William R. Drobyski

Dr. William R. Drobyski is a Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Pediatrics, and Microbiology & Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), where he has been a faculty member since 1990. He serves as Scientific Director of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program and Co-Leader of the Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Program at the MCW Cancer Center. His research focuses on transplantation immunology, particularly the immunobiology of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the pathophysiology of graft versus host disease (GVHD).

• Medical Degree: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (1983)

Research in the Drobyski Laboratory employs pre-clinical murine models and advanced techniques like flow cytometry, RNA-seq, and molecular cloning to investigate inflammatory pathways in GVHD, with special emphasis on gastrointestinal tract involvement and immune-mediated neuroinflammation. The lab also prioritizes translational studies, including clinical trials with Tocilizumab, which demonstrated reduced GVHD severity in patients.

The 10 most recent publications span topics in cytokine biology (IL-23, GM-CSF, IL-6), endocannabinoid signaling, neuroinflammation, and microbiome interactions in GVHD. These works highlight his lab's focus on molecular mechanisms and clinical translation across transplantation immunology.

• Scientific Awards: Mariette C. and Philip W. Orth/Tom Anderson Endowed Chair in Oncology
• NIH R01 Grant Funding (4 active grants)

As Scientific Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program and leader of key cancer research initiatives, Dr. Drobyski oversees clinical and research operations. His lab team includes multiple research scientists and technologists working on projects related to inflammatory cytokines, immune regulation, and neuroimmune pathways in GVHD.