Amy Scholar Research Program

Since 1998, our Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program and other fellowships have supported the research endeavors of early-career scientists and clinicians focused on post-transplant complications. Each year we award funding to new investigators with the most promising projects. Your gift supports this critical effort to advance research that helps our patients live longer, healthier lives.

Amy Strelzer Manasevit Scholars 

You have the power to help our patients heal. Support research with a financial gift today.

The Amy Program was established in memory of Amy Strelzer Manasevit. A vibrant young mother of two, Amy was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1993. She received the successful bone marrow transplant she needed, but her immune system became severely depleted. She succumbed to pneumonia and passed away six weeks after returning home. Amy's husband and father turned their heartbreak into a mission to help others like Amy, and partnered with us to establish the Amy Program. 

Since 1998, Be The Match Foundation®️ has invested nearly $12.5 million to fund 49-51 early-career physician-scientists to develop research portfolios and establish their labs. Amy Scholars have gone on to win $253,540,004 in subsequent government grants following their Amy awards and discovered novel ways to help more patients live longer, healthier lives. Today, the Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program for the study of post-transplant complications is one of the largest and most coveted fellowships in the field of transplantation.

Nicoletta Cieri, MD, PhD​, 2024
Dana Farber Cancer Institute​
Project: Systematic identification of minor histocompatibility antigens to inform GvHD outcomes

Faruk Sacirbegovic, PhD​, 2024
University of Pittsburgh
Project: Understanding the maintenance of alloresponses in GvHD tissues

Eiko Hayase, MD, PhD, 2023
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Project: Evaluating Bacteroides ovatus as a treatment for dysbiotic microbiota-induced intestinal graft-versus-host disease

Melody Smith, MD, MS, 2023
Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Project: Donor CD19/CD22 CAR T cells as prevention of relapse following graft engineered allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Daniel C. Peltier, MD, PhD, 2022
Riley Children’s Health (Indiana University Health)
Project: Regulation of allogeneic T cell function by a lncRNA-encoded micro-peptide

Melinda Biernacki, MD, 2021
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: A “T cell-first” approach to dissecting antigen-specific T cell responses mediating graft-versus-leukemia effects

Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, MD, PhD, 2021
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: Humoral Immune Protection Against Respiratory Viral Infections After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Ya-Yuan Fu, PhD, 2020
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project: Immune-mediated epithelial regeneration in gastrointestinal tract after hematopoietic cell transplantation

Johnnie J. Orozco, MD, PhD, 2020
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: Synergizing Humanized Anti-CD33 Antibody for Radioimmunotherapy to Eradicate AML

Victor Tkachev, PhD, 2020
Boston Children’s Hospital
Project: Discovering novel molecular targets for prevention of acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

Tessa M. Andermann, MD, MPH, 2019
Stanford University 
Project: Modulation of CAR-T Cell Therapy Efficacy by the Intestinal Microbiome in Patients with Leukemia and Lymphoma 

Pavan Bachireddy, MD, 2019
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project: Coevolution of leukemia and immune cells during GvL response and resistance 

Noha Sharafeldin, MBBCh, MSc, PhD, 2019 
University of Alabama
Project Impact of cognitive training on cognition after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation - a randomized wait-listed clinical trial 

Nathan Singh, MD, 2019 
University of Pennsylvania
Project: Molecular interactions between T cells and tumor cells that limit CAR T cell cytotoxicity and persistence 

Craig Byersdorfer, MD, PhD, 2018
University of Pittsburgh
Project: "Manipulation of T Cell metabolism to treat and prevent acute graft-versus-host disease"

Joshua Hill, MD, 2018
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Project: "Genome-wide host expression to diagnose infectious and non-infectious cause of lower respiratory tract disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation"

Rayne Rouce, MD, 2018
Baylor School of Medicine
Project: "CD19 Multivirus-specific T cells as treatment and prevention of relapse and viral infections post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant"

Enrico Velardi, PhD, 2018
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project: "Strategies to enhance post-transplant immune reconstitution"

Patrick J. Hanley, PhD, 2017 
Children’s National Medical Center
Project: “Cord Blood T cells as a Therapy for Viral Infections”

Jaebok Choi, PhD, 2017 
Washington University in St. Louis
Project: “IFNyR and IL6R Signaling as Key Therapeutic Targets to control GvHDL”

Scott James, MD, PhD, 2017 
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project: “Chimeric antigen receptors to inhibit graft vs. host disease”

Matt S. Zinter, MD, 2017
University of California, San Francisco
Project: “Transcriptional and Molecular Signatures of Lung Injury in Pediatric Hematopoietic Cellular Transplantation”

