St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Join us on Thursday, October 17, at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET to hear Mark Hatley, MD, PhD, Director of the Division of Molecular Oncology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discuss “Developmental heterogeneity in rhabdomyosarcoma”.   Dr. Hatley will share recent research on the intricate relationship between pediatric cancer and normal developmental processes, utilizing rhabdomyosarcoma as a model system. His findings challenge the traditional assumptions regarding the cell of origin for cancers, emphasizing the potential dangers of these assumptions. Through his work, he has identified cell reprogramming and developmental transdifferentiation as critical mechanisms in the transformation of pediatric sarcomas, providing new insights into the origins of rhabdomyosarcoma in tissues devoid of skeletal muscle.   Register here: https://ow.ly/j7vg50TJeYv

St. Jude recently celebrated the diverse cultures that make up the fabric of the institution at its annual Heritage Fest, where employees from different nations share the music, art and culture from their homelands. With vibrant dances and flavors of traditional foods of each country, employees from 22 nations shared the unique stories and histories that shape who they are. Across the research institution and hospital, St. Jude employees come from 125 different homelands. “Through storytelling sessions, cultural performances and interactive workshops, Heritage Fest aims to deepen attendees’ understanding of different cultures and foster a stronger sense of unity and appreciation,” said Shonda Wilson, senior Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. “It’s an opportunity to connect with coworkers from different backgrounds, share experiences and create meaningful connections that go beyond borders.” This annual event not only celebrates the rich heritage of the St. Jude community but also reminds us that our differences strengthen our collective mission—to provide the best care for children, no matter where they come from.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been recognized as one of the top 10 pediatric cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 17 consecutive years. Evaluated on clinical data and specialist surveys, the hospital excels in areas like bone marrow transplantation and innovative clinical trials. As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center focused solely on children, St. Jude boasts exceptional survival rates for aggressive childhood cancers including acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It has nearly doubled the survival rates for medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. The St. Jude Centers of Excellence focus on leukemia, brain tumors and the use of immunotherapy to treat cancer, continuing to work toward improved outcomes for children with cancer. To ensure children around the globe have access to lifesaving treatments, St. Jude launched the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines with the WHO to improve treatment access in low- and middle-income countries. While many programs for improving access to cancer medicines have been developed, this new platform is the largest in scope and most comprehensive in approach. “Being named one of the top children’s cancer programs every year since the survey began speaks to the incredible contributions our employees make every day in the clinic, in the laboratory and around the world,” said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and chief executive officer. “In the past year, we have made strategic gains in fundamental science, childhood cancer, pediatric catastrophic diseases, global impact, infrastructure, talent and culture. We welcome the best and brightest in the field to join us in our mission to find cures and save children across the nation and throughout the world." Learn more about this accomplishment: https://ow.ly/gejf50THfzt

At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we believe in the power of purpose-driven work. Each role within our institution—ranging from groundbreaking research to compassionate patient care—contributes significantly to our mission: finding cures and saving children. We invite both experienced professionals and those at the outset of their careers to discover how your unique skills and talents can play a vital role in our life-changing mission. During this event, you will gain insights into diverse career paths and learn about the cutting-edge projects happening at St. Jude. 

Over the last decade, we’ve made significant strides in uncovering the molecular foundations of pediatric glioma. While we now understand how these tumors differ from adult brain cancer, many questions still linger. What drives oncogenesis beyond just DNA mutations?    By exploring these mechanisms, we can deepen our understanding of cancer initiation and progression, ultimately leading to better treatments for our young patients.   Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Cynthia Hawkins, MD, PhD, from The Hospital for Sick Children and a professor at the University of Toronto discuss "Oncogenesis in Pediatric Glioma: Moving Beyond the Genome" on Thursday, October 10th at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET. Register here: https://ow.ly/Nr2K50TCFn4

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of researchers through the National Graduate Student Symposium (NGSS). This three-day event offers top PhD candidates an unparalleled opportunity to explore postdoctoral careers, engage in research presentations, and participate in one-on-one meetings with esteemed faculty members. From the rich candidate pool, approximately 15% of attendees secure postdoctoral positions at St. Jude. By nurturing emerging scientists through NGSS and other educational initiatives, St. Jude is strengthening the pipeline for pediatric research, ensuring ongoing innovation and advancement. “Inviting top students to visit the St. Jude campus enhances our chance of recruiting them to St. Jude, and NGSS is crucial in facilitating this process,” said Linda Harris, PhD, Director of Postdoc Talent Acquisition. NGSS not only serves as a recruitment tool for postdoctoral positions but also opens doors to a variety of career paths within academia and beyond. By participating in NGSS, students gain insights into the innovative research environment at St. Jude, fostering meaningful connections that can significantly impact their professional journeys. Nominations are open until October 16. Help shape the future of pediatric research by nominating a deserving PhD student today. Learn more and nominate here: (https://ow.ly/VEI750TCs2T) #PostdocRecruitment #CareerDevelopment #ScientificCareers #PediatricResearch #NGSS #StJude

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has appointed M. Madan Babu, PhD, as its first Chief Data Scientist and Senior Vice President for Data Science. He will lead the new Office of Data Science, fostering a culture of data-driven biomedical research with 115 new positions. The $195 million research enterprise will bring new, advanced computing technologies and data science approaches to biomedical research. “Our ability to quickly analyze huge datasets is becoming increasingly crucial to scientific breakthroughs, particularly when it comes to biochemistry and cell biology,” said James R. Downing, M.D., MD, president and CEO of St. Jude. “Under the leadership of Dr. Babu, a globally recognized expert in this field, our Office of Data Science will strengthen data-sharing between the lab and the clinic, accelerating our progress in finding cures and developing treatments for children with catastrophic diseases.” The explosion of structural data in recent years has increased both the complexity and amount of biological information available to scientists who then translate the data into findings and then cures. The challenge is to integrate and derive actionable information from these large and diverse datasets. "St. Jude is a unique place and I am honored to lead this initiative,” said Babu. “With our intellectual ecosystem of talented clinical, experimental and data scientists united under the same mission, there’s no place better than St. Jude to build a data science enterprise of this magnitude.” Babu joined St. Jude in 2020 and has made pioneering contributions in gene regulation and protein research. He received the 2019 Gold Medal from the European Molecular Biology Organization and was a recent inductee of the Royal Society of London. He has made major contributions in the fields of G-protein coupled receptors, intrinsically disordered proteins and gene regulation. Read more. https://ow.ly/Xxln50TAAQh

Victor Santana, MD, has spent over four decades at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, dedicating his career to advancing pediatric cancer care through clinical trials. His recent contributions to chemo-immunotherapy for high-risk cancers such as neuroblastoma is further pushing the boundaries and has led to significant improvements in survival rates. “We have demonstrated that a chemo-immunotherapy approach is critical for improving the anti-tumor efficacy and survival of children with high-risk neuroblastoma,” he explains. Santana’s work has built on the institution’s legacy of innovation, including key milestones such as the Total Therapy approach for leukemia, which transformed the landscape of pediatric cancer treatment. Along with his colleagues, Santana has expanded this success to solid tumors, contributing to treatments for Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and other difficult-to-treat pediatric cancers. In addition to leading groundbreaking research, Santana’s work extends around the world through the St. Jude Global program, where he focuses on understanding the factors that impact patient family decisions to participate in clinical research. “St. Jude has recognized that in order to do global work, you have to partner with organizations that are policymakers,” he notes. Looking ahead, clinical trials at St. Jude will continue to evolve with advancements in immunotherapy, precision medicine and global collaboration, ensuring children worldwide have access to life-saving treatments. #PediatricOncology #ClinicalTrials #Immunotherapy #CancerResearch #GlobalHealth

Hongbo Chi, PhD, has been inducted as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) at the organization’s annual Fellows Forum in Washington D.C. The honor recognizes his contributions to immunology and immunometabolism. His work in T-cell metabolism and adaptive immunity has led to a deeper understanding of the interplay between metabolism and immunity. “Dr. Chi's contributions to the scientific community are helping children with catastrophic diseases everywhere," said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and CEO. "Other researchers and clinicians are building on his work, especially in the field of immunology, to find new ways to treat patients and improve their overall quality of life.” AAAS, the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science Family of Journals, elects members annually whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science, or its applications, are scientifically or socially distinguished. Chi’s lab has performed pioneering research in immunometabolism, including establishing metabolic reprogramming of cell fate and state and defining mTOR and metabolic checkpoints in immune function and disease. His work is widely referenced, earning him a place on the lists of Highly Cited Researchers in immunology by the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate for four consecutive years. Chi is the 13th St. Jude faculty member selected as an AAAS Fellow. #AAAS #StJudeResearch #Immunology

Join us on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET to hear from Stephanie Halene, MD from Yale University School of Medicine. A leader in RNA biology and its implications for myelodysplasia and other hematological malignancies, Dr. Halene has developed groundbreaking xenotransplantation models and advanced our understanding of RNA splicing factor mutations in MDS. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into her innovative research in “RNA Biology in MDS and Modeling Myelodysplasia.” Register here: https://ow.ly/vM3v50TwE1j