Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar is a distinguished leader in the field of hematologic malignancies and plasma cell disorders at the forefront of myeloma research. He holds the prestigious Edward W. and Betty Knight Scripps Professorship of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he serves as Chair of the Mayo Clinic Myeloma, Amyloidosis, and Dysproteinemia Group. Following his MBBS from Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, he completed residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and pursued specialized Fellowship training in Hematology & Medical Oncology at Mayo Clinic. His career trajectory has been marked by significant leadership positions that have positioned him as a global authority on plasma cell disorders.
Dr. Rajkumar's pioneering clinical research has fundamentally transformed the treatment landscape for multiple myeloma through his role as principal investigator on several landmark clinical trials. He spearheaded the pivotal trials that led to the regulatory approval of thalidomide for myeloma treatment in the United States, establishing a new standard of care that has benefited countless patients worldwide. His multi-faceted research program encompasses clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and laboratory investigations, with particular focus on biomarkers for diagnosis, novel therapeutic approaches, and understanding racial disparities in myeloma outcomes. With extensive publication record in myeloma and related plasma cell disorders, his work on the epidemiology and progression of monoclonal gammopathies has provided critical insights that continue to shape clinical practice and research directions in the field.
As Editor-in-Chief of Blood Cancer Journal and Chair of the Myeloma Committee for ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, Dr. Rajkumar plays a pivotal role in shaping the global research agenda for plasma cell disorders. He serves as Co-Chair of the American Society of Hematology and International Myeloma Working Group, while also contributing his expertise to the NCI's Myeloma Steering Committee and the International Myeloma Foundation's board of directors. His leadership extends to mentoring the next generation of hematologists and oncologists, while his ongoing large-scale epidemiological studies continue to investigate the prevalence and progression of monoclonal gammopathies across diverse populations. Through his continued research into novel agents and angiogenesis in plasma cell disorders, Dr. Rajkumar remains at the cutting edge of efforts to improve outcomes for patients with myeloma and related conditions.
