GUILDERLAND — Kanyalakshmi “Kanya” Ayyanar, M.D., a pediatric neuro-oncologist, has joined Albany Med’s Department of Pediatrics, as the director of the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital.

She lives in Guilderland with her husband. They have two adult children. 

Ayyanar was also appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, the Joseph and Anna Landis Endowed Chair for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and professor of Pediatrics at Albany Medical College.

She has nearly 15 years of experience in pediatric neuro-oncology in academic and not-for-profit settings, specializing in brain tumors and neurocutaneous disorders. Most recently, she served as director of Oncology at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation in Las Vegas.

Prior to that, she worked as outpatient medical director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship director at the University of Louisville.

During her time at the Melodies Center, she plans to continue her research focusing on pediatric brain tumors. Her honors and awards include being listed among the Top Doctors in Southern Nevada in 2017 and 2019, and receiving multiple Celebrating Better Care awards at the University of Louisville.

Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and its Sub-board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Ayyanar received her medical degree from Madurai Medical College in Tamil Nadu, India. She completed her residency at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey; a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City; and a fellowship in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Boston Children’s Hospital.