Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Robert Z. Orlowski, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor & Deputy Chair
Florence Maude Thomas Cancer Research Professor
Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma
Department of Experimental Therapeutics
Division of Cancer Medicine
Phone: 713-794-3234
Email: ROrlowski@MDAnderson.org
Wet Lab Team
Isere Kuiatse, Ph.D.
Research Group Leader
2010–Present
Phone: 713-792-0289
Email: IKuiatse@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Kuiatse oversees administrative management of the Orlowski Laboratory. Her work ensures that the laboratory meets all applicable local, state, national operational and safety standards. She organizes scientific group meetings to encourage team building and collaboration. Through the years, Dr. Kuiatse has helped move many key projects that hold promise for future funding. With her strong background in animal work, she contributes to the studies of others in the laboratory by providing advice and, in some cases, effort.
Hua Wang, Ph.D.
Research Laboratory Manager
2010–Present
Phone: 713-563-4832
Email: HWang2@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Wang oversees two core areas of scientific activity. First, he develops a variety of plasmid vectors for gene expression, knockdown, knock-in and knockout applications, as well as transgenic mouse production, using Gibson assembly, Gateway cloning and restriction/ligation methods. Second, he develops antibody-based therapeutics for cancer therapy, encompassing monoclonal antibody development, sequencing, cloning and expression of antibody genes, CAR T technology and antibody-drug conjugate development.
Jun Wei, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
2021–Present
Phone: 713-794-3679
Email: JunWei@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Wei focuses on developing next-generation immunotherapies to overcome treatment resistance in multiple myeloma and other hematological malignancies. His "specimen-to-lab-to-clinic" workflow bridges patient-derived insights with novel therapeutic platforms, including anti-HSP70 antibodies and bispecific T cell engagers designed to reprogram the tumor microenvironment
Li Qin, Ph.D.
Principal Research Scientist
2021–Present
Phone: 713-794-3679
Email: LQin1@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Qin focuses on identifying novel mediators and elucidating their molecular mechanisms in multiple myeloma. Her studies demonstrated that the mitochondrial protease ClpP is a key mediator in high-risk myeloma. She is currently leading studies on extramedullary disease (EMD), aiming to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve the diagnosis and treatment of EMD.
Upasana Ray, Ph.D.
Instructor
2022–Present
Phone: 346-723-0699
Email: URay@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Ray focuses her research in two main areas. The first is developing targeted therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates, T/NK cell engagers and CAR T cells, against newly identified markers, with the goal of bringing these innovations into clinical practice. The second is understanding the determinants of sensitivity and resistance to these agents in order to develop predictive biomarkers and combination strategies that enhance their effectiveness. Together, these efforts advance the pathobiology of lymphoma and myeloma progression and contribute to better patient outcomes.
Luz Yurany Moreno Rueda, Ph.D.
Instructor
2023–Present
Email: LYMoreno@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Moreno Rueda focuses on uncovering the cellular origins and molecular mechanisms that drive malignant B-cell development and progression. Using single-cell transcriptomics and B-cell receptor sequencing, she has identified dysregulated genes associated with symptomatic myeloma across the monoclonal gammopathy and multiple myeloma disease spectrum. Using multi-omics approaches, she is delineating key genes, gene families and signaling pathways involved in disease progression across molecular subtypes of myeloma. Her current work centers on validating and functionally characterizing therapeutic targets in high-risk multiple myeloma.
Wei Tan, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
2021–Present
Phone: 713-794-3680
Email: WTan2@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Tan studies how multiple myeloma becomes resistant to CELMoD therapies. Her research combines genomic DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing and metabolic profiling to identify key drivers of drug resistance and suggest new treatment strategies for patients with refractory disease. She has also discovered a novel biomarker for disease progression and treatment response in myeloma precursor conditions, using longitudinal soluble BCMA measurements and single-cell sequencing to better understand the underlying biology.
Shreetama Bandyopadhayaya, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
2024–Present
Phone: 713-563-4832
Email: SBandyopadhayaya@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Bandyopadhayaya focuses on the molecular pathobiology and therapeutic vulnerabilities of t(11;14) multiple myeloma, interrogating oncogenic signaling networks and transcriptional programs that drive disease progression and resistance. Her work integrates mechanistic cell biology and molecular assays to identify and validate novel targets and predictive biomarkers. She also evaluates targeted immunotherapeutic platforms, including antibody-drug conjugates and T cell engagers, to define their efficacy in biologically defined myeloma subsets.
Sukanya Dhar, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
2025–Present
Phone: 713-792-0289
Email: SDhar2@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Dhar completed her Ph.D. at Jadavpur University in 2024, where her thesis focused on the role of immune suppressor cells in driving multi-drug resistance in non-Hodgkin lymphoma within the tumor microenvironment. She currently investigates rare NHL subtypes, with a focus on Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Her research integrates multi-scale data analysis including scRNA-seq, scBCR-seq and single-cell data analysis.