Jin S. Im, MD, PhD, 2016 
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Project: “Developing novel cellular therapy using iNK T cells to prevent graft versus host disease”

Brian C. Betts, MD, 2016
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Project: “Adoptive transfer of antigen-specific STAT3-inhibited iTreg to prevent GVHD and preserve GVL”

Frank M. Cichocki, Ph.D., 2015
University of Minnesota
Project: "NK cells: Adapting to control viral infections and prevent relapse after HCT"

Joseph A. Pidala, M.D., Ph.D., 2015 (American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Scholar)
H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute
Project: "Defining the transplantation tolerance transcriptome: A path towards individualized management of immune suppression after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation"

Ami S. Bhatt, M.D., Ph.D., 2014
Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Project: "Sequence-based Pathogen Discovery in Idiopathic Complications of Stem Cell Transplantation" 

Alan M. Hanash, M.D., Ph.D., 2014 (American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Scholar)
Institution: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Project: "Intestinal Stem Cell Targets of Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)" 

Ran Reshef, M.D., 2013
Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Project: “Control of Human Graft-Versus-Host Disease by Modulation of Lymphocyte Trafficking”

Everett H. Meyer, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., 2013 (American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Scholar)
Institution: Stanford University
Project: “Immune Monitoring of Regulatory T Cell Therapy to Treat Steroid Refractory Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease”

Xiao Chen, M.D., Ph.D., 2012
Institution: Medical College of Wisconsin
Project: “A Critical Role of Retinoic Acid in the Pathophysiology of Gastrointestinal GVHD”

Sophie Paczesny, M.D., Ph.D., 2011
Institution: University of Michigan Medical School
Project: "Proteome of chronic graft versus host disease"

Vu Nguyen, M.D., 2010
Institution: University of Chicago
Project: "Defining the role of gut microflora in graft-versus-host disease"

Stefanie Sarantopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., 2009
Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Project: "The BCR-activated B cell: a novel therapeutic target in chronic GVHD"

Ann M. Leen, B.Sc., Ph.D., 2008
Institution: Baylor College of Medicine
Project: “Multipathogen-specific CTL for the Immunocompromised”

Mari Hashitate Dallas, M.D., 2007, (Alaina J. Enlow Scholar)
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Project: "Enhanced T Cell Reconstitution by Umbilical Cord Blood Progenitors Expanded Ex-Vivo Using the Notch Ligand Delta 1"

Onder S. Alpdogan, M.D., 2005, (2006-2007 Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Scholar)
Institution: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Mentor: Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D.
Project: "Immunostimulatory Cytokine/Growth Factor and T Cell Precursor Administration to Enhance Immune Reconstitution after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in Experimental Murine Models"

Pavan R. Reddy, M.D., 2005 (Alaina J. Enlow Scholar)
Institution: University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor
Mentor: James Ferrara, M.D.
Project: "Regulation of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Graft-Versus-Leukemia Effect by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors"

Anthony G. Brickner, Ph.D.2004, (Dr. Robert A. Good Scholar)
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Mentor: Albert D. Donnenberg, Ph.D.
Project: "Identifying Graft-Versus-Leukemia-Associated Human Minor Histocompatibility Antigens Restricted by HLA-AZ"

Jason W. Chien, M.D., M.S., 2004 (Dr. George Santos Scholar)
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Mentor: Joan G. Clark, M.D.
Project: "Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome, Chronic GVHD and the Innate Immune Response"

Catherine M. Bollard, M.D., 2003
Institution: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
Mentor: Helen Heslop, M.D.
Project: "Adoptive Immunotherapy with Tri-Virus Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Post Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant"

Katharine C. Hsu, M.D., Ph.D., 2003
Institution: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Mentor: Bo DuPont, M.D.
Project: "NK Killer Ig-Like Receptors and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Outcome"

Anna Mari Malkki, Ph.D., 2002 (Alaina Enlow Scholars)
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Mentor: Claudio Anasetti, M.D.
Project: "Identification of Functional Human SNPs in Unrelated Hematopoietic Stem Cells"

Leo Luznik, M.D., 2001
Institution: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
Mentors: Ephraim Fuchs, M.D.; Drew Pardoll, M.D.
Project: "Prevention of Relapse with Tumor Vaccines after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant"

Judith A. Shizuru, M.D., Ph.D., 2001
Institution: Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, Calif.
Mentors: Karl Blume, M.D.; Irving Weissman, M.D.
Project: "Designing Hematopoietic Grafts to Optimize Post-Transplantation Immune Reconstitution"

