Highlighted Researcher: Carmelo Blanquicett

What is your professional background? 
I obtained my undergraduate degree in biological sciences and chemistry from Florida International University in Miami. I attended medical school at Meharry Medical College. During medical school, at Vanderbilt University, I employed bioinformatics tools under Dr. Josh Denny to attempt to predict which patients would be susceptible to developing heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. I received my PhD from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where I also completed my residency in Internal Medicine. For my dissertation research, I conducted pharmacogenomic and molecular oncology studies, and I completed my post-doctoral, as well as my clinical fellowship, training at Emory.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor? 
I’m in the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics, and I’m fortunate to have more than one mentor. My mentors are Dr. Jonathon Cohen, Department of Hematology and Oncology, and Dr. Ted Johnson, Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important? 
I have a special interest, and I’m sub-specializing in geriatric oncology; my current research focus is on determining variables of treatment response and toxicity in older adults with cancer. I also have a background in tumor molecular profiling. The ultimate objective is to better identify those patients who would benefit from chemotherapy treatment and those who would be at risk for severe toxicities.

What do you like most about Emory? 
I feel that Emory’s unparalleled, supportive, and collaborative environment makes it the ideal setting for investigation and for the pursuit of one’s career interests. From my days as a post-doc, where I was able to work with outstanding investigators, such as those comprising Dr. Guidot’s team, to my appointment as a clinical trainee where I interacted with excellent, supportive attendings, such as Drs. Saiyed, Mirk, and Cartwright, and currently, as junior faculty, the encouragement from peers and the support and help from my present mentors is unlike anywhere else.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like road trips, travel, cooking, and eating (do more eating than cooking, unfortunately), and especially like road trips to food destinations. I would like to consider myself as a “foodie,” but I think that connotes sophistication, which immediately disqualifies me. I’m also a reservist for the U.S. Air Force and find opportunities to serve and do medical missions to be highly-gratifying spare time activities.

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Emory Department of Medicine
The Department of Medicine, part of Emory University's School of Medicine, promotes excellence in education, patient care, and clinical and basic research.

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