Dr. Swords received his medical degree from the National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2000. He completed fellowship training in hematology with the Royal College of Pathology, London (2008). He then pursed additional fellowship training in experimental therapeutics at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, followed by his PhD thesis which focused on post translational modification pathways in AML. In 2012, he joined the University of Miami to lead the adult leukemia program at that institution. In 2018, he moved to AbbVie Pharmaceuticals as a medical director, where he supported the development of venetoclax in myeloid malignancies.

Dr. Swords is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (FRCPI) and the Royal College of Pathologists London (FRCPath). He has published over 150 peer reviewed manuscripts and abstracts in the area of myeloid neoplasia and thematically, his publications focus on translational science and early phase clinical trials for these diseases. He has given oral presentations at local and international meetings including the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the European Hematology Association (EHA) relating to AML therapeutics. He also serves as an editor for Leukemia Research Reports as well as a manuscript reviewer for a number of high impact factor journals including Blood and Leukemia. He has received funding from private foundations, pharma, and the NCI, to conduct investigator initiated projects in his field of investigation.

Dr. Swords has always been fascinated by hematology as a medical specialty. The unique integration between the laboratory and the clinic was a key factor in his decision to be a hematologist. Currently, he specializes in treating patients with blood cancers. The main goal of his research is to develop better drugs for patients with leukemia and related diseases. As a native Irishman, he enjoys going home to visit his family and friends. In his spare time, he likes to read and play piano (fun fact: he supported himself through medical school by teaching kids to play piano!).