completed his residency and hematology oncology fellowship training at Mayo Clinic. He is recognized for excellence in education and mentorship, including induction into the Mayo Fellows Association Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame and receipt of the Internal Medicine Residents Outstanding Teaching Award. This session will provide a comprehensive clinical update in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, highlighting key aspects of diagnosis, risk assessment, and current treatment approaches. Emphasis will be placed on practical management strategies, evolving therapeutic options, and individualized patient care to support informed decision making in the management of CMML.

Saad Z. Usmani, MD, MBA, FACP, FRCP, FASCO is Chief of the Myeloma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a leading international expert in the diagnosis, management, and research of multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. He also serves as Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University. Dr. Usmani completed his medical education at Allama Iqbal Medical College, followed by residency training in internal medicine at Sinai Grace Hospital and Wayne State University. He subsequently completed fellowship training in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr. Usmani specializes in the care of patients with multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders, including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering myeloma, and AL amyloidosis. Many of the patients he treats have high risk or difficult to treat disease, and his clinical work focuses on developing individualized treatment strategies that integrate the latest advances in targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and cellular therapy. His expertise also includes bone marrow transplantation and CAR T cell therapy for plasma cell malignancies. His research program focuses on advancing therapeutic strategies for multiple myeloma through clinical trials, immunotherapy development, and the integration of novel treatment approaches. Dr. Usmani has played a key role in the clinical development of several therapies that have received regulatory approval for patients with multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies. His work also explores the role of minimal residual disease testing to guide treatment decisions, improve risk stratification, and better understand disease progression from precursor conditions to active myeloma. Dr. Usmani holds numerous leadership roles in international clinical research collaborations and professional societies. He currently serves as Chair of the Myeloma Committee for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology within the National Clinical Trials Network and is a board member of the International Myeloma Society. His contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Career Development Achievement Award, the Celgene Young Investigator Award for Clinical Research in Hematology, and repeated recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Through his clinical leadership, research contributions, and educational engagement, Dr. Usmani continues to help shape the evolving landscape of myeloma treatment while advancing care for patients with plasma cell disorders worldwide.