Kala Kamdar, MD
Department or Service
Location
- Texas Medical Center
Specialty
Blood Disorders
Phone: 832-824-4163
Contact Information
Research Area
- Epidemiology
- Lymphoma
Associate Director, Clinical Division (Outpatient), Cancer and Hematology Centers
Co-Director, Lymphoma Program
Associate Director, Pediatric Lymphoma-Histiocytosis Fellowship Program
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine
Education
| School | Education | Degree | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine | fellowship | Pediatric Hematology Oncology | 2008 |
| University of Cincinnati College of Medicine | residency | Internal Medicine/Pediatrics | 2005 |
| University of Cincinnati College of Medicine | internship | Internal Medicine/Pediatrics | 2001 |
| University of Louisville School of Medicine | medical school | Doctor of Medicine | 2000 |
About
Board Certifications
American Board of Pediatrics
American Board of Pediatrics – Hematology/Oncology
American Board of Internal Medicine
Research Statement
Dr. Kala Kamdar's principal research interest is in the prevention of long-term complications of childhood cancer therapies. Due to the need for cancer therapies at a young age, adult survivors of childhood cancer face unique long-term health problems, including neurocognitive impairment and learning difficulties.
Using a molecular epidemiology approach, Dr. Kamdar's current research is focused on genetic susceptibility to neuropsychological impairment after acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy. Specifically, she is investigating the role of genetic polymorphisms in the folate pathway and the xenobiotic detoxification pathway on the development of neurocognitive impairment after exposure to methotrexate chemotherapy, a folate analog.
Ultimately, identification of children at risk for long-term toxicities may lead to modification of treatment regimens or other interventions to minimize these long-term toxicities.
Her research interests include: 1) the long-term complications of childhood cancer therapy, 2) molecular epidemiology, 3) genetic susceptibility to neuropsychological impairment, 4) exposure to methotrexate chemotherapy, and 5) the risk for long-term toxicities.