Dry Lab Team
Minghao Dang, Ph.D.
Associate Data Scientist
2021–Present
Phone: 713-745-9603
Email: MDang1@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Dang applies innovative bioinformatics and single-cell multi-omics approaches to study the tumor ecosystem, profiling tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment and examining tumor–immune–stroma interactions. His research has focused on multiple myeloma, with work aimed at understanding tumor heterogeneity, evolution and microenvironment remodeling during disease progression. He has co-authored publications in journals including Cancer Cell, Med, Neuro-Oncology and PNAS.
Gulzar N. Daya, MS.
Graduate Research Assistant
Ph.D. Student
2026–Present
Email: GNDaya@MDAnderson.org
Gulzar is a Ph.D. student leading a systems biology project that integrates clinical trial data and experimental models with scRNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and microbiome profiling to develop 3D computational models of the bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma. Her work aims to define mechanisms of minimal residual disease, therapy resistance and relapse.
Clinical Trials Team
Claudia Morales de Partovi
Manager, Clinical Protocol Administration
2011–Present
Phone: 713-792-4888
Email: CMMorales@MDAnderson.org
Claudia manages clinical protocol administration and plans, supports and oversees protocol operations, directly impacting research protocols and the patients enrolled in them. She contributes to departmental clinical research activities by developing effective processes and innovative solutions across study activation, data collection, personnel and sample management, and by supporting regulatory workflows and nursing/APP team operations.
Jasper Olsem
Supervisor, Clinical Studies
2008–Present
Phone: 713-563-6597
Email: JBolsem@MDAnderson.org
Jasper oversees administrative management of the Orlowski Lab Clinical Trials Team.
Laly Philip
Supervisor, Clinical Studies
2019 –Present
Tel: 713-794-3926
Email: LPhilip2@MDAnderson.org
Laly oversees administrative management of the Orlowski Lab Clinical Trials Team.
Rebecca Lu
Manager, Advance Practice Provider
2015–Present
Tel: 713-294-1119
Email: RLu@MDAnderson.org
Rebecca manages the APP/RN research team, overseeing trial coordination, operations and staff development.
Christy Ann Allen
Physician Assistant
2022–Present
Tel: 713-792-2860
Email: CAllen6@MDAnderson.org
Christy coordinates patient screening and enrollment, organizes study visits, collects and maintains clinical research data and ensures adherence to regulatory and protocol requirements. She collaborates with the clinical team to support successful trial execution and deliver high-quality care to multiple myeloma patients.
Inez A. Serrano
Physician Assistant
2025–Present
Tel: 346-723-6645
Email: IASerrano@MDAnderson.org
Inez manages and coordinates clinical trials with a focus on overseeing that research studies are conducted in compliance with regulatory requirements and study protocols. She coordinates patient enrollment and screening, scheduling study visits, collecting and documenting clinical data and maintaining accurate records.
Jisha A. Samuel
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
2020–Present
Tel: 832-517-4523
Email: JASamuel1@MDAnderson.org
Jisha works as a clinical study coordinator with a primary focus on CAR T and bispecific clinical trials. She manages study start-up, patient enrollment, visit coordination and protocol-based data documentation and management. She also works collaboratively with other members of the team, sponsors, monitors and regulatory staff to ensure smooth trial operations.
Kim Rankin
Senior Coordinator, Clinical Studies
2018–Present
Tel: 713-553-8289
Email: KARankin@MDAnderson.org
Kim assists with patient screening for clinical trial eligibility and reviews coverage analysis for new studies and amendments to assist the research team with budget development.
Amishi Vora
Senior Coordinator, Clinical Studies
2014–Present
Tel: 832-750-1555
Email: AUVora@MDAnderson.org
Amishi manages complex multi-center, multi-department clinical trials from Phases 1–4. Her focus is to ensure rigorous adherence to protocols and maintaining high standards of regulatory compliance across all trials she oversees.
Astrid Denisse Murga
Senior Coordinator, Clinical Studies
2025–Present
Tel: 832-258-9696
Email: ADMurga@MDAnderson.org
Astrid oversees clinical trials for the Orlowski Lab Clinical Trials Team.
Johana Roman
Coordinator, Clinical Studies
2025–Present
Tel: 713-792-0404
Email: JRoman@MDAnderson.org
Johana focuses on coordinating clinical trials, supporting patients throughout the research process and ensuring protocol compliance.
