Beyond Cancer Spotlight: Deepa Jeyakumar

Deepa Jeyakumar, MD (She/Her/Hers) is an Associate Clinical Professor who specializes in treating hematologic malignancies. Her clinical focus is on treating patients with leukemias, lymphomas, myelodysplastic syndromes and myelomas. Read on to learn more about her story.

1. What are your career/research interests? 

I am interested in helping to develop new therapies for patients with acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Hopefully, these new therapies will help people live longer and with better quality of life.

2. How did your early life experiences shape your education and career choices? 

Early in my medical career, I worked with a hematologist who shared his joy of hematology. We would see patients and evaluate their blood smears to understand their disease. After these experiences, I felt that hematology would be the best fit for me.

3. What brought you to UCI?

I was drawn to UCI since my colleagues were warm and collaborative.

4. How did you connect with others to build your own sense of community and belonging at work? 

We serve a large and diverse local community. Seeing people recover after their illness and rejoin the community and try to better it has been very rewarding.

5. What motivates you to serve your community and contribute to the CFCCC mission?

Over the years, I have worked with many wonderful people who dedicate themselves to helping patients with cancer fight their disease. They are committed to improving not only individual peoples lives but also to help advance the field.

6. What challenges have you experienced in your professional journey? 

I think that learning to navigate the complexities of helping patients during their cancer treatments while also being in a pandemic was very challenging.

7. What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? 

I am proud to help provide access to novel therapies through various clinical trials. Sometimes, these trials can change the standard of care for these diseases.

8. What are your interests/hobbies outside of work? 

I enjoy spending time with my family. I also love mysteries and travel.

9. What is a fun or random fact about you? 

I have lived in four different continents during my life which has helped me appreciate how different communities can be.

Have someone in mind for a spotlight? Nominate them today!