Emanuela Palmerini, M.D., Ph.D.
Internationally recognized for her expertise in bone and soft tissue sarcomas, Emanuela Palmerini, M.D., Ph.D., joined Sylvester in March 2025 as a full professor of sarcoma research. She brought with her two decades of experience in sarcoma research, including leading more than 30 clinical trials at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna, Italy, and helping build global research networks for rare cancers. At Sylvester, she plans large-scale preclinical studies and phase 1 trials for osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, focusing on adolescent and young adult patients. Dr. Palmerini brings unmatched experience and a mission to accelerate solutions.
“Sarcoma research requires persistence and creativity. These are not one size fits all tumors, and progress often happens in careful, incremental steps. For me, the work is driven by the knowledge that every insight can meaningfully affect a patient who has very few options.”
Brian A. Walker, Ph.D.
Sylvester welcomed Brian Walker, Ph.D., a global leader in myeloma research, as a professor of medicine. Dr. Walker specializes in genomics and epigenetics, using multiomics approaches (leveraging data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics and metabolomics) to understand disease progression and treatment resistance. His work has shaped international guidelines, including identifying TP53 gene loss as a marker of ultra-high-risk myeloma. At Sylvester, he collaborates with C. Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D., director of Sylvester Myeloma Institute, to pair leading-edge science with clinical trials and accelerate precision medicine.
“Sylvester has built a robust portfolio of clinical trials here, and the ability to pair those with bio-banked samples and correlative science is incredibly powerful,” Dr. Walker said. “It’s more impactful than basic research alone—we’re translating discovery directly into patient care.”
Rafat Abonour, M.D.
Sylvester appointed Rafat Abonour, M.D., as associate director of Clinical Affairs for the Sylvester Myeloma Institute, based out of its new SoLé Mia facility in North Miami, which opened in 2025. A nationally recognized expert, Dr. Abonour brought decades of experience in clinical research and patient care, including leading transformative studies that secured approval for therapies. He also established one of the nation’s largest myeloma registries, linking clinical and biological data to accelerate discovery and improve real-world outcomes. At Sylvester, he is building SoLé Mia’s comprehensive myeloma program, integrating clinical trials, multidisciplinary care and personalized treatment strategies.
“I was inspired by the opportunity to join a rapidly growing cancer institute and work alongside world-class researchers while serving the patient population in South Florida,” he said.