Catherine E. Lai MD, MPH

Dr. Catherine E. Lai, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and Physician Leader of the Leukemia Clinical Research Unit at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. A board-certified specialist in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine, she focuses on the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of acute leukemias and other myeloid malignancies in adult patients.

Dr. Lai has extensive experience in clinical research, with prior work at the National Institutes of Health and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, where she contributed to clinical trials in acute leukemia. Her research interests center on developing novel therapeutics, leading clinical trials, and improving health outcomes for patients with leukemia and related disorders.

She is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care through clear communication, patient education, and a collaborative approach to treatment planning. Dr. Lai earned her medical degree from George Washington University, completed her residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, and pursued fellowship training at the National Cancer Institute.