Transfusion medicine has been a key area of research at the intersection of immunology, data science, and public health response. My work in this domain spans immunologic profiling, therapeutic evaluation, transfusion safety, and hospital stewardship—addressing critical gaps in transfusion practice during both routine care and emergent health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donor Antibody Characterization and Immunologic Precision: In collaboration with the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center and the Mount Sinai Health System, I contributed to a study evaluating neutralizing antibody titers in COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) donors. The analysis used live-virus and pseudovirus assays to reveal broad inter-donor variability in antibody potency, informing donor selection and optimizing therapeutic efficacy (Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2021). These findings established a framework for immunologic stratification of CCP units based on titer thresholds.
Therapeutic Evaluation of Convalescent Plasma: As part of a large clinical investigation during the early COVID-19 response, we assessed the therapeutic impact of CCP in hospitalized patients with severe disease. Using propensity score–matched controls, the study demonstrated a significant survival benefit when high-titer plasma was administered within 72 hours of admission (Nature Medicine, 2020). This work supported early therapeutic intervention and contributed to national guidance on the use of CCP in pandemic response.
Transfusion Safety and Reaction Surveillance: To evaluate adverse events associated with CCP, I led a retrospective analysis across the Mount Sinai Health System. Leveraging structured transfusion reaction documentation, the study identified increased rates of allergic and febrile non-hemolytic reactions in CCP recipients relative to conventional plasma (Transfusion, 2020). These findings informed local clinical protocols and contributed to broader transfusion safety surveillance during emergency use periods.
Hospital Stewardship and Pediatric Blood Use: In a separate initiative, I contributed to a multi-institutional evaluation of O-negative red blood cell utilization in pediatric care. The study revealed substantial variation across hospitals and highlighted opportunities for standardized stewardship and improved inventory management (Transfusion, 2025). This work informed policy development and operational guidance for pediatric transfusion practices.
Together, these efforts reflect a systems-level approach to transfusion medicine—leveraging immunologic profiling, data science, and public health collaboration to improve safety, precision, and preparedness in transfusion care.
