Meghan A. Higman MD, PhD
Meghan A. Higman
MD, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Pediatrics
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2001)
- Residency, Pediatrics, Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (1998)
- Internship, Pediatrics, Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (1996)
- PhD, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, magna cum laude (1995)
- MD, Medicine, University at Buffalo, magna cum laude (1995)
- BA, Chemistry, Niagara University, summa cum laude (1986)
- BS, Biology, Niagara University, summa cum laude (1986)
Employment:
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo (2006-present)
- Assistant Professor, Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2006-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, UBMD Pediatrics, Oishei Children's Hospital (2006-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Pediatrics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2006-present)
- Fellowship Program Director, Hematology/Oncology, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo (2006–2018)
- Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine (2001–2006)
- Assistant Professor, Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine (2001–2006)
Awards and Honors:
- Outstanding Female Graduate of Niagara Catholic High School (2004)
- American Cancer Society: Mid-Atlantic Task Team Recognition for Outstanding Medical Team Leadership (2003)
- Western New York Branch of the American Society for Microbiology: Erwin Neter Award (1993)
- Niagara University: Dr. Thomas H. Morton Medal for Excellence in Biology (1986)
- Father Dana Duggan Award (1986)
- Castle Connolly Medical Ltd: America‘s Top Doctors (2014-2018)
Journal Articles:
- Chen GL, Hahn T, Wilding GE, Groman A, Hutson A, Zhang Y, Khan U, Liu H, Ross M, Bambach BJ, Higman MA, Neppalli V, Sait S, Block AW, Wallace PK, Singh AK, McCarthy PL. Reduced-Intensity Conditioning with Fludarabine, Melphalan, and Total Body Irradiation for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: The Effect of Increasing Melphalan Dose on Underlying Disease and Toxicity. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2019; 25(4).
- Welch JJG, Schwartz CL, Higman MA, Chen L, Buxton A, Kanakry JA, Kahwash SB, Hutchison RE, Friedman DL, Ambinder RF. Epstein-Barr virus DNA in serum as an early prognostic marker in children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2017; 1(11).
- Williams KM, Agwu AL, Dabb AA, Higman MA, Loeb DM, Valsamakis A, Chen AR. A clinical algorithm identifies high risk pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients likely to benefit from treatment of adenoviral infection. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2009; 31(11).
- Williams KM, Higman MA, Chen AR, Schwartz CL, Wharam M, Colombani P, Arceci RJ. Successful treatment of a child with late-onset T-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder/lymphoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2008; 50(3).
- Savage WJ, DeRusso PA, Resar LM, Chen AR, Higman MA, Loeb DM, Jones RJ, Brodsky RA. Treatment of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia with high-dose cyclophosphamide. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2007; 49(7).
- Jacobsohn DA, Chen AR, Zahurak M, Piantadosi S, Anders V, Bolanos-Meade J, Higman MA, Margolis J, Kaup M, Vogelsang GB. Phase II study of pentostatin in patients with corticosteroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease. J Clin Oncol. 2007; 25(27).
- Neuman DL, Farrar JE, Moresi JM, Vogelsang GB, Higman MA. Toxic absorption of tacrolimus [corrected] in a patient with severe acute graft-versus-host disease. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2005; 36(10).
- Milstone AM, Ruff AJ, Yeamans C, Higman MA. Pseudomonas aeruginosa pre-septal cellulitis and bacteremia in a pediatric oncology patient. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2005; 45(3).
- Swierczynski SL, Hafez MJ, Philips J, Higman MA, Berg KD, Murphy KM. Bone marrow engraftment analysis after granulocyte transfusion. J Mol Diagn. 2005; 7(3).
- Higman MA, Vogelsang GB, Chen A. Pentostatin - pharmacology, immunology, and clinical effects in graft-versus-host disease. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2004; 5(12).
- Higman MA, Vogelsang GB. Chronic graft versus host disease. Br J Haematol. 2004; 125(4).
- Liem RI, Higman MA, Chen AR, Arceci RJ. Misinterpretation of a Calvert-derived formula leading to carboplatin overdose in two children. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2003; 25(10).
- Higman MA, Port JD, Beauchamp NJ, Chen AR. Reversible leukoencephalopathy associated with re-infusion of DMSO preserved stem cells. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2000; 26(7).
- Niles EG, Christen LA, Higman MA. Direct photolinkage of GTP to the vaccinia virus mRNA (guanine-7-) methyltransferase GTP methyl acceptor site. Biochemistry. 1994; 33(33).
- Higman MA, Niles EG. Location of the S-adenosyl-L-methionine binding region of the vaccinia virus mRNA (guanine-7-) methyltransferase. J Biol Chem. 1994; 269(21).
- Higman MA. The mRNA (guanine-7-)methyltransferase domain of the vaccinia virus mRNA capping enzyme. Expression in Escherichia coli and structural and kinetic comparison to the intact capping enzyme. J Biol Chem. 1994; 269(21).
- Stuart DT, Upton C, Higman MA, McFadden G, Niles EG. A poxvirus-encoded uracil DNA glycosylase is essential for virus viability. J Virol. 1993; 67(5).
- Christen L, Higman MA, Niles EG. Phenotypic characterization of three temperature-sensitive mutations in the vaccinia virus early gene transcription initiation factor. J Gen Virol. 1992; 73(Pt 12).
