Umar Farooq, MD
Clinical Professor and Interim Director
Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
The Division of Hematology-Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation has a broad mission, spanning benign and malignant hematology and solid tumor oncology. Division faculty lead more than 200 active clinical research trials at any given time for a wide range of cancers and blood disorders and operate Iowa’s only FACT-accredited bone marrow transplant unit. The division provides services at University of Iowa Health Care, the Iowa City VA Medical Center, and at several regional outreach sites in southeast Iowa. Through the University of Iowa Hemophilia Treatment Center, the division provides comprehensive care to adult patients with hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease, and other bleeding disorders.
Our People
Administration
Division Leadership
Division Leadership
Umar Farooq, MD
Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine
Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine
Director, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Grerk Sutamtewagul, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program
Director, Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program
Ann Tvedte, MBA
Administrator, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Administrative Support
Administrative Support
Brittany Sonntag
Division Coordinator
Administrative Services Specialist
319-356-2148
Administrative Services Specialist
319-356-2148
Jana Ringle
Fellowship Coordinator
319-356-2075
319-356-2075
Rhonda Anderson
Secretary II
319-356-8384
319-356-8384
Liz Jackson
Research Support Coordinator
Phone: (319) 678-7873
Heather Loucks
Secretary II
319-467-5171
319-467-5171
David Munn
Administrative Services Coordinator
319-356-2353
319-356-2353
Kim Nichols
Administrative Services Coordinator
319-356-2374
319-356-2374
Faculty Development
Learn about our faculty development resources
Patient Care
Conferences
Conferences
Monday
- Cancer Center Grand Rounds
4:00-5:00 pm
Medical Alumni Auditorium (E331 GH)
Thursday
- Blood Club
8:00-9:00 am
Ziffren Conference Room (1502 JCP)
Basic Science Research
Basic Science Research
Clinical Research
Clinical Research
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical Research Opportunities
- Collaborative Groups
- Cancer and Leukemia Group B
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
- National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Colon Project
- Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
- Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study
News
UI research identifies promising new target for treating rare, aggressive childhood cancer
Friday, August 15, 2025
A new study, led by Eric Taylor, PhD and Rebecca Dodd, PhD, delving into the genetic drivers of a rare and aggressive childhood cancer called Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST) has revealed metabolic frailties in the cancer cells that might be exploited to improved treatments for patients.
UI Health Care remains Iowa’s No. 1 Hospital in ranking by ‘US News & World Report’
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Cancer care at UI Health Care is ranked ranked among the nation’s top 50, and Gastroenterology and Pulmonology are among the top 10%, according to the 2025-2026 rankings published by U.S. News & World Report.
Uric acid may protect brain function and improve stroke outcomes
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Stroke affects almost 795,000 Americans every year. A new University of Iowa-led study adds to mounting evidence that uric acid, a small naturally occurring molecule, may be able to minimize this damage.
Cancer Research Building will pave way for significant discoveries at UI
Thursday, April 10, 2025
As the university advances plans for a new, state-of-the-art Cancer Research Building, leaders say the facility will pave the way for significant discoveries to be made at the University of Iowa.
Farooq and Zembrzuska collaborate in cellular therapy work
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Hanna Zembrzuska, MD, MME and Umar Farooq, MD have joined forces to understand how chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) research might be applied to develop new treatments for a range of conditions, such as autoimmune diseases.
Shining a light on racial disparities in neuroendocrine tumor research
Friday, December 20, 2024
Hematology-oncology fellow Udhayvir Singh Grewal, MD presented at the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) conference recently in Chicago.
Dayal VA Merit Award renewal allows for continued study on susceptibilities in prediabetes
Monday, December 2, 2024
Sanjana Dayal, PhD, associate professor in Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, received a renewal on a Veterans Affairs (VA) Merit Award, which she first received in July 2020.
Dayal invited to join NIH hematology study section
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Sanjana Dayal, PhD, has been invited to become a member of the National Institutes of Health’s Hemostasis, Thrombosis, Blood Cells and Transfusion (HTBT) Study Section.
Dodd among 2024 Stead Family Scholars
Friday, October 11, 2024
The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine is pleased to announce the 2024 cohort of the Stead Family Scholars Program.
Nayak presented with AHA early career award
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Manasa Nayak, PhD, research assistant professor in Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, was a finalist for the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) Kenneth M. Brinkhous Early Career Investigator Prize in Thrombosis.