Chapter 04: Early Research on Stem Cells and Erythropoietin

Dr. Alexanian explains how he came to MD Anderson in 1964, then then talks about the evolution of his research, beginning with his experiences working on stem-cell kinetics while working with Dr. Laszlo Lajtha when he was on fellowship in Manchester, England. This focus enabled him to make the move to his second research fellowship in Seattle, where he worked with Dr. Clement Finch, a specialist in red cells, who taught him to focus on disease from a clinical perspective. Dr. Alexanian explains the skills he learned from these two mentors. He also notes that his experience enabled him to apply for grants for his own projects, and initiated work on erythropoietin. He describes his research and notes that he was the first person to measure normal levels of this hormone in human urine.https://openworks.mdanderson.org/mchv_interviewchapters/1093/thumbnail.jp