- Higman MA, Christen LA, Niles EG. The vaccinia virus mRNA (guanine-N7-)-methyltransferase requires both subunits of the mRNA capping enzyme for activity. J Biol Chem. 1992; 267(23).
Books and Book Chapters:
- Fung HC, Higman MA, van Besien K. "Stem Cell Transplantation". American Society of Hematology Self-Assessment Program, 3rd Edition. 2007.
- Higman MA. "Leukemias and Lymphomas". Principle Practices of Pediatric Surgery. 2004.
- Vogelsang G, Huff CA, Higman MA. "Stem Cell Transplantation". American Society of Hematology Self-Assessment Program, 2nd edition. 2004.
Abstracts:
- Liu H, Hahn T, Wilding G, Groman A, Bambach BJ, Higman MA, Ross M, Chen GL, McCarthy PL. Fludarabine, Melphalan and Low Dose Total Body Irradiation for Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (AlloHCT). Blood. 2011; 118(21).
- Hepgur M, Saito NG, Hahn T, Starostik P, Wallace P, Bambach BJ, Higman MA, Dubel K, McCarthy PL, Khan A, Battiwalla M. Atypical Presentation of Vaginal GvHD with Multiple Abdominal Pain Crisis. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2010; 16(2).
- Hepgur M, Saito NG, Hahn T, Starostik P, Wallace P, Bambach BJ, Higman MA, Dubel K, McCarthy PL, Battiwalla M. Early Complete Donor Lymphoid Chimerism with Fludarabine, Melphalan and Low Dose (400CGY) Total Body Irradiation Reduced Intensity Conditioning. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2010; 16(2).
- Horton TM, Sheehan AN, Lopez-Terrada D, Hutchison RE, Narendra S, Higman MA, Wu M-F, Liu H. Coordinate Regulation of NF-B Subunit Expression in EBV Negative, but Not EBV Positive, Pediatric Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Blood. 2008; 112(11).
- Higman MA, Schwartz CL, Chen L, Chen AR, Freidman D, Hutchinson R, Kahwash SB, Orr C, Ambinder RF. Epstein Barr Viral DNA in the Serum of Children and Adolescents with Hodgkin Disease and Early Response to Chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2008; 26(15S).
- Mitchell S, Reeve B, Cowen E, Fall-Dickson J, Gilbert L, Guadagnini JP, Robinson M, Turner M, Willis G, Schubert M, Bolanos-Meade J, Higman MA, Jacobsohn D, Thormann K, Vogelsang G, Pavletic S. Feasibility and Reproducibility of the New NIH Consensus Criteria to Evaluate Response in Chronic GVHD - A Pilot Study. Blood. 2005; 106(11).
- Bolanos-Meade J, Jacobsohn D, Anders V, Higman MA, Chen A, Phelps M, Vogelsang GB. Pentostatin Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease. Blood. 2005; 106(11).
- Jacobsohn D, Browning B, Thormann K, Higman MA, Phelps ML, Chen AR, Vogelsang GB. Pentostatin: Efficacy in Refractory Chronic GVHD in Children. Blood. 2004; 104(11).
Professional Memberships:
- American Association of Clinical Research (2000–2001)
- American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
- American Society for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Medical Association
- American Society of Hematology
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
Presentations:
- "Pediatric Cancer" Oncology for Scientists, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2017)
- "Supportive Care for Pediatric Patients" Pediatric Resident Lecture, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2017)
- "Design Cancer Therapies: An Overview of Targeted Cancer Therapy" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2012)
- "Fludarabine, Melphalan and Low Dose Total Body Irradiation for Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (AlloHCT)" Annual Meeting, American Society of Hematology (2011)
- "Atypical Presentation of Vaginal GvHD with Multiple Abdominal Pain Crisis" Annual Meeting, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (2010)
- "Early Complete Donor Lymphoid Chimerism with Fludarabine, Melphalan and Low Dose (400CGY) Total Body Irradiation Reduced Intensity Conditioning" Annual Meeting, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (2010)
- "Basics of Chemotherapy" Pediatric Resident Conference, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2008)
- "Cord Blood: Should We Save the Baby‘s Cord Blood?" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2008)
- "What Should I Do with My Cord Blood?" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2008)
- "Neuroblastoma" Pediatric Surgery Teaching Conference, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2007)
- "Cord Blood Transplantation - The Ins and Outs of Talking to Parents" Pediatric Trends, Johns Hopkins University (2005)
- "Lymphadenopathy in Children and Adolescents" Pediatric Trends, Johns Hopkins University (2002)
Service Activities:
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: Institutional Review Board III; Co-Chair (2008–present)
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: Institutional Review Board III; Board Member (2007–present)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Committee for Hematology/Oncology Center of Excellence; Committee Member (2006–present)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellows Conference; Advisor (2001–2006)
- Johns Hopkins University: Oncology Diversity Action Council; Member (2001–present)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Pediatric Oncology Performance Improvement Committee; Committee Member (2000–2006)
- Camp Sunrise; Director (1999–2005)
- Children‘s Oncology Group: Hodgkins Disease Steering Committee; Committee Member
- Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan of Maryland End of Life Committee; Committee Member
- Hodgkin‘s Disease Biology and Banking Subcommittee; Committee Member