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Shastri Lab

Research Areas

At the Shastri Translational Research Lab, we are committed to advancing the understanding and treatment of hematopoietic diseases, with a particular focus on myeloid malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Our research encompasses several interrelated domains.

Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell (HSPC) Targeting Therapeutics

Recent research suggests that myeloid malignancies originate from leukemic stem cells, and their progression is driven by the persistence and survival of these cells. We are developing innovative therapies targeting HSPCs in myeloid malignancies, focusing on targeting Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. STAT3 is a key regulator that is overexpressed in hematological malignancies and is associated with reduced overall survival. In our lab, we have targeted STAT3 using several novel agents, including antisense oligonucleotides and degraders, in leukemic cell lines, generating promising preclinical data. We aim to translate these findings into early phase clinical trials. 

Interactions of STAT3 in HSPCs 

We are investigating how STAT3 interacts with apoptosis inhibitors such as BCL2, MCL1 in HSPCs, as well as how these interactions are influenced by inflammatory environment in the bone marrow niche. This work could reveal novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance in myeloid malignancies. 

Aging-Related Clonal Hematopoiesis (CH) 

In collaboration with Dr. Millman and her team, we are studying a longevity cohort enriched for centenarians. This research aims to uncover how centenarians resist age-related diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s. Specifically, we are examining the frequency and type of CH mutations in these individuals and investigating whether longevity provides protection against harmful CH mutations. 

The Effect of Air Quality and Other Environmental Health Hazards on Myeloid Malignancies 

We analyze large datasets to understand differences in the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of myeloid malignancies. By identifying social, genetic, and environmental factors, specifically differences in air quality, we aim to develop strategies to effect policy change and improve cancer patient outcomes across the world.

More Research

Lab Announcements

Saneisha Roberts, MD, MPH, Medical Fellow, is joining the Shastri Lab in September 2026.
 

Salman Usmani, PhD, won the Postdoctoral Lightning Round Competition at the MECCC 2025 Annual Scientific Retreat, recognizing excellence in scientific presentation and research impact. Presented Aging-Related Clonal Hematopoiesis (CH) research at the ASH Annual Meeting 2025 in Orlando, Florida, where it received an Abstract Achievement Award, and the abstract was published in Blood.
 

Mariapia Riso, MS, successfully passed the qualifying exam and received M.S. degree from Einstein on May 2025. And awarded the Cellular and Molecular Biology and Genetics (CMBG) training grant (ID#T32GM145438)
 

Prachiben Patel, MS, was awarded 2025–26 Ph.D. Student Stipend Fund Award through the Bridge Funding Pathway.
 

Michael Wysota, MD, published a paper in Blood Cancer Journal about the association between air pollution and multiple myeloma mortality. Read the news brief on the Montefiore Einstein newsroom.
 

Salman Usmani, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, joined the Shastri Lab in April 2025.
 

Mariapia Riso, MS, a second-year Ph.D. student in our lab, published a first-author paper, “Binding mode–guided development of high-performance antibodies targeting site-specific posttranslational modifications.” 2024 Dec 30: 112(1)e241172012. DOI.
 

Aditi Shastri, MD, was awarded a second R01 from the Aging Institute with Dr. Sofiya Milman (MPI), entitled “Clonal Hematopoiesis in Exceptional Longevity,” as well as pilot funding from the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), for the project “Understanding the Inflammatory Signature for HIV Associated Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Clonal Hematopoiesis.”
 

Samarpana Chakraborty, PhD, was awarded the Ceriale Postdoctoral Fellowship Award. 
 

Publications

  1. Murli H, Alam S, Mesler E, Shastri A. Linking Air Pollution and Hematologic Malignancies: From Epidemiology to Molecular Mechanisms. Curr Hematol Malig Rep. 2026 Aug 11;21(1):18. doi: 10.1007/s11899-026-00785-2. PMID: 42579055; PMCID: PMC13461865.
  2. Riso M, Patel PP, Zhang J, Shastri A, Chakraborty S. Colony-Forming Unit Assay Adapted For Patient-Derived Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. J Vis Exp. 2026 Jun 26;(232). doi: 10.3791/71526. PMID: 42441565.
  3. Chakraborty S, Morganti C, Zaldana K, Rivera Pena B, Zhang H, Verma D, Gitego N, Ma F, Aluri S, Pradhan K, Gordon-Mitchell S, Mantzaris I, Goldfinger M, Feldman E, Gritsman K, Shi Y, Hubner S, Qiu YH, Brown BD, Khasawneh A, Skwarska A, de Camargo Magalhães ES, Verma A, Konopleva M, Tabe Y, Gavathiotis E, Colla S, Gollob J, Dey J, Kornblau SM, Koralov SB, Ito K, Shastri A. A STAT3 degrader demonstrates efficacy in venetoclax resistant acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia. 2026 Feb 17. doi: 10.1038/s41375-026-02883-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41703028.
  4. Rivera-Peña B, Chakraborty S, Shi Y, Zhang H, Desai SR, Patel PP, Sun Y, Zhao R, Choudhary G, Mitchell SG, Pradhan K, Zhang J, Zhang X, Fu B, Lopez R, Tošić I, Aluri S, Schinke C, Wysota M, King Z, Varshavsky A, Feld J, Carbajal M, Ramachandra N, Verma A, Goldfinger M, Sidoli S, Frank DA, Saunthararajah Y, Shastri A. Pyrimethamine overcomes resistance to hypomethylating agents by reducing de novo pyrimidine synthesis. Exp Hematol. 2026 Jan 31:105382. doi: 10.1016/j.exphem.2026.105382. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41628794.
  5. Verma M, Davidsohn MP, Arends CM, Verma D, Sahu S, Pradhan K, Dehghani SS, Murli H, Jasra S, Aggarwal RK, Zhang H, Wysota M, Hosgood D, Verma A, Jaiswal S, Zou Y, Shastri A. Environmental Pollution Triggers Inflammation In Vivo and is Associated With Higher Risk MDS in an Urban Cohort. Am J Hematol. 2026 Feb;101(2):346-349. doi: 10.1002/ajh.70132. Epub 2025 Nov 11. PMID: 41215735.
  6. Verma D, Zeig-Owens R, Goldfarb DG, Kravets L, Pradhan K, Rockwell B, Sahu S, Kelly S, Giricz O, Jasra S, Zou Y, Prophete C, Torres LS, Aluri S, Chakraborty S, Kumari R, Gordon-Mitchell S, Wang J, Silver AJ, South TM, Olmstead SD, Hall CB, Sidoli S, Bender R, Landgren O, Greenberger LM, Wickrema A, Madireddy A, Shastri A, Pietras EM, LaFave LM, Nolan A, Cohen MD, Savona MR, Steidl U, Prezant DJ, Verma A. Elevated Clonal Hematopoiesis in 9/11 First Responders Has Distinct Age-related Patterns and Relies on IL1RAP for Clonal Expansion. Cancer Discov. 2025 Dec 2;15(12):2468-2484. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-1590. PMID: 41031953.
  7. Verma T, Sahu S, Pradhan K, Aggarwal R, Gordon-Mitchell S, Jasra S, Dehghani SS, Zhang H, Spodek M, Mantzaris I, Konopleva M, Goldfinger M, Verma A, Hosgood D, Verma D, Shastri A, Zou Y. Cigarette smoking is associated with worse prognosis in myelodysplastic syndromes and hematopoietic alterations in murine models. Leuk Lymphoma. 2025 Oct;66(10):1964-1968. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2025.2513675. Epub 2025 Jun 9. PMID: 40488778.

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