Alexandre G. Troullioud Lucas, MD, MSc

Although bone marrow transplantation is effective, it can cause side effects and complications. In addition to caring for patients, I am conducting research to better our field’s understanding of children’s outcomes after transplantation. My goal is to use these insights to develop an algorithm that can predict outcomes, such as relapse, infection, and related complications, including graft-versus-host disease. Despite significant advances in bone marrow transplantation, relapse is still possible after transplant, representing a severe complication with limited treatment options. If we can identify factors that predict who is most likely to relapse, we can develop strategies to intervene and possibly prevent relapse.

The bone marrow transplantation process is a lengthy one, so I get to know my patients and their families very well. Having the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients and their families is one of the reasons why I chose this field. When I first meet a new patient, I try to get a feel not only for their family dynamic, but also their needs and preferences. I enjoy becoming a part of each family’s team; together, we make decisions about their care.

The combination of the social aspect of my work with the scientific part represents an intellectual challenge that I find very motivating. It is gratifying to advocate for each child while conducting research to learn more about the immune system to advance the field.

During my training, I was honored to be recognized as Chief Resident and Chief Fellow; I also received the Nurses’ Choice Award when working towards my fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. My training has taken me through several countries that have provided me with a diverse perspective on the practice of medicine. I am Portuguese and was raised in the Netherlands, where I went to medical school and did early postgraduate training. I did my first year of pediatric residency training in Buenos Aires, Argentina, completed my pediatric residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, and then did my fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology at MSK and Weill Cornell Medicine.

I have benefited from seeing how medicine is practiced in different countries. Getting to know different cultures has provided me with a broad view of the way health care is delivered and received around the world. To that end, I believe that the patients and families I now see, many of whom come to MSK Kids from across the globe, will benefit from my international experience as well.