XiaoJiao Huo
Senior Coordinator, Research Data
2022–Present
Tel: 713-792-8476
Email: XHuo@MDAnderson.org
XiaoJiao oversees data management for the CARsgen clinical trial to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Cynthia B. Alas
Senior Coordinator, Research Data
2023–Present
Tel: 713-792-7103
Email: CBAlas@MDAnderson.org
Cynthia oversees data management for active clinical trials. She leads the collection, review and entry of clinical trial data into electronic data capture systems, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Atlacatl Fernandez Pineda
Coordinator, Research Data
2025–Present
Email: AFernandez8@MDAnderson.org
Atlacatl works on the SWITCH study to enter data and collaborate on project reports as requested.
Jacqueline Reyes
Coordinator, Clinical Studies
2025–Present
Tel: 713-745-7742
Email: JReyes11@MDAnderson.org
Jacqueline ensures accurate data entry, addresses study queries to maintain data integrity and collects and maintains comprehensive study documentation to support efficient data workflows for IND reports, publications, monitoring visits and internal audits. In addition, she also serves as a liaison between sponsors and external research teams to coordinate the timely collection and shipment of research samples.
Qing Miao
Senior Financial Analyst
2008–Present
Email: QMiao@MDAnderson.org
Qing oversees all aspects of the Orlowski Lab Clinical Trials Team.
Anu Jose
Associate Financial Analyst
2025–Present
Email: AJose2@MDAnderson.org
Anu assists with reconciling study charges with the coverage determination and approved study budgets to ensure billing accuracy. She manages AR aging and supports financial tracking for active studies. Additionally, she works closely with the senior financial analyst to support PI summary reports to support ongoing clinical research.
Clinic Team
Bruno Almeida Costa, M.D.
Oncology Fellow
2026–Present
Phone: 713-606-2257
Email: BACosta1@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Costa is a Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellow in the Clinical Investigator Track at UT MD Anderson, where his research focuses on T cell–redirecting immunotherapies for multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders.
Annie Zachariah, P.A.-C.
Physician Assistant
2010–Present
Phone: 713-606-5556
Email: AZachariah@MDAnderson.org
Tennille Alexander, B.S.N., R.N.
Clinical Nurse, Outpatient
2026–Present
Email: TTAlexander1@MDAnderson.org
Tennile participates in assessing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating the delivery of safe and effective patient and family care utilizing evidence-based and empirical outcome measurements.
David Opone, B.S.N.
Patient Services Coordinator
Email: DOpone@MDAnderson.org
Maria Gomez
Medical Assistant
Email: MDGomez1@MDAnderson.org
Myeloma Tissue Bank Team
Maria Acevedo-Calado, Ph.D.
Research Group Leader
2022–Present
Email: MAcevedo2@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Acevedo-Calado serves in a leadership and operational role in the Myeloma Tissue Bank (MTB) Team, overseeing coordination, processing and quality control of multiple myeloma patient specimens. She supervises plasma cell enrichment and CD138+ validation procedures, ensures adherence to study protocols and manages laboratory operations, personnel training and cross-team coordination to maintain efficiency and productivity.
Hima Bansal, Ph.D.
Senior Coordinator, Clinical Studies
2021–Present
Email: HBansal@MDAnderson.org
Dr. Bansal manages patient enrollment, sample collection and coordination across MTB research protocols. She oversees clinical data management, including scRNA-seq data sharing and clinical data requests, while ensuring regulatory compliance and smooth integration between clinical and laboratory workflows.
David Berrios Nolasco
Coordinator, Clinical Studies
2019–Present
Email: DABerrios@MDAnderson.org
David oversees MTB sample management and serves as the primary contact for sample requests. He maintains the MTB database of sample types and quantities and reviews new protocols requesting MTB resources, supporting efficient coordination and accurate documentation.
Milton Ma
Senior Research Assistant
2021–Present
Email: MDMa@MDAnderson.org
Milton supports laboratory operations and specimen processing at MTB. He maintains the database of processed samples, tracks lab expenses, manages inventory and supply orders and trains new lab members to ensure efficient, standardized workflows.
Britney Turcios
Research Assistant I
2025–Present
Email: BATurcios@MDAnderson.org
Britney supports specimen processing for banking and scRNA-seq studies at the MTB. She assists with plasma cell enrichment, sample handling and quality control, contributing to efficient workflows and high laboratory standards as one of the newest team members.
Janelle Sanchez
Research Assistant I
2024–Present
Email: JSanchez14@MDAnderson.org
Janelle is part of the on-site clinical team, responsible for patient consent, placing research orders, coordinating daily sponsor sample shipments and ensuring timely delivery of specimens to the MTB. She supports smooth sample flow and integration between clinical and laboratory operations.
Juan Mediola
Research Assistant I
2024–Present
Email: JMMendiola@MDAnderson.org
Juan supports on-site clinical research operations, assisting with patient consent, research orders and daily sample shipments. He ensures timely delivery of specimens to the MTB and helps maintain efficient workflows and accurate documentation across multiple myeloma studies.