Michael D. Keller, MD, named as Inaugural Professor of Precision Medicine - Children's National

Children's National Hospital named Michael D. Keller, MD, as the inaugural Professor of Precision Medicine.

Dr. Keller, a pediatric immunologist, directs the Translational Research Laboratory within the Center for Cancer and Immunology Research (CCIR). He also leads the Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders.

A generous gift from the Indian Paintbrush Foundation endowed this new professorship.

The big picture:

Dr. Keller joins a distinguished group of Children's National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Altogether, generous donors have funded 52 professorships at the hospital.

Professorships support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families. They foster discoveries and innovations. They honor the recipient's achievements and the donor's commitment to advancing knowledge.

Why it matters:

Dr. Keller's research focuses on adoptive T-cell therapies for treating infections in immunocompromised patients. He seeks to improve outcomes for children with primary immunodeficiency disorders and those undergoing bone marrow transplants for cancer. He leads several Phase I-II studies of virus-specific T-cell therapies.

Dr. Keller has authored many peer-reviewed articles and helped shape guidelines on the treatment and diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency disorders. He is a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; the Clinical Immunology Society; the European Society of Immunodeficiency and the Primary Immunodeficiency Treatment Consortium.

"This professorship will amplify Dr. Keller's pioneering work, which promises to transform care for children with immunodeficiencies," says Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer. Dr. Bollard leads the Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy (CETI) Program and holds the Dr. Robert J. and Florence T. Bosworth Distinguished Professorship in Cancer and Transplantation Biology Research.

Moving the field forward:

The Indian Paintbrush Foundation's support enabled Children's National to establish the professorship. Endowment funds will help Dr. Keller and future chairholders launch bold precision medicine initiatives. Targeted diagnostics and therapies will deliver maximum health benefits with minimal side effects.

"The Indian Paintbrush Foundation's deep commitment to the well-being of children and families will drive our work to personalize treatment and expand access to care," says Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Kuppermann directs the Children's National Research Institute and holds the Fight For Children Distinguished Chair of Academic Medicine.