Stella T. Chou, MD
Areas of expertise: Hematology, Transfusion medicine, Sickle cell disease and alloimmunization, Apheresis
Locations: Main Building, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care
About Stella T. Chou, MD
Dr. Chou's research laboratory focuses on regenerative blood cellular therapy, the mechanisms of normal human hematopoietic development, and how these become disrupted in hematologic diseases. Her NIH-funded laboratory uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and primary human cells to both model blood diseases and create customized iPSCs with rare blood group antigen combinations as renewable sources of red cells. Translational work from her lab has been at the forefront of integrating molecular technologies into clinical transfusion medicine practice and developing novel tools to improve red cell therapy, particularly for individuals with sickle cell disease.
One focus of the Chou laboratory is to investigate mechanisms of hematopoietic development and to understand the role of genetic modifiers in pediatric hematologic diseases, with a particular interest in Down syndrome associated blood abnormalities. Her lab uses iPSCs and primary samples from patients with blood diseases to model key features of these disorders and to study the underlying pathophysiology. Projects include understanding the role of Trisomy 21, GATA1, and other mutations in anemia, thrombocytopenia, myeloproliferative disorders, and pediatric leukemias.
The Chou laboratory is actively pursuing novel approaches to improve red blood cell therapy for patients with sickle cell disease. Research from her collaborative team demonstrated that variant RH among patients and donors contribute to Rh alloimmunization following transfusion. Ongoing work examines the RH loci in patients and blood donors and determining whether genetically matched blood at RH and other blood group loci can avoid alloimmunization. Her laboratory is creating customized iPSCs with designer blood group antigen combinations as renewable sources of red cells for the transfusion service laboratory, and for future use as transfusion products. Projects include understanding developmental cues for the transition from primitive (yolk sac) to definitive (fetal liver, adult) blood programs, investigating pathways or manipulating genes to enhance in vitro red cell differentiation and production, and additional uses for in vitro grown red cells.
Titles
Chief, Division of Hematology
Chief, Division of Transfusion Medicine
Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Certifications
Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine – American Board of Pathology
Hematology – American Board of Internal Medicine
Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics
Awards and Honors
2021, Distinguished Chair in Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2018, The National Blood Foundation Hall of Fame
2015, Scholar Award of The National Blood Foundation
2011, National Blood Foundation Young Investigator Scholarship
1997, New York Medical College Trustees' Scholarship for top 30 students
1997, Joseph Collins Foundation Scholarship for academic excellence
1995, Dean's List with Distinction, Duke University
1994, Dean's List, Duke University
Leadership and Memberships
Memberships in Professional Organizations
International
2008-present, Association for Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies
- 2023-present, Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee
- 2016-present, AABB Foundation Grant Review Committee
2004-present, American Society of Hematology
- 2026-present, Ex-officio, Guideline Panel for the ASH Management of Sickle Cell Disease During Pregnancy
- 2025-present, Sickle Cell Disease Research Collaborative Data Lab
- 2024-present, Committee on Quality
- 2016-2020, Chair, Transfusion Panel for the ASH Sickle Cell Disease Guideline Panel
National
2023-present, CureSci Apheresis for Sickle Cell Disease
- 2023-present, Working group
2018-present, St. Jude Sickle Cell Research and Intervention Program
- 2018-present, Co-Chair, Transfusion Therapy Working Group
2017-present, American Society for Apheresis
2005-present, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Editorial and Academic Positions
Editorial Positions
2024-present, Editorial Board Member, Blood
2022-present, Reviewer, Journal of Clinical Apheresis
2018-present, Reviewer, Haematologica
2017-present, Reviewer, Blood Advances
2016-present, Reviewer, Journal of Clinical Investigation
2015-present, Reviewer, Proceedings of National Academy of Science
2011-present, Reviewer, British Journal of Hematology
2011-present, Reviewer, Transfusion
2010-present, Reviewer, Blood
Academic and Institutional Committees
2024-2025, Co-Lead, Recruitment of Diverse Faculty, Enterprise Strategy Development
2024-present, Finance Advisory Committee
2023-present, Awards Selection Committee
2016-present, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Committee
2014-present, Pediatric Hematology Mentorship Committee
- 2023-present, Chair
2012-present, Faculty Research Advisory Committee, Department of Pediatrics
- 2018-present, Co-Chair
2010-present, Transfusion Committee, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Education & training
Medical Degree
MD - New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Internship
Pediatrics - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Residency
Pediatrics - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Fellowship
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Transfusion Medicine - Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA