News & Events | Blood Center Researcher Named as Associate Professor at UW Medical School

Appointment represents next step in full faculty position at the University of Washington Medical School

JULY 20, 2004, SEATTLE — Puget Sound Blood Center, internationally recognized for its blood-related research, recently announced that one of its senior investigators, Jonathan Drachman, M.D., has been named as associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Drachman, an award-winning researcher who is also director of the Blood Center’s Cord Blood Program, has been an assistant professor since 1999.

The university initiated the review process last year, in part based on the substance and quality of his research. The Harvard-educated scientist has dedicated his laboratory to understanding what causes a life-threatening bleeding condition called thrombocytopenia. The condition occurs when the body fails to produce sufficient numbers of platelets, a blood component that helps to control bleeding.

The Megkaryocyte and Platelet Research Laboratory, as it is called, investigates the genetic and biochemical processes that regulate platelet production by the bone marrow. Late last year, the laboratory successfully isolated a new gene responsible for this little-understood bleeding disorder in humans. The information gathered on this mutated gene holds keys that may help researchers better understand how platelets are produced and what happens when there is a problem with that gene. The research may also hold the key to developing future gene and drug therapies that may help thousands.

“I know Jonathan is both honored and privileged,” said Sherrill Slichter, M.D., executive vice president of research at Puget Sound Blood Center. “As a top academic institution, the university has an extremely competitive appointment process, with many qualified candidates to consider for faculty positions. That the UW Medical School has extended the appointment is a clear endorsement of the strength and promise of Jonathan’s research.”

To be considered, candidates must present substantial quality research findings, evidence of their contribution to advancing medical research, the ability to secure funding and publication in peer- reviewed journals.

As a result of the appointment, Dr. Drachman has the potential to serve on the National Institutes of Health’s study section, a committee that evaluates and approves grant applications – setting the agenda for scientific research and influencing they type of study to receive national funding.

About Puget Sound Blood Center
Celebrating 60 years in the community, the Blood Center is internationally recognized for groundbreaking research in transfusion and transplantation medicine. The nonprofit Blood Center is the resource for patients in Western Washington who need blood, tissue and specialized laboratory services. Founded in 1944, the Blood Center has a long and unique tradition of blending community volunteerism, medical science and research to improve patients’ lives. The organization directly affects the lives of over half million patients annually in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 counties of Washington State and provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.