Dr. Nimer has over 30 years of clinical, research, administrative, and leadership experience in the field of hematology-oncology and cancer. While at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, I served as the Alfred P. Sloan Chair in Cancer Research, Head of the Division of Hematologic Oncology, Vice Chairman for Faculty Development, and Chief of the Hematology Service. Since coming to the University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine and assuming the Directorship of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, I have focused on developing programs in cancer epigenetics, cancer control, and tumor biology along with establishing facilities and core services that meet the needs of the extraordinary diverse South Florida community. In July 2019, we became the only NCI designated cancer center in South Florida and the 71st such center in the U.S. As of the end of 2020, we have successfully recruited over 175 cancer physicians and researchers to UM Sylvester, to serve the over 6 million people who live in our catchment area. We continue to pursue our mission of becoming an elite cancer center that makes important contributions to the prevention of and the fight against cancer.
My laboratory has been studying the transcriptional regulation of normal and malignant hematopoiesis for decades, with the aim of understanding how the normal processes of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation are regulated and how these processes are aberrant in the myeloid malignancies. Overall, my lab has focused on defining genes that contribute to the development and progression of MDS and AML and on identifying novel ways to target hematologic cancers and make them more responsive to treatment.
As a physician-scientist, I have taken care of patients, and conducted clinical trials, for MDS patients and AML patients, for decades. This melding of clinical studies and care, with both basic laboratory and translational studies reflects the fundamental accomplishments of my career.
I have also been very fortunate to have helped train the next generation of scientists and physician-scientists and to serve on numerous external advisory boards for various NCI-designated cancer centers throughout the country. I have directed or assisted the efforts of numerous foundations including the MDS Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, and the AAMDSIF in their efforts to advance the science and clinical care of patients.;
