David A. Russler-Germain, MD, PhD

David A. Russler-Germain, MD, PhD

Instructor

Address:
Division of Oncology
Mail Stop 8007-0029-11
Washington University
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

11th Floor Mid Campus Center (office)

Admin:
Lisa Forbush
forbushla@wustl.edu 

Clinical Interests
  • Lymphoma
Research Interests
  • Genomics
  • MRD
  • ctDNA
  • Immunotherapy
Research

My clinical and research interests focus on understanding the mechanisms that drive lymphomagenesis and using biological insights to optimize the treatment of patients with lymphoma.

In the laboratory, we take a broad range of approaches to study lymphoma biology. We use mouse models to explore how different combinations of mutations influence the development of lymphoma, as well as what processes contribute to transformation of low-grade to aggressive histologies (e.g., follicular lymphoma to diffuse large B cell lymphoma). Using lymphoma biopsy samples from patients, we conduct large genomic profiling studies to identify common and rare driver mutations, assess how mutational profiles correlate with clinical features and gene expression profiles, and better understand the tumor microenvironment.

In the clinic, I take care of patients with lymphoma and related blood cancers. I have a particular interest in follicular lymphoma, and I am leading clinical trials to bring novel immunotherapies into earlier lines of treatment for patients with this condition and other lymphomas. I also hope to advance new blood-based biomarkers in lymphoma, specifically circulating tumor DNA sequencing, to risk-stratify patients at diagnosis, predict occult or early aggressive histologic transformation, and to measure depth of treatment responses.

Profiles (publications)
WU Physician Bio

Biosketch

Education

  • 2017-2009: MD/PhD in Molecular Genetics and Genomics (MSTP), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
  • 2009-2005: BS in Biological Sciences (Honors in Molecular and Cellular Biology), Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Post-Graduate Training

  • 2019-2017: Fellow, Hematology/Oncology, PSTP, Barnes-Jewish Hospital / Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
  • 2019-2017: Intern and Resident, Internal Medicine, Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP), Barnes-Jewish Hospital / Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Board Certification

  • American Board of Internal Medicine, Certified Internal Medicine

Committees, Memberships & Teaching Roles

  • present-2019: Member, American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • present-2013: Member, American Society of Hematology
  • present-2014: Member, American Physician Scientists Association
  • 2023-2020: Recruitment Fellow Leader, Washington University School of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
  • 2015-2014: Student Representative, Washington University School of Medicine Learning Climate Advisory Committee
  • 2015-2013: MSTP Representative to Medical Student Government, Washington University School of Medicine
  • 2013-2014 Coordinator, Lead Author, and Site Visit Participant, Washington University School of Medicine Liaison Committee on Medical Education Student Survey
  • 2012-2011: Teaching Assistant, Washington University School of Medicine, Cell and Organ Systems: Physiology
  • 2010: Teaching Assistant, Washington University School of Medicine, Practice of Medicine: Biostatistics
  • 2007-2005: Chief Financial Officer and Webmaster, Stanford Scientific Magazine
  • 2006: Teaching Assistant , Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, Cell Physiology Course

Consulting & Advisory Relationships

  • present-2022: Grant Reviewer, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
  • present-2021: Scientific Advisor, Cartography Biosciences, Inc.

Honors & Awards

  • 2023: Hanna Khoury Outstanding Graduate Award, Washington University Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
  • 2022: Post-doctoral Fellowship Grant, Lymphoma Research Foundation
  • 2022: Young Investigator Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • 2022: Matthew Arquette Fellow Academic Achievement Award, Washington University Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
  • 2022: Annual Meeting Abstract Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology
  • 2022: Research Grant, Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation
  • 2016: Michael Seiden Fellowship, Washington University School of Medicine
  • 2009: Firestone Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, Stanford University
  • 2008: Undergraduate Research Major Award, Stanford University Department of Biology
  • 2007: Student-initiated Project Award, Stanford University Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • 2014 Joint Meeting Travel Award, American Society for Clinical Investigation / Association of American Physicians
  • 2005: Semifinalist, Intel Science Talent Search
  • 2005-2004: Semifinalist, Siemens Westinghouse Competition
  • 2004: Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, 4th Place in Category of Biochemistry

Editorial Responsibilities

  • present-2022: Ad hoc Journal Referee: Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma, & Leukemia; Journal of Clinical Oncology: Precision Oncology; Leukemia & Lymphoma; Blood Cancer Journal