A Q&A With Incoming Division Chief Dr. Jeff Bednarski
With donor support, we are thrilled to welcome Jeffrey J. Bednarski, MD, PhD, as the new leader of the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation at UPMC Children’s. Effective June 1, 2026, Dr. Bednarski will serve as both division chief and director of the Mario Lemieux Institute for Pediatric Cancer Research.
We recently had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Bednarski to learn more about his vision, his work, and what he’s looking forward to most as he and his family settle into life in the Steel City.
Q: What is your vision for the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation at UPMC Children’s?
A: My vision is for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s to be a leader in research and clinical care of children with blood disorders and cancer. I envision building the division to be a destination for physicians and patients, for physician-scientists to identify novel discoveries and lead new treatments, and for patients to receive innovative therapies.
Q: How will you continue to strengthen care and research for patients and families?
A: My goal is to build on the strong clinical foundation at UPMC Children’s and to expand research and innovation through the addition of basic and clinical researchers and the development of novel clinical trials.
Q: Where did you complete your medical training?
A: I received my MD and PhD degrees from the University of Michigan and completed my residency in Pediatrics and fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
Q: Are you from the Pittsburgh area?
A: I’m originally from Erie, PA. I’ve since traveled through North Carolina, Michigan, Boston, and St. Louis for education and training.
Q: Can you tell us about your work as a physician-scientist?
A: My work focuses on how blood cells develop and on developing novel treatment approaches for leukemia and immune deficiencies.
My laboratory investigates signaling networks that regulate early stem cell and B cell development. A particular focus of my research is studying how cells respond to DNA damage to direct appropriate development. My work examines how errors in these developmental programs or DNA damage responses lead to leukemias and immune deficiencies.
I have also led clinical trials to improve bone marrow transplantation for patients with immune deficiencies and to bring new immune-based therapies for children with leukemia.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A: Outside of work, I enjoy bike riding, hiking, golf, and downhill skiing (well, the last one until I recently broke my leg!). I enjoy listening to live music, particularly jazz, and am looking forward to finding new music venues in Pittsburgh.
Q: Can you share a little about your family?
A: I have two kids. My son is a junior at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he is studying chemical engineering and plays in the marching band. I travel to see him play on game days a couple of times each fall. My daughter is a freshman at McGill University in Montreal, where she is studying kinesiology and performs on aerial silks. She has performed in several shows in Montreal over the past year.
Q: Once you’re settled in, what are you most excited to do in Pittsburgh?
A: There are many things I’m excited about doing in Pittsburgh. I think at the top of the list is attending Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers games! I’m also excited to get to know colleagues and the community at UPMC/University of Pittsburgh.
