Dr. Sandhya Panch | Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor, University of Washington, United States

Dr. Sandhya R. Panch, MD, MPH, is an esteemed Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and the Medical Director of Transfusion at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. With a rich background in hematology and transfusion medicine, Dr. Panch has significantly contributed to both academic and clinical fields. Her extensive experience includes roles at the National Institutes of Health and various prestigious institutions, making her a leading expert in her specialty.

Profile

• Scopus

Strengths for the Award

1. Extensive Research Contributions: Dr. Sandhya R. Panch has a robust background in hematology and transfusion medicine, with numerous publications and ongoing research projects focusing on blood disorders and transfusion techniques. Her work spans both clinical and laboratory settings, which is crucial for community impact.
2. Leadership and Academic Roles: She holds significant positions, such as Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington and Medical Director at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to advancing medical knowledge and practice.
3. Diverse Clinical and Research Experience: Her experience at prestigious institutions like the NIH Clinical Center and various roles in hematology and transfusion medicine highlight her ability to conduct impactful research that benefits the community.
4. Grant and Funding Success: Dr. Panch has secured numerous research grants, including those from the NIH and pharmaceutical companies, indicating her capability to attract funding for significant projects that can lead to community improvements.
5. Professional Recognition and Contributions: Her memberships and roles in leading hematology and transfusion medicine organizations, along with her peer review work for top journals, underline her expertise and recognition in the field.

Areas for Improvement

1. Broader Community Engagement: While her research is highly specialized and impactful within the medical community, expanding outreach and direct engagement with broader community health initiatives could further demonstrate her commitment to community impact.
2. Public Awareness and Education: Increasing her involvement in public education and awareness campaigns related to blood disorders and transfusion medicine could enhance her visibility and impact on community health.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encouraging more interdisciplinary research and collaboration with other fields, such as public health policy or social sciences, could broaden the scope and applicability of her research findings to address community health issues more comprehensively.
   

   Education 🎓📖

   Dr. Panch earned her MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute in India. She furthered her education with a Master’s in Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) from the University of Minnesota. Her postdoctoral training includes a residency in Internal Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, followed by a Clinical Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, where she also completed a Post-doctoral Research Fellowship in Molecular Hematopoiesis under the mentorship of Dr. Cynthia E. Dunbar.

   Experience 🏥👩‍⚕️

   Dr. Panch has held numerous prestigious positions throughout her career. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Washington and Medical Director of Transfusion at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Her previous roles include Assistant Research Physician at the NIH Clinical Center and Medical Director at the Center for Cellular Engineering. She has also served as an Attending Physician at NHLBI, NIH, and INOVA SCHAR Cancer Institute, contributing to both clinical practice and research.

   Research Interests 🔬🧬

   Dr. Panch’s research interests are deeply rooted in hematology and transfusion medicine. She focuses on improving hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization, understanding the impact of manufacturing-related parameters on CAR T-cell product quality, and exploring the safety and efficacy of various treatments for hematologic conditions. Her work aims to enhance patient outcomes through innovative therapeutic approaches and clinical trials.

   Awards 🏆🎖️

   Dr. Panch has received numerous awards and grants throughout her career, including the National Blood Foundation Early Career Award and the NIH Clinical Center Research Award for Staff Clinicians Program. She has been recognized for her contributions to hematology and transfusion medicine, reflecting her dedication to advancing medical research and patient care.

   Publications 📚🖇️

   • Activation of endothelial and coagulation systems in left ventricular assist device recipients (2009) – Ann Thorac Surg. Cited by 100 articles.
   • Comparative efficacy of two poeciliid fish in indoor cement tanks against chikungunya vector Aedes aegypti in villages in Karnataka, India (2011) – BMC Public Health. Cited by 70 articles.
   • Intermittent leukocytosis in an asymptomatic platelet donor (2013) – Transfusion. Cited by 30 articles.
   • Mobilization characteristics and strategies to improve hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization and collection in patients with chronic granulomatous disease and severe combined immunodeficiency (2015) – Transfusion. Cited by 50 articles.
   • Initial serum ferritin predicts number of therapeutic phlebotomies to iron depletion in secondary iron overload (2015) – Transfusion. Cited by 45 articles.