ASTCT 2026 President Spotlight: Margaret MacMillan, MD
In this spotlight, she shares insights into her career journey, how ASTCT has supported her growth, and what she aims to bring as president.
ASTCT: Can you share a brief overview of your career journey and what led you to specialize in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation?
Margaret MacMillan (MM): I was first exposed to bone marrow transplantation during my pediatric residency, finding it a perfect combination of my two passions – to help sick children and to learn more about the science of hematology. I worked in the hematopoiesis lab of Dr. Melvin Freedman, a hematologist and BMT physician focused on bone marrow failure during medical school. He was a major inspiration and incredible mentor as I entered the field.
There is one story I still think about often: On evening, as an intern I was called to a room to speak with a mother about her two-year-old son, who had just been diagnosed with leukemia. It was clear she was in shock and needed someone to talk to. Survival rates for children back then were not as good as they are now, so this conversation was difficult. As I left the room, I remember saying to myself how challenging it was to take care of such patients and their families and feeling unsure if I was strong enough to do so. I then turned around and locked eyes with the little boy in his crib standing up. He looked at me as if he was saying: “You can do this. You have to help me.”
That moment has stayed with me, and I feel fortunate I have the skillset needed to help these sick children.
ASTCT: How did you first become involved with ASTCT, and what role has the Society played in your professional growth?
MM: I first became involved in 2011 as faculty for the Clinical Research Training Course (CRTC), and I have served as co-chair of the course for the past nine years. Since then, I have held several leadership roles within the Society, including serving on the Board of Directors as director-at-large (2014-2017), contributing as a Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) member for the Pediatric track at the Tandem Meetings (2013-2018), co-chairing the Scientific Organizing Committee for the 2022 Tandem Meetings, and serving as an associate editor for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy since 2018.
My involvement with ASTCT has been instrumental in shaping my academic career. The Society offers exceptional opportunities for collaboration, enabling meaningful connections with colleagues across the field. This environment fosters innovation in research, advances in education, improvements in patient care, and impactful advocacy. Through these shared efforts, we are able to make a far greater collective impact on our field than any of us could achieve individually.
ASTCT: Can you share how you envision your role as ASTCT president, and what you look forward to advancing during your term?
MM: I was deeply honored to be nominated as ASTCT vice president, with the succession to serve as president. I view it as an important opportunity to advance the Society’s mission in collaboration with an exceptional team. At this stage in my career, I feel well-positioned to take on this responsibility and contribute to the organization’s continued growth and evolution as our field advances.
Building on the strong foundation established by Dr. David Porter, our immediate past president, I am particularly excited to help guide the implementation of ASTCT’s 2026-2028 strategic plan and ensure the Society continues to adapt as the transplantation and cellular therapy field progresses.
ASTCT: From your perspective, why should professionals working in transplantation and cellular therapy join ASTCT?
MM: ASTCT offers two core strengths: a highly collaborative professional network and a platform to engage with peers who share a common commitment to advancing our field of medicine.
Our Society creates meaningful opportunities across research, education, clinical excellence, and advocacy. While institutional teams are essential, ASTCT extends that network globally, enabling members to broaden their impact, accelerate innovation, and contribute more effectively to the future of transplantation and cellular therapy.
Scientific research and investment in research are crucial for the advancement of our field and commitment to patient care. ASTCT is keeping research at the forefront through events like the upcoming Joint ASTCT and EBMT Basic and Translational Scientific Meeting and our investment in young researchers through Translational Science Training Course.
ASTCT: As the field of transplantation and cellular therapy continues to evolve, what do you see as the most important opportunities or challenges for ASTCT in the years ahead?
MM: One challenge is determining where ASTCT can best serve with our evolving field of medicine especially novel indications for cell therapy and gene therapy. Determining ASTCT’s place is part of our strategic plan. What we are doing now is different from what we did five years ago, and it will be different five years from now.
We must figure out how to explore novel cell therapies and what fits into our domain. I believe we should be flexible, while staying rooted in what is best for our patients, staying focused on research, and advancing the best in education, clinical care, and advocacy.
ASTCT: Outside of your professional responsibilities, how do you like to recharge?
MM: Exercise has always been my stress relief and so has spending time outside. I live in Minnesota, but even when it is extremely cold, I always find a way to be outdoors. In Minneapolis, there are beautiful parks everywhere where I can walk my dog, go for a bike ride, or head for a swim in a lake. I also like to travel and make an effort to take bike trips all over the world.