Ryotaro Nakamura

Ryotaro Nakamura, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope National Medical Center's Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute. He serves as Director of the Center for Stem Cell Transplantation and holds the Jan & Mace Siegel Professorship in Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Dr. Nakamura has been at City of Hope since 2002 and has held progressively senior academic positions, including Assistant Professor (2004-2009), Associate Professor (2009-present), and Professor (2019-present).

• 1991, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, M.D.
• 1998–2001, Fellow, Hematology/Oncology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH
• 1995–1998, Resident, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
• 1993–1994, Resident and Chief Resident, Iizuka Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
• 1991–1993, Resident, Kumamoto University Hospital, Japan

Dr. Nakamura's research focuses on stem cell transplantation with particular emphasis on immune reconstitution and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). His clinical and research expertise extends to leukemia and bone marrow failure syndromes including aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and rare diseases such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and large granular lymphocyte (LGL) disease. His groundbreaking projects include development of vaccines against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and COVID-19 for transplant recipients, novel immunotherapy with bi-specific CMV-CD19CAR T cells, and new therapies for GVHD using microbiome-directed approaches.

Analysis of Dr. Nakamura's most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on improving outcomes in hematopoietic cell transplantation, particularly in myelodysplastic syndromes and GVHD management. His work spans clinical trials, vaccine development for immunocompromised patients, and innovative approaches to immunotherapy. A significant portion of his recent research addresses the intersection of transplantation and infectious disease, especially regarding CMV and COVID-19 in transplant recipients.

• The 2021 Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meeting, Best Abstract Award for a study comparing reduced intensity allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation to hypomethylating therapy in older MDS patients
• Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network Study 1102 Hope Colleague Award 2021
• 2008–2009, Tim Nesvig Lymphoma Fellowship Award
• 2000, Fellows Travel Award for the 10th Annual Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Hematology/Oncology Reviews

Dr. Nakamura has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the transplant community, serving as Co-Chair of the Chronic Leukemia Working Committee of the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research, Steering Committee member for the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Clinical Trials Network, and Director of Community or Clinical Practice of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (2024-2027). He has led national studies including NCT 02016781, a study of older adults with MDS to define the role of stem cell transplantation in this population. His work has been supported by numerous grants enabling his innovative research in cellular therapy and transplantation.

As Director of the Center for Stem Cell Transplantation at City of Hope, Dr. Nakamura leads a multidisciplinary team within the Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute. His center collaborates closely with the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, the Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, and the Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for hematologic malignancy research and treatment. Under his leadership, the center has become a national leader in innovative transplantation approaches and cellular therapies.