Member Spotlight: Neil Zakai, MD, MS
About Dr. Zakai
Neil Zakai, MD, MS is a Professor of Medicine, Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine at the Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont. His research focuses on adult clinical and translational hemostasis and thrombosis.
Classical Hematology Community Service:
- Chair/Vice Chair, HTRS Mentored Research Award Program (2019-2023)
- Chair, Organizing Committee, Highlights of ASH 2023-2024
- Director, Clinical Informatics Data Science for UVM Cancer Center
2008 HTRS Mentored Research Award Recipient
- Mentor: Mary Cushman, MD, MSc
- Project Title: "Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in Medical Inpatients"
3 Fun Facts
- Studied abroad in Grenoble, France, where he gained an appreciation for good bread and experienced post-Cold War Europe.
- His family immigrated from pre-partition India to the UK, and later to the U.S. Science is a family calling—his father is an orthopedic surgeon, his mother a nurse, and his brother a veterinarian.
- He’s excited to attend ISTH in June, emphasizing that international collaboration is essential to scientific advancement.
2 Reasons I Chose This Career
I chose a career in hemostasis and thrombosis because I love the science—but staying was about mentorship. I was deeply impacted by Mary Cushman, MD, who became my mentor, collaborator, and colleague. She guided me through the HTRS Mentored Research Award and my K Award. Now, I pay it forward by mentoring through HTRS and ASH’s Clinical Research Training Institute. My goal: fully engage, then step back so others can shine.
1 Thing I Learned
You define your own success. Don’t let others define it for you. For me, success is caring for people, doing good research, and mentoring. It’s not about grant counts or publications.
The path is hard—with setbacks, rejections, and delays. But every challenge is a learning experience. If you stay motivated and keep going, you’ll get where you need to go. The road may be bumpy, but it’s worth the journey.