Sonata Jodele, MD

Biography

Dr. Jodele is an international expert in all aspects of transplant- associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), clinical and research. She made major contributions to the field by linking TMA pathophysiology to the complement pathway, demonstrating the relationship of the disease to specific clinical and genetic factors, and then establishing a new paradigm for therapy with inhibition of the complement pathway. She is a leader in ongoing research efforts to develop new and better therapies for TMA. Due to her extensive experience in the care of complex transplant patients Dr. Jodele leads multi-disciplinary international collaborative groups and research projects around the world with clinicians and scientists from Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Japan.

Dr. Jodele serves as a clinical consultant for the physicians throughout the world regarding care of complex patients with this disorder. Dr. Jodele led the first prospective TMA biomarker and genetic predisposition studies. These studies resulted in practical applications to clinical care and also comprehensive diagnostic laboratory panels that are now offered for national and international patients. She also proposed new diagnostic algorithms and risk stratification criteria for TMA to guide timely initiation of therapy.

Dr. Jodele piloted novel complement blocking therapeutic agents for HSCT recipients with severe TMA and described unique drug pharmacokinetics in this patient population. This work led to the opening of first prospective early intervention clinical study at four major pediatric centers in USA using eculizumab for stem cell transplant recipients with high risk TMA. Dr. Jodele’s research is supported by the NIH, as well as institutional and industry sponsored grants.