Title: Volunteer Physician
Company: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health
Location: Potomac, Maryland, United States
Gerald E. Marti, MD, PhD, volunteer physician at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors for dedication, achievements, and leadership in health care.
With nearly four and a half decades of experience, Dr. Marti has established a successful career in health care, specializing in hematology and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Since 2009, he has served as a volunteer physician at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His previous roles include program physician at the NIH from 1980 to 1987 and volunteer sponsor for his local church. He also contributes as a physician reviewer for overdose fatalities in Montgomery County and is an active member of the International Clinical Cytometry Society, International Society of Analytical Cytometry, and the International Workshop on CLL. Laying a strong educational foundation, he earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and biology from Loras College, followed by a Doctor of Medicine and a PhD in biochemistry from Northwestern University in 1980. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a seven-year fellowship in hematology at the NIH.
Dr. Marti’s expertise lies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a hematological malignancy he has studied for over 30 years, which allows him to clearly and effectively explain the disease’s complexities to patients. He is particularly interested in the molecular abnormalities associated with CLL, focusing on its origins. Reflecting on his path, he initially believed that studying familial CLL might uncover the underlying molecular lesions, an area of research he continues to explore. He acknowledges the significant advancements in cancer technology and treatment options but expresses a desire for these developments to progress at an even faster pace to better serve patients. In light of his impressive undertakings, he was part of the team recognized by the CDC Award and was personally honored with the NIH Clinical Center Award in 2019, the Wallace Coulter Foundation Award in 2012, and as a distinguished lecturer by the International Clinical Cytometry Society.
Dr. Marti attributes his success to his upbringing in a small town in Iowa, where he received a strong high school education in science. Additionally, his early experiences shaped his curiosity and skill set, having worked at a meat locker provided hands-on exposure to studying animals and dissecting organs, which proved valuable in his biology studies, while a job at a grocery store taught him customer service and public interaction. In the coming years, he aims to achieve several ambitious goals, including completing his work on the intellectual history of CLL, a project that includes compiling oral histories of key leaders in the field. He also plans to finalize a paper on the biology and clinical significance of smudge cells in CLL and hopes to advance image analysis of CLL lymphocytes, potentially unlocking clinical benefits. In addition to his research, he engages in regulatory consulting on laboratory-developed tests, though he acknowledges uncertainty about its future direction due to evolving FDA regulations. Beyond his scientific pursuits, he is also conducting oral histories for the church he and his wife attend, reflecting his deep commitment to both his professional field and his community.
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