James Palis

James Palis, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. His research focuses on the ontogeny of the mammalian hematopoietic system, erythroid lineage differentiation, and the response to ionizing radiation.

• Postdoctoral training at University of Rochester (1984-1988)
• M.D. from University of Rochester (1981)
• BA in Biology and Hellenic Studies (1975)

Research spans four key areas: 1) Hematopoietic Ontogeny (yolk sac and liver hematopoiesis), 2) Erythroid Differentiation (globin switching, membrane maturation), 3) Erythroid Self-Renewal (Bmi-1 regulation, ex vivo blood production), and 4) Radiation Response (erythroid/megakaryocyte sensitivity, cytokine mitigation strategies).

Recent publications (2022-2025) highlight proteomic transitions in erythroid maturation, DNA damage tolerance mechanisms, and SDF-1/interleukin signaling in hematopoietic recovery. His work utilizes mouse models and human pluripotent stem cells to explore therapeutic applications in bone marrow failure and radiation injury.

Scientific recognition includes the Donald Metcalf Award (2022), Ruth Lawrence Award (2021), and Davey Memorial Award (2015).

• Lab Members: Kathleen McGrath (Research Associate Professor), Paul Kingsley (Research Assistant Professor), Anne Koniski (Senior Technical Associate), and trainees
• Email: James_Palis@urmc.rochester.edu