ASTCT News
Published on March 11, 2025
ASTCT Women's History Month Spotlight: Nirali N. Shah, MD, MHSc
by Nirali N. Shah
In honor of Women’s History Month, ASTCT is proud to spotlight Dr. Nirali N. Shah, a leader in transplantation and cellular therapy. As a Lasker Clinical Research Scholar, Head of the Hematologic Malignancies Section at the National Cancer Institute and Director at Large on ASTCT’s Board of Directors, Dr. Shah has dedicated her career to advancing treatments for pediatric oncology and acute leukemia.
In this Q&A, Dr. Shah shares the inspiration behind her journey, the challenges and rewards of her work and the impact she hopes to make in the field.
1. What inspired you to enter the transplantation and cellular therapy field?
For me, the initial inspiration was a strong calling to the field of pediatric oncology. I was doing math problems as part of a fundraiser (Math-A-Thon) for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in grade school when I first became aware the field of pediatric oncology. Since then, I have always had a strong interest in blood disorders and now mostly focus on acute leukemia.
With regard to transplantation and cellular therapy, I am absolutely drawn to the magic of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and how cells from someone else can restore a dysfunctional immune system, restore normal hematopoiesis and cure cancer. The whole-body process and its complexity always keeps me on my toes, and trying to find ways to make the “magic” work remains an inspiration. The incorporation of cellular therapy was a natural transition based on my interest in acute leukemia and HSCT. Again, the idea of being able to engineer cells to fight leukemia was just incredible — and so here I am.
2. How do you inspire others?
I am a very direct and honest person. I don’t know that I so much inspire, as I try to “keep it real.” I try to serve as a mirror for my trainees and help them self-reflect and think about “what really matters,” using that as a way to guide and foster decision-making.
I take a similar approach with my patients — they will always know what I know, and also what I don’t know. I think that a simple, straightforward form of communication has served me well and fostered the ability to stay grounded and keep perspective, especially in the face of adversity.
3. What does it mean to be a woman in this field?
While this is not specific to being a woman, I think the hardest thing is to be able to separate your patients and their families from your own. Part of the reason I went into this field is because of how much I value the patient-provider relationship. The families I have met and worked with over the years have truly changed my life.
However, when my patients face tragedy and their leukemia does not respond, it can be challenging to not bring that heartache home with me. Working in this field most certainly gives me perspective on what is truly important. My hope is that through my own leadership and approach to research and patient care, I can help support all our young trainees as they navigate this challenge as well.
4. Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents, for making the brave decision to immigrate to the United States to establish their lives here so I could have the opportunities I have had. They instilled me in a deep commitment to education, integrity and doing good. That foundation has shaped my life.
5. What is your greatest achievement?
Based on my expertise in cell therapy, I have established a skill set that enables me to help other teams, including international providers, set up their own cell therapy programs. Knowing that this will help serve even more people than I could reach individually means a lot.
6. What advice would you give your younger self?
With hard work, dedication and true commitment, it will all work out.
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