St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

During Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month, we highlight the impactful work of Samuel H. Hughes, MBA, operations manager for the Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (CENT), part of the St. Jude Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative. Hughes’s dedication to translational research for ultrarare diseases, including SMA, exemplifies the commitment of St. Jude to advancing care for children facing life-threatening conditions. Hughes played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking clinical trial led by Richard Finkel, MD, CENT director. This trial explored the potential of prenatal treatment for SMA, a disorder that, if left untreated, is often fatal. Recognized by TIME 100 Health for its promising results, the trial involved the administration of risdiplam to an expectant mother eight weeks before delivery, followed by continued treatment and careful monitoring after birth. Hughes’s expertise in clinical research and logistical planning was crucial throughout the trial. From navigating complex regulatory requirements to ensuring timely collection and shipment of critical blood samples, his work enabled clinicians to accurately measure drug levels and adjust treatment protocols. The collaborative effort extended well beyond St. Jude, involving regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical partners and care teams across multiple locations. Hughes reflected, “Everybody knew they had to move quickly; they understood the need and the potential impact of the study. It really took a village to make it all happen.” The results of this trial demonstrate that prenatal treatment may be a promising approach for SMA. The child treated through this protocol, March Hennings, recently celebrated her third birthday and has no measurable signs of SMA, underscoring the potential impact of such research on future generations.

The next installment of The Science of Childhood Cancer lecture series takes place on September 4 at 12 pm CT/1 pm ET, featuring Vijay Sankaran, MD, PhD, who will share his research on the genetic factors that shape risk and resilience to blood cancers. Sankaran, a professor at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, will highlight how emerging human genetic studies are uncovering inherited risk factors and protective mechanisms for blood cancers. He will also examine mechanistic studies that provide deeper insights into these inherited variants and their role in disease resilience. Register to hear his lecture: ow.ly/kGvu50WASuW 

The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 2025 Scientific Report celebrates a year of transformative progress in advancing cures and research for pediatric catastrophic diseases. This annual report showcases key breakthroughs across biology, genomics, immunotherapy and predictive medicine, all driven by the institution’s unique culture that fosters collaboration across disciplines and encourages bold ideas that push the boundaries of what is possible. Highlights include advanced microscopy advancing biological research, precision genomics improving care for pediatric leukemia, predictive medicine reducing risks and improving patient outcomes, and innovations in T-cell biology and cancer immunotherapy reshaping treatment strategies. For over six decades, St. Jude investigators have combined scientific innovation with clinical expertise to transform the outlook for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Guided by Danny Thomas’ founding vision, we continue to push the boundaries of medicine to tackle the hardest problems and answer the toughest questions. This video offers a glimpse of achievements and highlights from the past year. For a closer look at the innovative and groundbreaking work of St. Jude researchers, explore the full report: https://ow.ly/3UEq50WMyJT

Join us for the St. Jude Knowledge in Data Science Symposium, taking place in Memphis, TN, on October 27–28, 2025. This event is available in-person and virtually, offering a unique opportunity to connect, learn and collaborate with leading minds in biomedical data science. The symposium aims to strengthen our collaborative data science culture by sharing and exploring innovative strategies for extracting valuable scientific insights from biomedical data. This multidisciplinary event will bring together biologists, clinicians, biostatisticians, computational biologists, bioinformaticians, image analysts, structural biologists, software engineers and other experts working at the forefront of their fields. Over the course of the two-day event, leaders from St. Jude and other leading institutions will highlight the challenges they’ve faced, the solutions they’ve developed and the ongoing questions in biomedical data science research. Keynote presentations will feature Dr. Faisal Mahmood, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Vivek Natarajan, Research Scientist at Google DeepMind. Register to join: https://ow.ly/H5A950WM6iT

The Career Advancement Program (CAP) fellowship at St. Jude is a transformative initiative designed to help PhD scientists transition from traditional research roles to careers beyond the laboratory. Recognizing that many postdocs seek opportunities outside of research, CAP provides tailored, full-time experiential training through hands-on experiences and mentorship in diverse fields, opening doors for PhDs after their postdoc ends. Cameron Ogg, PhD, is a recent CAP fellow who exemplifies the program’s impact. After completing her PhD at the The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and postdoctoral training at St. Jude in the laboratory of Lindsay Schwarz, PhD, Cameron faced a pivotal decision: remain in a research-focused environment or pursue a career in teaching. “When I was doing my PhD program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and my postdoc at St. Jude, there wasn’t an undergraduate population where I could see if teaching undergraduates was a good choice for me,” Ogg said. “I looked to the CAP fellowship as a good opportunity to see if I liked the day-to-day realities of teaching.” Through the fellowship, she was placed at Rhodes College in Memphis, where she gained invaluable experience teaching undergraduates, designing courses and participating in faculty meetings. The fellowship provided funding that allowed her to establish her own research lab at Rhodes, where she continued her work on cognitive flexibility with her students. This opportunity was instrumental in helping Ogg determine her career path. She reflects, “Sally McIver and Lydia Soleil, PhD, ICF-ACC were super supportive throughout the CAP application process and all throughout the fellowship journey. They and the program really helped me find my career path.” With the support of CAP and St. Jude faculty, Ogg recently began as a tenure-track professor at Rhodes College where she will continue her research and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

We’re honored that St. Jude has been named to Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Best Employers for New Grads. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive environment where new graduates can thrive, innovate and grow personally and professionally. Forbes surveyed over 100,000 early-career professionals at large companies, and St. Jude stood out for our competitive wages, comprehensive benefits and outstanding growth opportunities. Thank you to our dedicated team for making St. Jude a place where passion and purpose come together every day! Read more: https://ow.ly/RXij50WKgrC

I’m excited to share the Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude Podcast! This is a project I’m proud to help create with many amazing teams at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 🎙️ This podcast is dedicated to sharing the real stories, challenges, and wisdom from caregivers who support children facing cancer and other serious illnesses. Each episode features honest conversations, expert insights, and practical advice to help families feel seen, supported, and less alone on their journey. I’m grateful for the chance to share these important voices and connect caregivers with the resources. If you or someone you know could benefit from these conversations, I invite you to listen and share: https://lnkd.in/g_hdYh3A or visit your favorite podcast platform and search Caregivers SHARE.

The Science of Childhood Cancer Lecture Series continues August 28 at 12 pm CT/1 pm ET with Rabin Karen, MD, PhD, professor at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Rabin will review the clinical features of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children with Down syndrome (DS), sharing insights and challenges. She will also describe recent findings on the genomic landscape of DS-ALL and insights into leukemogenesis from mouse models. To learn more from an expert in pediatric leukemia research, register today: ow.ly/kGvu50WASuW

The St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences has introduced a new Master of Science in Applied Biomedical Data Sciences program for students interested in advanced training at the intersection of data science and biomedicine. Through this program, future scientists gain the expertise to interpret and utilize large-scale biomedical data, accelerating research progress and improving patient outcomes. Bringing together expertise from diverse fields, this program empowers students to solve some of the most pressing challenges in biology and medicine. Under the leadership of Associate Dean Stan Pounds, PhD, a specialist in statistical cancer genomics research, students gain hands-on experience and learn from St. Jude’s world-renowned experts in biomedical data science. This year, seven students join the program’s inaugural class, gaining the opportunity to develop advanced data science skills and contribute to biomedical research that drives innovation and ultimately enhances patient care.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is dedicated to equipping future biomedical researchers and clinicians with advanced knowledge and skills through a comprehensive continuum of education and training. The institution’s approach spans early education to advanced degree programs and postdoctoral training. “Education is a foundational pillar of St. Jude, because we believe the next generation of scientists, doctors and innovators is already among us — they just need the opportunity to see what’s possible,” said Kate Ayers, PhD, STEMM Education and Outreach Program director. Programs start in Memphis-area elementary schools with the STEMM Education and Outreach Program, which introduces students to immersive science experiences. The High School Research Immersion and Emerging Leaders in Biomedical Research programs extend those opportunities through undergraduate programs, providing hands-on research and mentorship. As students advance, they are engaged in increasingly challenging and robust levels of programming to prepare them for postgraduate and professional pursuits. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at St. Jude offers rigorous PhD and master’s degree programs, engaging students in interdisciplinary research. These programs emphasize translational research, bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical applications. Students benefit from mentorship by leading experts and access to state-of-the-art facilities, preparing them for impactful careers in biomedical science. St. Jude also collaborates with theThe University of Tennessee Health Science Center, enabling doctoral candidates in Biomedical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences to complete lab rotations and dissertation research under St. Jude faculty. These partnerships create a robust pipeline for highly skilled researchers to engage in innovative investigations and develop expertise in specialized areas. The Office of Academic Programs in Biomedical Sciences further supports predoctoral and postdoctoral training, offering mentorship, leadership development and career preparation. The Career Advancement Program (CAP) fellowship, led by Sally McIver, PhD, empowers postdoctoral researchers to explore diverse career paths, including non-laboratory roles where scientific expertise is essential. Through these initiatives, St. Jude plays a pivotal role in shaping the biomedical workforce and advancing the frontiers of pediatric research. Learn more about education and training opportunities: https://ow.ly/rVCu50WHAbJ