Michael G. Kharas

Michael G. Kharas is a Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine's Pharmacology Graduate Program and an Investigator at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Molecular Pharmacology Program. His research focuses on RNA regulators in hematopoietic stem cells and leukemia pathogenesis, particularly Musashi-2 and m6A methylation mechanisms.

Dr. Kharas investigates how post-transcriptional RNA regulation affects symmetric/asymmetric cell division balance in HSCs and leukemic stem cells. His lab develops small molecules targeting RNA-binding proteins and studies metabolic adaptations in leukemia, including fructose utilization and serine synthesis pathways. Current projects explore RNA methylation, chromatin regulation, and screening approaches for self-renewal modulation.

His publications reveal trends in RNA biology, epigenetics, and leukemic stem cell targeting. Key subfields include m6A-dependent differentiation control, Musashi-2 networks, metabolic dependencies, chromatin maintenance, and therapeutic strategies against RNA regulators.

• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Career Development Award
• Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation ‘A’ Award
• American Society of Hematology Junior Faculty Scholar Award
• Kimmel and V-Scholar Awards
• Louis V. Gerstner Young Investigator Award

As lab head, he mentors researchers and collaborates across institutions. His work spans basic HSC biology, translational leukemia models, and drug discovery platforms targeting RNA-protein interactions.