St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Science and Medicine

21/07/2025

At St. Jude, the High School Research Immersion (HSRI) Program is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of biomedical scientists. Mentorship is a cornerstone of this initiative, providing students with a multi-layered mentor approach to enhance their research experience.

Student groups are guided by faculty mentors and are often supported by various St. Jude staff members. This year, Tomi Mori, PhD, MBA, Department of Biostatistics chair, has a full team of mentors dedicated to four HSRI students. Two mentor assistants, who are undergraduate students, provide hands-on support and unique perspectives as HSRI alumni. Those near-peer mentors are guided by biostatistics staff and postdocs, all of which are overseen by Mori.

This approach not only strengthens the students’ technical skills, such as coding, data visualization and statistical analysis, but also fosters meaningful relationships. “It’s nice to see the dynamic and excitement,” said Mori. “They talk about the future and their careers, and it gives them the opportunity to learn from each other.”

Mentorship at St. Jude is about more than imparting technical expertise. It’s about empowering young scientists to achieve their fullest potential, whether through coaching, encouragement or guidance. As Mori explains, “My style is to listen and get them to think on their own. The answer is in them and I encourage them to come up with their own answers.”

The HSRI Program is growing and so is its impact. By involving students from Memphis and surrounding counties, fostering collaboration and building layers of mentorship, the program is one way St. Jude is shaping the future of science.

To learn more about HSRI, visit: https://ow.ly/kpUz50WsEhy

10/07/2025

20/06/2025

The workplace culture at St. Jude is a cornerstone of the institution, fostering collaboration, connection and a shared sense of purpose. Events like Judestock provide an opportunity to strengthen the culture by bringing the St. Jude community together.

Last week, employees flocked to the heart of campus for an afternoon filled with music, dancing and local food--all staples of Judestock. This annual event exemplifies the camaraderie and spirit that make St. Jude a unique and inspiring place to work.

Maria Megdal, EVP & Chief Administrative Officer, reflected on the importance of connection and community, saying, “This event brings together all of St. Jude staff and ALSAC for a couple of hours of lunch, music, and fun in the sun.”

A researcher shared that the event is a reminder of the welcoming environment that defines the institution. “My favorite memory working at St. Jude would be the first day I joined the other people working in my lab. Everyone welcomed me and made me feel part of the family.”

Judestock is more than just an event. It is a celebration of the shared mission and values that unite the St. Jude community. By coming together in moments like these, employees strengthen the bonds that drive their work forward, creating lasting memories that reflect the heart of St. Jude.

15/06/2025

Scientific discovery often begins with curiosity. For Marc Morgan, PhD, and James Morgan, PhD, this curiosity has been a shared passion spanning decades, rooted in their mutual commitment to advancing research. As a father and son, their journey reflects not only the evolution of science but also the values that define the St. Jude community.

James began his career in England before moving to New Jersey, where he nurtured his son Marc’s interest in science by involving him in lab work. In 1995, James relocated to Memphis to establish a new department at St. Jude with his long-time collaborator, Tom Curran, focusing on neuroscience and brain tumor development. "I was very attracted to St. Jude early on because of the mission," James explains. "I had the chance to build something from scratch in a way that hadn't happened before. Now, we have a world-class institution where talent begets talent."

Marc grew up immersed in this environment of scientific rigor and curiosity. Though he initially pursued English at Rhodes College, his fascination with genetic sequencing and carbon bonds ultimately led him to earn his doctorate from Oxford University. In 2003, Marc joined St. Jude as a research technician, later returning in 2023 as an oncology lead scientist. "You shouldn't be afraid of blowing up your own research and exploring unexplored territories," Marc says. "Being wrong gets you closer to getting it right if you keep questioning."

This shared commitment to inquiry and innovation has shaped both their careers. While James reflects on the early days of building the research infrastructure at St. Jude, Marc notes the institution's remarkable growth over the past two decades.

