Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Principal Investigator at University of California, San Francisco, Mwanasha Merrill, MD!
Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Principal Investigator at University of California, San Francisco, Mwanasha Merrill, MD!
Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Principal Investigator at University of California, San Francisco, Mwanasha Merrill, MD!
By Katrina Fu
By Katrina Fu
Mwanasha Merrill, MD
Mwanasha Merrill, MD
Mwanasha Merrill, MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor and hematologist-oncologist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She completed her bachelor’s in neuroscience at Amherst College. She earned her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine.She then completed her internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and pursued a fellowship in hematology and oncologyat Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Previously, she has also worked in research at Boston Medical Center and Karyopharm Therapeutics.
Mwanasha Merrill, MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor and hematologist-oncologist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She completed her bachelor’s in neuroscience at Amherst College. She earned her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine.She then completed her internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and pursued a fellowship in hematology and oncologyat Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Previously, she has also worked in research at Boston Medical Center and Karyopharm Therapeutics.
In this Q&A, meet Dr. Mwanasha Merrill, PETAL Consortium’s Principal Investigator at UCSF!
In this Q&A, meet Dr. Mwanasha Merrill, PETAL Consortium’s Principal Investigator at UCSF!
In this Q&A, meet Dr. Mwanasha Merrill, PETAL Consortium’s Principal Investigator at UCSF!
Why did you want to become a doctor?
Why did you want to become a doctor?
I grew up around medicine. My mom is a retired nurse and so I remember just visiting her frequently in the hospital. I loved the hospital environment. I loved seeing how much my mom loved medicine and taking care of people.
I grew up around medicine. My mom is a retired nurse and so I remember just visiting her frequently in the hospital. I loved the hospital environment. I loved seeing how much my mom loved medicine and taking care of people.
Why did you want to specialize in oncology and hematology?
Why did you want to specialize in oncology and hematology?
Before I went to medical school, I worked at a small pharmaceutical company, and they focused on drug development for blood cancers. I liked how for oncology, the relationship between basic science, translational research, and patient care could all be integrated together. Therefore, when I went into medical school, oncology was very high on my list of potential fields of study for me, and I ended up pursuing it further.
Before I went to medical school, I worked at a small pharmaceutical company, and they focused on drug development for blood cancers. I liked how for oncology, the relationship between basic science, translational research, and patient care could all be integrated together. Therefore, when I went into medical school, oncology was very high on my list of potential fields of study for me, and I ended up pursuing it further.
What led to your interest in researching T-cell lymphomas?
What led to your interest in researching T-cell lymphomas?
My interest in T-cell lymphoma came from working with many incredible lymphoma mentors during my residency and fellowship, which ultimately led to my decision to pursue lymphoma research afterwards. For T-cell lymphoma, there's an unmet need for therapeutics. So, it seemed like a field that I could make a big change in.
My interest in T-cell lymphoma came from working with many incredible lymphoma mentors during my residency and fellowship, which ultimately led to my decision to pursue lymphoma research afterwards. For T-cell lymphoma, there's an unmet need for therapeutics. So, it seemed like a field that I could make a big change in.
Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?
Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?
I love the idea of collaborative science. Also, PETAL focuses on an aggressive, rare disease (Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma) and is committed to improve outcomes globally as well. I was drawn to PETAL’s infrastructure and network of international investigators coming together to solve this unmet need in T-cell lymphoma.
Other types of lymphoma for instance, may have 10 different options for treatment and options for front-line, second-line, or third-line treatment. Currently, we don’t have these options for T-cell lymphoma, so there’s a need to come up with better treatments.
I love the idea of collaborative science. Also, PETAL focuses on an aggressive, rare disease (Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma) and is committed to improve outcomes globally as well. I was drawn to PETAL’s infrastructure and network of international investigators coming together to solve this unmet need in T-cell lymphoma.
Other types of lymphoma for instance, may have 10 different options for treatment and options for front-line, second-line, or third-line treatment. Currently, we don’t have these options for T-cell lymphoma, so there’s a need to come up with better treatments.
What does a day-in-your-life atlook like?
What does a day-in-your-life atlook like?
Usually, I have two days of clinic, and I'll see patients with various lymphomas. In clinic, I have some trainees who rotate with me as well. My other days are spent doing clinical research, which means designing and thinking about clinical trials and collaborating with translational researchers. My clinical research days may include meetings with collaborators across international institutions, writing manuscripts, and figuring out funding opportunities.
Usually, I have two days of clinic, and I'll see patients with various lymphomas. In clinic, I have some trainees who rotate with me as well. My other days are spent doing clinical research, which means designing and thinking about clinical trials and collaborating with translational researchers. My clinical research days may include meetings with collaborators across international institutions, writing manuscripts, and figuring out funding opportunities.
Congratulations on receiving another American Society of Hematology (ASH) Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) Fellow Award! Could you talk about your projects associated with this award?
Congratulations on receiving another American Society of Hematology (ASH) Hematology Inclusion Pathway (HIP) Fellow Award! Could you talk about your projects associated with this award?
I was very excited to receive this ASH award for two years for a different project. Initially, I received this award in fellowship for a project working on building a customized circulating tumor DNA panel to diagnose lymphomas in southern Africa. The goal was to improve diagnostic precision in resource-limited settings. I was excited when ASH extended my award last year since it allows me to use these funds to support my role as a PETAL investigator at UCSF. I'm incredibly excited about that, and it means a lot for this work to be recognized and supported.
I was very excited to receive this ASH award for two years for a different project. Initially, I received this award in fellowship for a project working on building a customized circulating tumor DNA panel to diagnose lymphomas in southern Africa. The goal was to improve diagnostic precision in resource-limited settings. I was excited when ASH extended my award last year since it allows me to use these funds to support my role as a PETAL investigator at UCSF. I'm incredibly excited about that, and it means a lot for this work to be recognized and supported.
Any interests/hobbies?
Any interests/hobbies?
I love trail running and going on road trips with my family. I also love baking, and my favorite thing to bake is a sponge cake with vanilla icing.
I love trail running and going on road trips with my family. I also love baking, and my favorite thing to bake is a sponge cake with vanilla icing.
Dream vacation destination?
Dream vacation destination?
Prague!
I really enjoy playing tennis, hiking/being in nature, and reading. Right now, I'm finishing a book called Go as a River.
Favorite meal?
Favorite meal?
Tacos with ground beef, beans, onion, and hot sauce.
Tacos with ground beef, beans, onion, and hot sauce.
Favorite TV shows?
Favorite TV shows?
I love reality TV like The Real Housewives franchise.
I love reality TV like The Real Housewives franchise.
Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?
Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?
Hydrangeas! I love how it changes color based on the soil’s pH.
Hydrangeas! I love how it changes color based on the soil’s pH.
For Healthcare Professionals
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
For Healthcare Professionals
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
For Healthcare Professionals
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved