Natalia Baran, MD, PhD, MSc, is a hematologist and oncologist recognized for her groundbreaking research in leukemia biology and metabolism-driven therapeutic resistance. She currently serves as Leading Attending and Assistant Professor at the Universitätsklinik für Hämatologie, Insel Gruppe in Bern, Switzerland, where she plays a dual role as a senior clinician and scientific innovator. Her work focuses on advancing treatment strategies for hematologic malignancies, with a particular emphasis on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells.
Dr. Baran’s research program investigates metabolomics, mitochondrial resistance pathways, and mechanisms of metabolism-driven immune evasion—areas central to overcoming therapy resistance in leukemia. Her scientific vision aims to translate molecular discoveries into targeted therapies capable of eradicating leukemic stem cells and improving long-term patient outcomes. She leads multidisciplinary collaborations that bridge clinical practice with cutting-edge translational hematology research.
In addition to her role at Insel Gruppe, Dr. Baran is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, where she contributes to research mentorship, academic teaching, and international scientific exchange.
Prior to her appointments in Switzerland and the United States, Dr. Baran served as Research Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator at the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (IHiT) in Warsaw, Poland. Before that, she spent more than nine years at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston—first as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Leukemia, then as Research Faculty and later as Research Assistant Professor. Her work at MD Anderson shaped her expertise in translational leukemia research and resulted in numerous high-impact scientific contributions.
Dr. Baran began her clinical career in Germany, completing residency and specialist training in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology at the University of Heidelberg, DKFZ German Cancer Research Center, and Bonn University Hospital. These formative years provided her with a strong foundation in patient-centered hematology and advanced oncologic care.
She holds a Medical Doctorate from Wroclaw Medical University and a Master of Science in Biotechnology from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, reflecting her interdisciplinary grounding in both clinical and molecular sciences.
Dr. Baran has received numerous accolades for her scientific contributions, including multiple awards from the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the AACR-Takeda Scholar-in-Training Award, the EMBL Travel Award, the Agilent Travel Award, and the Kimberly Patterson Endowed Fellowship in Leukemia Research. She also earned First Placein the Clinical/Translational Science oral competition at the Annual Postdoctoral Symposium in Houston.
Her academic work is marked by a substantial portfolio of scientific publications, invited presentations, and active participation in international research collaborations. Dr. Baran is dedicated to mentorship, leadership, and advancing evidence-based practice within hematology and oncology.
She is a Member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily.
Office address: Universitätsklinik für Hämatologie, Insel Gruppe, Bern, Switzerland