Dr. Paola Angelini

Dr. Paola Angelini, MD, PhD, is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she is a member of the MSK Kids team specializing in the care of children with solid tumors, with a particular focus on neuroblastoma. She sees patients at Memorial Hospital, the main hospital at MSK. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Angelini conducts research aimed at advancing the understanding of neuroblastoma and improving outcomes for the children she treats. Her dual commitment to patient care and scientific inquiry reflects a career shaped by both the intellectual challenge of oncology and the deeply human connections formed with patients and their families.

In her research, Dr. Angelini investigates how cancer evolves over time, using liquid biopsy as a key tool to detect even small numbers of cancer cells that may not be identified through standard testing. This approach allows for more precise, individualized treatment decisions for each patient. She has been an active participant in national and international collaborative groups throughout her career, and she brings those contributions to the MSK Kids team. Her work in these global networks reflects a shared commitment to the unified goal of curing childhood cancer, and she values the exchange of knowledge with pediatric oncology colleagues around the world.

Dr. Angelini places great importance on engaging children directly in their care from the very beginning, drawing on her experience as a mother of three to ensure that young patients feel heard and understood. She describes the children she treats as a source of daily inspiration, citing their resilience and capacity for joy as humbling reminders of what matters most in medicine. She chose pediatric oncology for its scientific challenges, but also for the lasting bonds she builds with the families she cares for. At MSK Kids, she is grateful to work alongside a team as dedicated to the care of children with cancer as she is.