Elizabeth J.shpall BA, MD

Elizabeth Shpall, MD, is a nationally recognized expert in stem cell transplantation. She currently is the Director of the Cell Therapy Laboratory and Director of the Cord Blood Bank at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She also serves as Professor and Deputy Chair of the Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and holds the Howard and Lee Smith Chair in Cancer Research. Dr. Shpall's research covers a range of applications, among them: leukemia, lymphoma treatment, anti-tumor immunity enhancement and tissue repair. Many of her studies address the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation for patients.

Dr. Shpall has provided unparalleled leadership in the area of umbilical cord blood collection, banking and transplantation. Under her watch, the Cord Blood Bank at MD Anderson has collected over 55,000 cord blood units from voluntary donations since its establishment in April 2005, coordinating these efforts with several hospitals in Houston. The Stem Cell Transplant Program has transplanted more than 400 patients with cord blood using novel strategies such as ex vivo expansion of the cord blood cells before infusion, to make it work better in patients.