Richard Aplenc

Richard Aplenc is a Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics. His work focuses on pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chemotherapy-associated cardiac toxicity, and disparities in treatment outcomes. He leads translational research identifying genetic predictors of anthracycline toxicity and novel therapeutic targets via AML blast cell surfaceome characterization.

Education:

• MD: University of Virginia (1994)
• A.B.: Princeton University (1988)
• Post-Baccalaureate: University of Pennsylvania (1989)
• MSCE: University of Pennsylvania (2002)
• PhD: University of Pennsylvania (2011)

Research Focus: Combines clinical epidemiology with translational approaches to improve outcomes for AML patients. Current initiatives include CAR T-cell therapy trials targeting CD33 and CD123 antigens, as well as leadership roles in the Children’s Oncology Group AML Strategy Committee.

Collaborations: Co-Chair of the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium trial for anti-CD33 CAR therapy and Principal Investigator of a local anti-CD123 CAR trial.