Indian Origin Doctor Nirali Shah to Lead Pediatric Gene Therapy at University of Maryland

Indian origin pediatric oncologist Dr. Nirali N. Shah has been appointed professor and director of the Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Cell and Gene Therapy Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She will also serve as associate director for translational research at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and begin her new roles in September.

Shah currently leads the Pediatric Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute’s Hematologic Malignancies Section and is widely recognized for advancing CAR T cell therapy for children and young adults with treatment resistant leukemia. Her work includes leading the development of CD22 CAR T cell therapy, along with multiple clinical trials focused on treatment development and patient outcomes.

University leaders said her recruitment reflects the institution’s commitment to expanding pediatric care and innovation, following a 50 million dollar gift from philanthropist Tom Golisano in 2025. Shah has authored more than 150 peer reviewed papers and has been cited more than 19,000 times.

Her honors include the 2025 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and the 2026 Outstanding New Investigator Award from the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy.