Michael D Bern, MD, PhD

Instructor in Medicine

Address:
Division of Oncology
Mail Stop 8007-0057-06
Washington University
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

Research

Dr. Bern studies mechanisms of therapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Approximately 25% of AML patients do not go into a remission with standard-of-care intensive induction chemotherapy. These “Primary-Refractory” patients have limited treatment options and represent an area of unmet clinical need. Dr. Bern’s research takes advantage of multi-omic approaches to characterize the molecular and immune landscape of Primary-Refractory AML. Mouse modeling is being used to define mechanisms driving chemoresistance and to identify new potential drug targets. The long-term goal of these studies is to develop novel therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes for patients with Primary-Refractory AML.

Profiles (publications)

Biosketch

Education

06/2026-07/2022: Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP), Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
06/2022-06/2020: Internal Medicine Internship and Residency, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
05/2020-08/2012: MD/PhD (Immunology), Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
05/2011-08/2007: BS in Physics (summa cum laude), Duke University, Durham, NC

Academic Positions & Employment

present-2026: Instructor in Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Professional Licensures and Certifications

Licenses

present-2023: Medical License Number 2023018809, MO, active

Certifications

present-2023: Board Certified in Internal Medicine (ABIM)

Honors & Awards

2026: Leukemia SPORE Career Enhancement Program Award
2026: Hanna Jean Khoury Outstanding Graduate Award, Washington University Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
06/2028-07/2025: Career Development Program Fellow, Blood Cancer United
12/2025: American Society of Hematology Abstract Achievement Award
2020: David M. Kipnis Award in Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
2019: Dr. William A. Rubenstein Award in Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Professional Societies

Phi Beta Kappa
American Society of Hematology
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy