Overview
Pinkal Desai MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and Assistant Attending Physician at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
After obtaining her MBBS at Byramjeejeebhoy Medical College in India in 2005, Dr. Desai obtained an MPH at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. Following her residency at Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center, she underwent fellowship training in Hematology-Medical Oncology at Providence Hospital Medical Center, serving as Chief Fellow from 2012-2013. Dr. Desai was recruited to serve in our Leukemia Program to develop a clinical practice devoted to leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). She will be developing clinical and translational research protocols and projects in the areas of leukemia, MDS and MPN.
Dr. Desai is published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention and International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics. She is the lead author and co-author on numerous WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) paper proposals and has presented abstracts at national meetings. She is a member of American Society of Hematology (ASH) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and has served on the ASCO University Committee.
Highlights
- 1
- 2Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2024
- 3Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2021
Publications
Funding
Active
7 grants- PIHT9425-23-1-0431Mutational and Aging Risk Factors for Myelodysplastic SyndromeU.S. Department of Defense · 2023–2027
- PIW81XWH-22-1-0375Clonal Hematopoiesis as a determinant for bone marrow toxicities for targeted radiation therapies in prostate cancer.U.S. Department of Defense · 2022–2027
- PIASCO 253876-01Characterizing the Impact of Clonal Hematopoiesis on Tumor Genomics and Clinical Outcomes in Solid CancersThe Asco Cancer Foundation · 2026–2027
- PIASH 260104-01Tracking clonal hematopoiesis dynamics after CAR-T using deep next-generation DNA sequencing of genes associated with myeloid and lymphoid CHIP (prelim title)American Society of Hematology Inc · 2026–2027
- MPIR01CA248747-05Pre-malignant mutation landscape and risk factors for progression to hematologic cancersNational Cancer Institute · 2021–2027
- Sub-PIR01CA260615-05Determinants Of The Racial/Ethnic Disparity In MGUS Risk: An Epidemiologic Study In 4 CohortsNational Cancer Institute · 2021–2026 · via The Regents of the University of California, Irvine
- Co-IBP 212999-01Janssen Biopharma AgreementJanssen Biotech Inc. · 2020–2025BioPharma Alliance
Completed grants (1)
- PIASH 225274-012022 ASH Hematology Opportunities for the Next-Generation of Research Scientists (HONORS) AwardAmerican Society of Hematology Inc · 2022–2024
Clinical research
Active
9 studies- PINCT06824168A Phase 2, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Trial to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Two Dose Levels of Quizartinib as Maintenance for Adult Patients With Newly Diagnosed FLT3-ITD (+) Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Complete RemissionPHASE2 · Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)Acute Myeloid Leukemia; Leukemia
- PICharacterization of Hematological Neoplasms Occurring After Exposure to Anti-MetabolitesWeill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)
- PINCT05768932A Phase 1 Study of BAL0891 as Monotherapy and in Combination With Chemotherapy or Tislelizumab in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors or Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid LeukemiaPHASE1 · SillaJen Inc · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)Advanced Solid Tumor; TNBC - Triple-Negative Breast Cancer; Gastric Cancer; Leukemia Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- PIEstablishing Clinical Algorithms for Early Detection and Prevention of Clonal Hematopoiesis and its Complications - BRANYPlus transferWeill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)
- PINCT06788691Efficacy of Luspatercept In Clonal Cytopenias of Uncertain SignificancePHASE2 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)CCUS Clonal Cytopenia of Undetermined Significance; Anemia; Leukopenia; Thrombocytopenia; Neutropenia
- PIClonal Hematopoiesis as a Determinant for Bone Marrow Toxicities for Targeted Radiation Therapies in Prostate CancerWeill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2023)
- PIA Retrospective Review Comparing Outcomes Among AML Patients Receiving Vyxeos vs. Venetoclax as Frontline TherapyWeill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2021)
- PIClonal Cytopenia(s) of Undetermined Significance International Study GroupMayo Clinic · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2021)
- PIA center-based chart review study to assess treatment outcomes of venetoclax for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemiaAbbVie Inc. · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2021)
Completed & closed trials (14)
- PINCT05641831A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Phase II Multi-Center Study of Inflammation Modification of Canakinumab to Prevent Leukemic Progression of Clonal Cytopenias of Unknown Significance (CCUS): IMPACT StudyPHASE2 · Ohio State University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)Clonal Cytopenia of Undetermined Significance
- PINCT06179511A Modular Phase I/II, Open-label, Multicenter Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Antitumor Activity of AZD9829 as Monotherapy or in Combination in Patients With CD123-Positive Hematological MalignanciesPHASE1; PHASE2 · AstraZeneca, PLC · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2026)Hematological Malignancies
- PINCT05552469A Phase 1b, Open Label, Multi-center, Dose Optimization and Dose Expansion Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of DFV890 in Adult Patients With Myeloid DiseasesPHASE1 · Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)Myeloid Diseases
- PINCT05086315An Open-label, First-in-human, Dose-escalation/Expansion Study of SAR443579 Administered as Single Agent by Intravenous Infusion in Adult and Pediatric Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (R/R AML), B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL), High Risk-myelodysplasia (HR-MDS), or Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN)PHASE1; PHASE2 · Sanofi S.A. · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2025)Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia; Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Refractory; Myelodysplastic Syndromes; Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasia
- PIPrognostic Impact and Therapeutic Implications of Genetic Alterations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic SyndromesH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2025)
- PINCT05787496A Phase 1, Open-Label, Safety, Tolerability, And Efficacy Study of NC525 in Subjects With Advanced Myeloid NeoplasmsPHASE1 · NextCure, Inc. · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2025)Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia; Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia; Relapsed or Refractory Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- PIA retrospective review of patients with hematologic malignancies and both IDH and FLT3 mutationsWeill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)
- PINCT04266301A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase III Multi-center Study of Azacitidine With or Without MBG453 for the Treatment of Patients With Intermediate, High or Very High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) as Per IPSS-R, or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia-2 (CMML-2)PHASE3 · Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2024)Myelodysplastic Syndromes; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic
- PICompassionate Use of CB-5339 for Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Patient B-HWeill Medical College of Cornell University · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2024)
- PINCT02598661A Study to Evaluate Imetelstat (GRN163L) in Transfusion-Dependent Subjects With IPSS Low or Intermediate-1 Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) That is Relapsed/Refractory to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) TreatmentPHASE2; PHASE3 · Geron Corporation · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2024)Myelodysplastic Syndromes
- PINCT04996030An Open-label Phase 1 Study to Evaluate Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of SY-2101 in Adult Patients With Acute Promyelocytic LeukemiaPHASE1 · Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2023)Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
- PINCT03218683A Phase 1/1b/2a, 3-Part, Open-Label, Multicentre Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Antitumor Activity of Ascending Doses of AZD5991 Monotherapy and in Combination With Venetoclax in Subjects With Relapsed or Refractory Haematologic MalignanciesPHASE1 · AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2023)Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- PINCT03836209Randomized Trial of Gilteritinib vs Midostaurin in FLT3 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)PHASE2 · PrECOG, LLC · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2022)Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- PINCT03268954A Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled, Open-label, Clinical Study of Pevonedistat Plus Azacitidine Versus Single-Agent Azacitidine as First-Line Treatment for Patients With Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, or Low-Blast Acute Myelogenous LeukemiaPHASE3 · Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2021)Myelodysplastic Syndrome; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
News mentions
- Mapping Human Bone Marrow Yields New Tool, Insights on Blood CancerJuly 20, 2026
Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have developed a new AI-based method to assess patients with a form of blood cancer called myelodysplastic neoplasms.
- Faculty Honored with Notable AwardsMay 15, 2026
Weill Cornell Medicine faculty members were honored with awards for their exemplary achievements in medical research, education and care May 13-14 during Weill Cornell Medicine’s commencement activities. Dr. Pinkal Desai was awarded the Jeanne and Herbert Siegel Faculty Development Award. The prize recognizes an early-career faculty member for exemplary clinical and research contributions, as well as teaching and mentoring medical students. Dr. Michele Fuortes was awarded the Jeanne and Herbert Siegel Award for Excellence in Medical Education. This prize recognizes a faculty member for exemplary contributions to medical education. Dr. Simon Scheuring was awarded the Jeanne and Herbert Siegel Outstanding Medical Research Award. The award recognizes exceptional professional achievement and scientific innovation, as well as a commitment to positively impact future generations of researchers. Dr. Ji Won Kim was awarded the Neal Flomenbaum, M.D. Award for Excellence in Emergency Medicine. The award honors an outstanding emergency medicine faculty member who demonstrates clinical skill and dedication to the field of emergency medicine. Dr. Jessica Ciralsky was awarded the Donald J. D'Amico, M.D., Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology. The award acknowledges an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Karen Chernoff was awarded the Richard D. Granstein, M.D., Award for Excellence in Dermatology. This award acknowledges professional achievement, clinical skill and research contributions in the field of dermatology. Dr. Kyu Rhee was awarded the Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentorship. This honor recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to supporting colleagues to become academic leaders in clinical care, research or education. Dr. David A. Asch, M.D. '84 was awarded the Weill Cornell Medical College Alumni Association Award of Distinction. The award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in…
Media highlights
- MRD-Guided Risk Stratification Refines Transplant Decisions In Patients With Acute Myeloid LeukemiaOncology Learning Network · October 26, 2026
External relationships
Other Interest
Janssen Research & Development, LLC
Other
AbbVie Inc. · Bristol-Myers Squibb Company · Enable Life Sciences LLC (Enable) · Kura Oncology · Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.