Kenneth R. Cooke, M.D., 2000
Institution: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Mentor: James L.M. Ferrara, M.D.
Project: "Cellular and Inflammatory Effectors of Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplants"

Thea M. Friedman, Ph.D., 2000 (Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Scholar)
Institution: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Mentor: Neal Flomenberg, M.D.
Project: "The Use of T-Cell Receptor V-ß Spectratype Analysis in Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplants"

Kenneth G. Lucas, M.D., 1999
Institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Mentor: William P. Vaughn, M.D.
Project: "Adoptive Immunotherapy with CMV and EBV Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Using B Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines"

Marcel R.M. Van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., 1999
Institution: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Mentor: Richard J. O’Reilly, M.D.
Project: "The Role of FAS Ligand and Perforin in Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Graft-vs-Leukemia after Bone Marrow Transplantation with or without Donor Leukocyte Infusion"

Stephanie J. Lee, M.D., M.P.H., 1998
Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Mentor: Joseph H. Antin, M.D.
Project: "The Morbidity and Mortality of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease"

Paul J. Orchard, M.D., 1998
Institution: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Mentor: Philip McGlave, M.D.
Project: "Genetic Engineering of T Cells for Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplantation"

Additional awards granted through the Amy Program:

Astellas (formerly Fujisawa) Post-Doctoral Fellows

Milena Bogunovic, M.D., 2007
Institution: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York
Project: "The Role of Recipient Dendritic Cells in Post-Transplant Complications"

William W. Hope, MBBS, FRACP, 2005
Institution: National Institutes of Health – National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md.
Mentor: Thomas Walsh, M.D.
Project: "The Application of Antifungal Pharmodynamics to Optimize the Therapeutic Outcome of Invasive Aspergillosis Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation"

Christian Jacobsen Post-Doctoral Fellows

Hong Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., 2006
Institution: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.
Mentor: Warren D. Shlomchik, M.D.
Project: "Spontaneous Memory T Cells in Graft-Versus-Leukemia Effect"

Hong Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., 2005
Institution: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.
Mentor: Warren D. Shlomchik, M.D.
Project: "Spontaneous Memory T Cells in Graft-Versus-Leukemia Effect"

Baxter Oncology Post-Doctoral Fellows

Mentor: Edmund K. Waller, M.D., Ph.D.
Project: "Fludarabine-Treated Donor T-Cells in Allogeneic BMT-Reduced Graft-Versus-Host Disease Activity with Retained Graft-Versus-Leukemia Effects"

Lei Bao, M.D., Ph.D., 2004
Institution: University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis
Mentor: Dr. Sue Marshall
Project: "Identification of MHC Class II Restricted Male-Specific Human Minor Histocompatibility Antigens for Immunotherapy or Immunoprevention"

Kathleen A. Houtchens, Ph.D., 2003
Institution: Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, Calif.
Mentor: Elizabeth A. Trachtenberg, Ph.D.
Project: "High Resolution KIR Genotyping System Development and Validation for Use in Post Stem Cell Transplant Outcome Analyses"

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BIPI) Post-Doctoral Fellows

Jakub Tolar, M.D., 2002
Institution: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Mentor: Bruce Blazer, M.D.
Project: "Effect of Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells on Immune Response after Bone Marrow Transplantation"

Daniel A. Nikcevich, M.D., Ph.D., 2001
Institution: Duke University, Durham, N.C.
Mentor: Nelson J.A. Chao, M.D.
Project: "A Pilot Study of Unrelated Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Children and Adults with Hematologic Malignancies"

Chang-Qing (Mickey) Xun, M.D., 2000
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Mentor: Rainer Storb, M.D.
Project: "Non-Cytotoxic Conditioning for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants"

SuperGen Post-Doctoral Fellows

Marie Bleakley, M.D., 2006
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Mentor: Stanley Riddell, M.D.
Project: "Targeting the Leukemic Stem Cell: Development of a Novel Therapeutic Strategy to Prevent and Treat Leukemic Relapse Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant"

Marie Bleakley, M.D., 2005
Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Mentor: Stanley Riddell, M.D.
Project: "Targeting the Leukemic Stem Cell: Development of a Novel Therapeutic Strategy to Prevent and Treat Leukemic Relapse Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant"

Andreas Beilhack, M.D., 2004
Institution: Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.
Mentor: Kathleen Thompson
Project: "The Role of T Cell Trafficking in Graft-Versus-Host Disease"

Jian-Ming Li, Ph.D., 2003
Institution: Emory University, Atlanta
Mentor: Edmund K. Waller, M.D., Ph.D.
Project: "Immunosuppressive Role of Donor Dendritic Cells in Allogeneic Transplantation