Uma Borate, MBBS

Uma Borate, MBBS, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology at The Ohio State University and serves as the disease group leader for the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) clinical trial group. She specializes in the treatment of MDS, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), MPN, and clonal cytopenias of unknown significance.

Dr. Borate earned her medical degree (MBBS) and went on to complete a Master of Science in Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. She then completed a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the University of Alabama. As a member of the Leukemia and Hematologic Malignancies Program at the OSUCCC – James, her research focuses on novel therapeutics for myeloid diseases, particularly the progression from cytopenia and early-stage MDS to AML. She is the principal investigator for multiple investigator-initiated clinical trials based on laboratory science, including studies evaluating novel targeted therapy combinations for myeloid malignancies. She also leads several early-phase, industry-sponsored clinical trials in MDS and AML for both newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients. Her research has been published in Nature Medicine, Oncotarget, Blood Advances, and Leukemia.

Dr. Borate established a myeloid malignancy predisposition clinic dedicated to identifying and managing patients at high risk for myeloid cancers due to hereditary germline mutations or acquired clonal cytopenias. This clinic collaborates closely with genetic counselors to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care. Additionally, she plays a key role in developing protocols for the NCI cooperative groups in MDS, AML, and the newly formed MPN group.

She is an active member of the Southwest Oncology Group, the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Association for Cancer Research. Her dedication to advancing treatments for myeloid malignancies through clinical trials and translational research underscores her commitment to improving patient outcomes and contributing to the goal of a cancer-free future. Dr. Borate joined the Blood Cancers Today editorial board in 2025 as an Associate Editor.