Our laboratory is focused on the investigation and characterization of the key genomic and immunologic drivers of multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and additional lymphoproliferative disorders. Applicants will expect an enriched and productive environment with strong integration between laboratory scientists, computational biologists, and clinicians from the Myeloma and Lymphoma Programs. Our collaborations and clinical activity enable access to large cohorts of samples and clinical datasets, including those from clinical trials.

In the last two years, we have published several innovative studies in high-impact journals using whole-genome and exome sequencing data, and we are now seeking to validate and expand our early discoveries using single-cell approaches, artificial intelligence, and large cohorts of whole genome sequencing data. Select examples of our scientific efforts include:

• Tracking the evolution of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms using chemotherapy signatures (Diamond et al, Blood 2023)
• The Vk*MYC Mouse Model recapitulates human multiple myeloma evolution and genomic diversity (Maura et al, bioRx 2023)
• Molecular Evolution of Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma Revealed Through Whole-Genome Sequencing of Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg Cells (Maura et al, Blood Cancer Discov 2023)
• Whole-genome sequencing reveals complex genomic features underlying anti-CD19 CAR T-cell treatment failures in lymphoma (Jain et al, Blood 2022)
• Copy number signatures predict chromothripsis and clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (Maclachlan et al, Nature Comm 2021)
• mmsig: a fitting approach to accurately identify somatic mutational signatures in hematological malignancies (Rustad et al, Commun Biol 2021)
• Dynamics of minimal residual disease in patients with multiple myeloma on continuous lenalidomide maintenance (Diamond et al, Lancet Haematology 2021)
• The mutagenic impact of melphalan in multiple myeloma (Maura et al, Leukemia 2021)
• Positive selection as the unifying force for clonal evolution in multiple myeloma (Diamond et al, Leukemia 2021)
• Safety and Effectiveness of Weekly Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, Dexamethasone, and Daratumumab Combination Therapy for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: The MANHATTAN Nonrandomized Clinical Trial (Landgren et al, JAMA Oncol 2021)
• Whole-genome sequencing reveals progressive versus stable myeloma precursor conditions as two distinct entities (Oben et al, Nature Comm 2021)
• Initial Whole-Genome Sequencing of Plasma Cell Neoplasms in First Responders and Recovery Workers Exposed to the World Trade Center Attack of September 11, 2001 (Maura et al, Clin Cancer Research 2021)
• Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Followed by Lenalidomide Maintenance for Prevention of Symptomatic Multiple Myeloma in Patients With High-risk Smoldering Myeloma: A Phase 2 Nonrandomized Controlled Trial (Kazandjian et al, JAMA Oncol 2021)
• Advances in MGUS diagnosis, risk stratification, and management: introducing myeloma-defining genomic events (Landgren, Blood 2021)
• Revealing the impact of structural variants in multiple myeloma (Rustad et al, Blood Cancer Discov 2020)
• Accelerated single cell seeding in relapsed multiple myeloma (Landau et al, Nat Comm 2020)
• Moving From Cancer Burden to Cancer Genomics for Smoldering Myeloma (Maura et al, JAMA Oncol 2020)
• Association of Immune Marker Changes With Progression of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to Multiple Myeloma (Landgren et al, JAMA Oncol 2019)
• Molecular underpinnings of clinical disparity patterns in African American vs. Caucasian American multiple myeloma patients (Kazandjian et al, Blood Cancer J 2019)
• Multiple Myeloma and Its Precursor Disease Among Firefighters Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster (Landgren et al, JAMA Oncol 2018)
• Agent Orange Exposure and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: An Operation Ranch Hand Veteran Cohort Study (Landgren et al, JAMA Oncol 2015)
• Pesticide exposure and risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in the Agricultural Health Study (Landgren et al, Blood 2009)
• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) consistently precedes multiple myeloma: a prospective study (Landgren et al, Blood 2009)

We are always looking to recruit new talent to our laboratory. We are interested in applicants with deep knowledge and experience in analyses of large whole genome, targeted, and single-cell sequencing data from patients with lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and related precursor conditions, to inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. There is current interest and dedication to identify genomic drivers of tumor microenvironmental reprogramming that impacts efficacy of immunotherapies, in particular chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-reprogramed T cells and bispecific antibodies. Also, we are seeking to better understand mechanisms of response/resistance to therapy in multiple myeloma patients treated with small molecules. We focus on analyses of both novel and published datasets that help understand clinical significance of laboratory functional studies and provide molecular candidates to fuel further such studies in a virtuous cycle of translational discovery. Postdoctoral researchers in our laboratory will work within a team of dedicated and leading researchers – of basic, translational, clinical, and computational background - all working in cancer genomics and in its integration into clinical practice. Programming experience is required, with proficiency in python and R scripting.

Please send a cover letter and CV to Francesco Maura at fxm557@med.miami.edu and Ola Landgren at col15@miami.edu.