ASTCT Board Member Spotlight: Claudio G. Brunstein, MD

Our latest board member spotlight features Claudio G. Brunstein, MD, vice chair of the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Institute. Originally from Brazil, Dr. Brunstein has become an internationally recognized leader in hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy, advancing research in alternative donor transplantation, graft-versus-host disease prevention, adoptive cellular therapies, and immunotherapy approaches to improve transplant outcomes. A recipient of the ASTCT New Investigator Award in 2009, he has also held key leadership roles within the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) while maintaining a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of clinicians and investigators. In this Q&A, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, the impact of ASTCT on his professional journey, and his goals as a newly elected ASTCT Director at Large.

NUCLEUS: What inspired you to pursue a career as a physician-scientist advancing cellular and transplantation therapies?  

Claudio G. Brunstein, MD (CB): My interest in academics and clinical research developed during medical school and my early training. At the beginning of my fellowship, I was exposed to BMT at the University of Minnesota and found it fascinating.

We had all these complicated patients and most of them were participating in clinical investigations. Although they were doing okay, it was clear that there was a lot of room for improvement. On top of that, I had phenomenal role models and numerous opportunities that made it easy for me to engage with clinical and translational research programs.

NUCLEUS: What motivated you to engage with ASTCT, and how has that involvement supported your work in research and patient care?

CB: ASTCT has been an important part of my professional journey from the beginning of my career. In 2009, I was one of the recipients of what was then the ASBMT New Investigator Award, which helped support my early development as a clinical and translational investigator.

Since then, I have remained engaged with the Society whenever opportunities arise, including reviewing abstracts, helping organize the annual meeting, reviewing applications for the New Investigator Award, engaging with the Special Interest Group (SIG) in cord blood transplantation, and, more recently, serving as a member of the Board of Directors. ASTCT is a true grassroots organization where every member can participate, contribute, and feel welcome.

NUCLEUS: What are you most looking forward to in your new role as Director at Large?  

CB: I really look forward to working with the Board of Directors and the BMT community in shaping the role of ASTCT in the near and distant future. Our field is changing very quickly, and having been part of it for so many years, it gives you a little perspective when engaging old and new opportunities.

NUCLEUS: What are three of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the course of your research career?  

CB: First, the core of any research effort is to improve the outcomes of our patients by reducing toxicity, increasing the chance of cure, and improving survival and quality of life.

Second, I learned that whether you are working within our own organization or at the national level, research in transplant and cellular therapy is a team sport. We depend on our colleagues and support staff to advance the research field.

Third, it is important to have persistent curiosity and a willingness to learn and do things.

NUCLEUS: Outside of your work, what's something you enjoy doing that might surprise your colleagues or ASTCT members?  

CB: I grew up in southern Brazil and spent much of my time at the beach, surfing—even during the winter. In early adulthood, I also became a certified glider pilot. Today, I most enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, watching movies, and traveling.