NAPAAC Scientific Symposium

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will host the Scientific Symposium on Bone Marrow Failure and Myelodysplastic Syndromes: From Discovery to Future Strategies on October 25–27, 2026, in partnership with the North American Pediatric Aplastic Anemia Consortium (NAPAAC). NAPAAC is a research consortium established in 2011 to advance research and therapies in pediatric bone marrow failure and myelodysplastic syndromes.

About the symposium

Bone marrow failure (BMF) disorders and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent over 20 disease entities with at least 150 causative genes. Despite rapid progress in genetic diagnostics, developing targeted therapies and deploying effective surveillance remain a critical challenge.

This symposium brings together >60 academic centers who are members of the NAPAAC consortium. In addition, global leaders in bone marrow failure from Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia will share discoveries and clinical insights on genetics, transplantation, gene therapy, predisposition syndromes, and emerging treatment strategies.

Program highlights

• Sunday, October 25 (from 3pm):
  Opening session on international collaboration and patient advocacy. 
• Monday, October 26 (8am – 6pm) and Tuesday, October 27 (8am – 1pm):
  Scientific sessions on hematopoiesis, genomics, disease mechanisms, and emerging therapies including novel transplant strategies and genome engineering. Poster session to showcase basic, translational and clinical research within NAPAAC.
• Networking and collaboration:
  This interactive event provides opportunities to network with peers, engage in strategic discussions on emerging treatment approaches, and connect across the global community. Dedicated time will be offered for NAPAAC working groups to discuss progress and define future priorities. 

Confirmed international speakers

• Lucy Fox, MBBS, DMedSc – Melbourne, Australia
• Biju George, MBBS, MD, DM – Vellore, India
• Carmem Bonfim, MD, PhD –Curitiba, Brazil
• Hideki Muramatsu, MD, PhD – Nagoya, Japan
• Yang Wan, MD – Tianjin, China
• Shaoyan Hu, MD, PhD – Suzhou, China
• Lucy A. Godley, MD, PhD – Chicago, US
• Wojciech Młynarski, MD, PhD – Łódź, Poland
• Charlotte M. Niemeyer, MD – Freiburg, Germany (Chair, EWOG-MDS)
• Brigitte Strahm, MD – Freiburg, Germany (Chair: EWOG-SAA)
• Susana Navarro, PhD – Madrid, Spain
• Anita Frisanco Oliveira, MD – Barretos, Brazil
• Riccardo Masetti, MD, PhD – Bologna, Italy