Kala Y. Kamdar, MD
- Cancer and Blood Disorders
Associate Director, Clinical Division (Outpatient), Cancer and Hematology Center
Co-Director, Lymphoma Program
Associate Director, Pediatric Lymphoma-Histiocytosis Fellowship Program
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine
Office location:
Texas Medical Center
6701 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77030
Get to know Kala Y. Kamdar, MD
Education
| School | Education | Degree | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas School of Public Health | Masters | Master of Science, Epidemiology | 2010 |
| Baylor College of Medicine | Fellowship | Pediatric Hematology-Oncology | 2008 |
| University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center | Post-doctoral Fellowship | Cancer Prevention | 2008 |
| University of Cincinnati / Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center | 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 |
| University of Louisville | Bachelors | Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering | 1996 |
Organizations
| Organization Name | Role |
|---|---|
| American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) | Member |
| American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) | Member |
| American Society for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) | Member |
Board Certifications
American Board of Pediatrics
American Board of Pediatrics - Hematology/Oncology
American Board of Internal Medicine
Awards
2015 Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Faculty Excellence Award
2013 Faculty Recognition Award, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center
2008 AACR-WICR Brigid G. Leventhal Scholar Award, American Association for Cancer Research
2008 Bone Marrow Transplant Fellow Oral Presentation Award, Baylor College of Medicine
2007 Selected for participation in American Association for Cancer Research Molecular Biology in Clinical Oncology Workshop
2007 Russell and Virginia McFarland Award for Oral Presentation of Research, Pediatric Grand Rounds, Texas Children’s Hospital
2007 Participant, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences SNP Workshop
2006 Best Tumor Board Award, Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Service, Baylor College of Medicine
2005 Vale-Asche Foundation Fellowship
2004 The Doctor’s Doctor Award, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati
2004 Evidence-Based Medicine Workshop, Duke University
2003 2nd Place Poster, American College of Physicians Ohio Chapter Scientific Meeting
1999 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
1995 Donald F. Othmer Academic Excellence Award, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.
Research Area:
Epidemiology (Cancer and Hematology)
Lymphoma
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:
- the long-term complications of childhood cancer therapy,
- molecular epidemiology,
- genetic susceptibility to neuropsychological impairment,
- exposure to methotrexate chemotherapy, and
- the risk for long-term toxicities.