NYU Langone Names Pediatric Oncologist and Lymphoma Survivor Dr. Lisa Roth as New Division Director

Renowned Pediatric Oncologist and Lymphoma Survivor, Dr. Lisa G. Roth, Assumes Leadership at NYU Langone Health's Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division

In a significant advancement for pediatric cancer care and research, Lisa G. Roth, MD, a nationally acclaimed pediatric oncologist, leading physician-scientist, and lymphoma survivor, has been appointed as the director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital and Perlmutter Cancer Center, part of NYU Langone Health. This appointment marks Dr. Roth's return to NYU Langone, where she originally trained as a medical student, bringing with her a wealth of clinical expertise and pioneering research focus.

Dr. Roth's professional journey is distinguished by her dual perspective as both a patient and a provider, an experience that uniquely informs her holistic approach to cancer care. Her personal encounter with lymphoma has deepened her commitment to treating not just the disease but the patient as a whole. This patient-centered philosophy resonates in her leadership style and clinical practice, emphasizing comprehensive care that addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by children, adolescents, and young adults undergoing cancer treatment.

Specializing in lymphomas, which encompass a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies affecting the immune system, Dr. Roth's research zeroes in on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying pediatric lymphoma subtypes, including Hodgkin lymphoma and its rarer variants. Leveraging funding from the National Institutes of Health, her laboratory dissects the pathobiology of these malignancies, aiming to identify molecular drivers that can serve as precision targets for innovative therapies. This translational research bridges laboratory discoveries directly to clinical application, fostering personalized treatment modalities with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.

Throughout her tenure at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital prior to joining NYU Langone, Dr. Roth established herself as a pioneering force in the clinical and investigational landscape of lymphoma care for pediatric and young adult populations. She spearheaded and contributed to national clinical trials under the auspices of the Children's Oncology Group, focusing on refining therapeutic protocols and enhancing survivorship outcomes. These trials emphasize not only maximal disease control but also the amelioration of long-term adverse effects, a critical consideration in pediatric oncology.

In her new capacity at NYU Langone Health, Dr. Roth will oversee the clinical, research, and educational activities within the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. She intends to expand the division's capabilities in delivering cutting-edge treatments, including immunotherapies and targeted molecular agents, while increasing patient access to advanced clinical trials. Collaborating closely with Gabriel A. Robbins, MD, medical director of the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Dr. Roth will champion multidisciplinary care models integrating oncology, hematology, pathology, and supportive care disciplines.

Dr. Roth's leadership arrives at a critical juncture as pediatric oncology navigates the complexities of integrating molecular diagnostics and novel therapeutics into standard care. She aims to harness the full spectrum of 'omics' technologies and biomarker-driven studies to tailor therapies according to individual tumor biology, thereby maximizing precision medicine's promise for young patients with lymphoma. Her vision encompasses both robust bench-to-bedside research pipelines and comprehensive psychosocial support for patients and their families.