Despite working in separate departments, the father and son maintain a close connection, often discussing research, genetic disorders and emerging technologies. Their collaborative spirit even led to a joint research paper in 2012.

On Father's Day, we celebrate not only the bond between Marc and James Morgan but also their shared dedication to advancing science in service of the St. Jude mission.

14/06/2025

On World Blood Donor Day, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital honors the critical role blood donors play in saving lives. Every unit of blood and platelets collected at our Blood Donor Center directly supports children undergoing treatments for catastrophic diseases, such as leukemia, sickle cell disease and those preparing for stem cell transplantation.

The impact of blood products is profound. For children with sickle cell disease, regular transfusions help prevent painful episodes and life-threatening complications. Bone marrow transplant patients may require up to 120 units of platelets during treatment, underscoring the importance of on-site donations. Platelet transfusions are also vital for children with thrombocytopenia caused by chemotherapy, helping to prevent uncontrolled bleeding.

Paula Arnold, PhD, faculty director of our human leukocyte antigen (HLA) laboratory, highlights how St. Jude uses innovative HLA-matching technology to ensure patients with complex immune responses receive transfusions their bodies can accept. This cutting-edge system, modernized in 2023, has been instrumental in improving outcomes for patients who are platelet resistant.

Today, we celebrate the generosity and dedication of blood donors whose contributions make this lifesaving work possible. Their selflessness provides support and ensures that patients receive the critical care they need. As Kimberly Spencer Foster, Blood Donor Recruiter, explains, “By donating, you’re giving the gift of life and helping children along their treatment journey.”

To learn more about our Blood Donor Center or if you’re in the Memphis area and interested in donating, visit: https://ow.ly/JWIq50W9lo2.

12/06/2025

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, every corner of campus is designed to foster an environment that nurtures the well-being of patients, families and employees. Led by Chris Burdeshaw, the landscaping team plays a vital role in creating a welcoming atmosphere, and their work goes beyond aesthetics. It’s rooted in stewardship, sustainability and thoughtful resource management.

In recent years, the team has made significant strides in reducing water consumption, cutting costs by two-thirds through the strategic use of perennials and drought-resistant plants. Through other innovative solutions like using drones to clean windows, the landscaping team embodies the St. Jude value of stewardship.

This approach extends to the care of the trees on campus, which are part of a certified Level 2 arboretum. Each tree is carefully monitored for health and treated to ensure longevity. Meanwhile, he’s also creating pollinator habitats to support butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, an effort that brings joy to children and families on campus.

Beyond sustainability, the landscaping team focuses on creating serene spaces for reflection. “We see many employees walk around and enjoy the little Zen areas we try to make,” Burdeshaw said. These spaces provide moments of peace for everyone on campus.

For Burdeshaw and his team, the work is deeply meaningful. “Every morning when these families pull in, they should feel like they've pulled into a different place. When you come through the gate, it should be different from outside the gate,” he says. This vision is coming to life, thanks to their dedication to creating a warm and restorative environment for all.

11/06/2025

St. Jude is proud to announce the expansion of the Together by St. Jude online resource in Spanish, a major step in our mission to support families around the world with trusted, comprehensive resources on childhood and adolescent cancer, blood disorders and other serious health conditions affecting children.

Visit together.stjude.org to learn more.

01/06/2025

On National Cancer Survivors Day, we honor the resilience of cancer survivors and highlight the pioneering research at St. Jude to improve their long-term health and quality of life. Matthew Ehrhardt, MD, MS, is among the researchers and clinicians studying late effects of childhood cancer therapy in the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Through the St. Jude LIFE study, researchers conduct health evaluations and surveys every five years to monitor the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors. With over 6,000 participants, this study helps us understand late effects of cancer treatment, predict who may develop them and identify ways survivors can prevent or manage these effects.

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), a collaborative effort of 31 institutions with more than 38,000 participants operated by St. Jude, examines the long-term effects of childhood cancer and its treatments. By comparing survivors with siblings, CCSS identifies risk factors for adverse outcomes and informs strategies to improve survivorship care.

St. Jude is also facilitating childhood cancer survivorship research worldwide through the survivorship portal, a part of the St. Jude Cloud ecosystem. The portal is a big data platform that incorporates clinical and genomic information, creating an unprecedented research system for childhood cancer survivorship.

“I love the opportunity to interact with kids in my active leukemia and lymphoma clinic and adults in the long-term follow-up clinic,” Ehrhardt said. “It allows me to engage with people across the life spectrum at different ages and stages of development.”

At St. Jude, we are committed to advancing survivorship research, developing long-term follow-up guidelines and leveraging global networks to improve care so that childhood cancer survivors may live longer, healthier lives.

Learn more about our survivorship programs: ow.ly/Xu2950W1On8

30/05/2025

Next week, the St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program kicks off the fourth year of its 8-week High School Research Immersion (HSRI) program. Rising seniors from Memphis and surrounding counties will participate in an educational and immersive research experience focused on biomedical science.

Students will be paired and placed in labs across the St. Jude research enterprise, focusing on basic and translational science and clinical research. Faculty and staff will oversee students as they learn, conduct and analyze their projects before showcasing their findings through scientific poster sessions at the conclusion of the program.

Mahin Hasani, a student who participated last year, reflected by saying “this experience has been major for me, because I gained experience in research, which can be a steppingstone to help me pursue my career.”

Early hands-on experience is valuable for helping these students inform decisions on future careers. Jensen Sloan Carruth, an aspiring doctor, treasured her time in a clinical lab, noting it provided her with “valuable experience in patient care by emphasizing the importance of a patient-first approach.”

Over the next two months, 50 students will receive authentic research experiences like Hasani and Carruth. We’re excited to see their research in July!

27/05/2025

At St. Jude, advancing care for children with brain tumors means pushing the boundaries of research and treatment. This , Aditi Bagchi, MD, PhD, Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Oncology, shares her work on the SJiMB21 trial —an innovative clinical trial for infants and young children with medulloblastoma, a type of pediatric brain tumor.

By using methylation based molecular classification and clinical risk to guide treatment intensity, the trial is redefining how we approach brain tumor care by prioritizing patient survival and well-being. The goal is to give every child the best chance at a cure while reducing long-term side effects, including effects on learning and development.

Learn how through collaboration between researchers and clinicians this innovative trial is shaping the future of brain tumor treatment and paving the way for better outcomes for young patients.

24/05/2025

Seven years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital launched St. Jude Global, an initiative that uses a multi-layered approach to ensure children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases have access to quality care and treatment. This anniversary reflects the vision of James R. Downing, MD, who has focused on bringing the lifesaving mission of St. Jude to the world since he took the helm as president and CEO in 2014.

Under Downing’s leadership and the guidance of Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD, director of St. Jude Global, the initiative has worked to build a global community focused on advancing cures for pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases through workforce development and the enhancement of country-specific and regional capacity for treatment and care.

The St. Jude Global Alliance and the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer have been pivotal in building this capacity. By coordinating research efforts, St. Jude Global aims to derive insights from every child affected by cancer. As of today, the St. Jude Global Alliance includes more than 337 member institutions and foundations in 77 countries.

The Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines has also made significant strides. This year, its first shipments were delivered to five pilot countries, marking an important step in addressing survival rate disparities in resource-limited settings. In total, 12 countries are co-designing solutions in collaboration with stakeholders from government agencies, private sector partners, academic institutions, NGOs and others to tailor approaches to their unique needs. This Global Platform aspires to provide medicines to treat approximately 120,000 children in 50 countries in its first seven years.

As we celebrate the seventh anniversary of St. Jude Global, we remain committed to a future where every child, regardless of where they live, has access to life-saving treatments. Through continued collaboration with partners around the world and the expansion of its reach through regional hubs, St. Jude Global strives to accelerate innovation and deliver hope to children and families everywhere.

Learn more about St. Jude Global at global.stjude.org.