Dr. Shruti Bhatt, PhD. in Pharmacology

Dr. Shruti Bhatt is an accomplished Assistant Professor at Emory University in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, with a joint appointment at the Emory-Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, GA. Her research lab is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies and developing innovative therapeutic strategies for relapsed leukemia using functional and genomic approaches. Dr. Bhatt completed her postdoctoral training in Dr. Anthony Letai’s laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she focused on personalizing leukemia therapy by leveraging the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. She earned her PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Miami under the mentorship of Dr. Izidore Lossos, during which she developed a novel antibody-cytokine fusion protein to target lymphoid tumors.

Dr. Bhatt’s research centers on identifying mechanisms of relapse to targeted therapies in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Her research lab investigates both genetic and non-genetic factors, with a particular emphasis on the role of mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. Utilizing precision medicine approaches, such as dynamic BH3 profiling, she tailors treatments to individual patients’ tumor profiles. Her work on BH3 mimetics explores the efficacy of small molecule inhibitors targeting anti-apoptotic proteins, advancing targeted therapies for blood cancers. In addition to her work on acute leukemia, Dr. Bhatt has focused on identifying novel therapeutic targets for DLBCL to improve outcomes for patients who relapse on standard treatments. Dr. Bhatt has developed innovative immunotherapeutics for aggressive B-cell lymphomas, including primary effusion lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). 

Dr. Bhatt’s contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Career Development Fellow Award, American Society of Hematology Global Research Award, American Association of Cancer Research Nextgen Stars Award, and European Molecular Biology Organization Global Investigator Award. Beyond her research endeavors, Dr. Bhatt is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and innovative scientific environment. She mentors graduate students and postdocs, helping them achieve their career goals, and engages diverse undergraduate students in rigorous scientific research and networking opportunities. Her commitment to mentorship and inclusivity ensures the development of the next generation of scientists in hematology and oncology. Dr. Shruti Bhatt’s extensive expertise and dedication to advancing the field of hematology position her as a significant contributor to scientific research and innovation.