Omar S. Aljitawi

Omar S. Aljitawi is a Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, affiliated with the Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology. He leads the Hematology and Transplantation Lab, focusing on umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cell transplantation and its optimization through innovative approaches.

• Education: MBBS from University of Jordan
• Training: Fellowship in Blood & Marrow Transplantation (City of Hope), Hematology/Oncology (University of Kansas), and Residency in Internal Medicine (East Tennessee State University)

Research Focus: Dr. Aljitawi investigates the interaction between hematopoietic stem cells and their microenvironment, particularly the role of erythropoietin (EPO) signaling in UCB CD34+ cell homing. His lab developed 3D stromal co-culture models and decellularized Wharton's jelly matrices to study leukemia/myeloma biology and tissue regenerative applications.

Awards & Recognition:

• Faculty Travel Awards (2011, 2014)
• Best Abstract Award (2010)
• Eisemann Fellowship (2006)
• Nominee for Caduceus Award (2004)

Key Contributions: Pioneering use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce systemic EPO and enhance UCB engraftment (published in Blood), developing ECM-based leukemia models for drug testing, and advancing Wharton's jelly decellularization for tissue engineering. His work bridges translational research and clinical trial implementation in blood cancer therapies.