Michael Verneris

Dr. Michael Verneris is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, specializing in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation. He serves as Director of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, holds The Barton Family Endowed Chair of Bone Marrow Transplant, and is Co-Director of the Tumor Host Interactions Program at the Colorado Cancer Center.

Dr. Verneris completed his medical education at Dartmouth Medical School (1992), following undergraduate studies at Syracuse University (NY) (1987). His clinical training includes an internship and residency at Children's National Medical Center/George Washington University Program (1992-1995), with fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Stanford Hospital and Clinics Program (1998).

Dr. Verneris leads a research laboratory focused on developing genetically modified T cells, specifically CAR T cells, to effectively target solid tumors. His work aims to enhance CAR T cell homing, survival, and function within the tumor microenvironment to overcome key barriers to efficacy. His clinical interests center on using the immune system to treat cancer through bone marrow transplantation and cellular immunotherapy, with particular emphasis on leukemia treatment.

Dr. Verneris's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on CAR T cell therapies for pediatric cancers, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia and solid tumors like sarcoma. His work spans basic science investigations of T cell biology to clinical trials evaluating novel cellular therapies and transplantation approaches. A notable trend in his recent work examines the intersection of socioeconomic factors and clinical outcomes in transplantation.

Dr. Verneris holds The Barton Family Endowed Chair of Bone Marrow Transplant, recognizing his significant contributions to the field. His research has been supported by numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies focused on advancing cellular immunotherapies and improving outcomes for pediatric cancer patients.

As Director of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Dr. Verneris leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to advancing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular immunotherapies for children with cancer. His laboratory works closely with the Gates Institute, where he serves as Translational Sciences Lead, to bridge basic science discoveries with clinical applications in pediatric oncology.