Bayard Clarkson, MD, is an Emeritus Member of the Leukemia Service in the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

With more than 50 years of dedicated service and leadership at MSK, Dr. Clarkson played a pivotal role in expanding the institution’s basic and clinical leukemia cancer research portfolio. During Dr. Clarkson’s tenure, his laboratory focused on developing curative therapies for various types of cancer by studying the cellular kinetics of growth and differentiation of normal cells and leukemic cancer stem and progenitor cells.

Dr. Clarkson’s significant contributions to research include his role in developing the L2 10-drug protocol, which resulted in cures for children and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). He has over 400 publications and is recognized for his work on the intracellular signaling pathways that are altered by the BCR-ABL fusion genes, the primary genetic abnormalities that drive certain types of leukemia.

Dr. Clarkson’s remarkable career at MSK also includes his appointment as Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine, during which he led the department through an unprecedented era of expansion related to MSK’s research efforts. He served as Chief of the Hematology service for 19 years and Director of the Hematology Fellowship Program for 10 years, during which he demonstrated extraordinary leadership in training and developing numerous fellows and doctors at MSK.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Clarkson has made significant contributions to the field of medicine through his exceptional clinical skills, innovative research, and outstanding leadership in training and developing healthcare professionals.