St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

On Wednesday, St. Jude Bike to Work Day brought employees cycling from areas across Memphis to campus, with bike “trains” led by our dedicated ride leaders. Whether riding independently or with a group, participants were cheered on as they arrived on campus. Julie Richardson, a senior clinical pharmacy specialist, loves biking around the city. This year, she joined the Bike to Work event for the first time and enjoyed meeting fellow St. Jude employees who share her passion for cycling. "The weather was perfect, and it was a great opportunity to connect with new people at work who also like to ride," said Richardson. Throughout the week, employees joined educational sessions, wellness activities and shared their love for cycling. Every event was an opportunity for employees to connect and engage, building a stronger – and healthier – workforce. #BikeToWorkDay

Children with a nonfunctional ELP1 gene are predisposed to Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) -medulloblastoma, a malignant pediatric brain tumor, but the underlying mechanism has remained unclear. New findings from St. Jude researchers reveal that ELP1 germline deficiency indirectly dampens the tumor suppressor protein p53, increasing the risk of SHH-medulloblastoma. The study also identified a promising targeted therapy: MDM2 inhibitors, which restore p53 activity and extend survival in preclinical models. “We made the initial discovery of ELP1 deficiency predisposing children to SHH-medulloblastoma seven years ago, but now we’ve worked through its mechanism to an actual pharmacological intervention,” said Paul Northcott, PhD, director of the St. Jude Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences. These findings could pave the way for adding MDM2 inhibition to clinical trials for SHH-medulloblastoma, a particularly exciting prospect given the ongoing evaluation of multiple MDM2 inhibitors in clinical trials. Read more about this breakthrough: https://ow.ly/LeGy50VTlFy

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is paving the way for global innovation in pediatric oncology through the GLOBOTRK clinical trial. This groundbreaking effort is testing the targeted therapy entrectinib as a first-line treatment for young children with NTRK or ROS1 fusion–positive brain tumors. During Brain Tumor Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the way this trial is offering hope for improved outcomes while reducing long-term side effects. GLOBOTRK is expanding access to this cutting-edge therapy worldwide, particularly in resource-limited settings. “This is the first St. Jude–led clinical trial that will open in resource-limited countries,” said Daniel Moreira, MD, MEd, co-director of the St. Jude Global Neuro-Oncology program. “We are discovering and learning how to run a global trial, overcoming steep learning curves to get children access to these new cancer therapies.” The stage was set for GLOBOTRK by several other studies that tested the safety and efficacy of entrectinib, including an earlier study led by Elizabeth Fox, MD, senior vice president of Clinical Trials Research at St. Jude, using the drug in the relapsed disease setting. In that earlier study, “We followed all of these patients for over two years and saw a rapid and durable response with few side effects,” said Fox. Those positive results are now inspiring GLOBOTRK. By leveraging innovative science and global collaboration, St. Jude is working to redefine how targeted therapies can transform pediatric cancer care. Learn more about GLOBOTRK and the future of pediatric oncology: https://ow.ly/Iveb50VTkQa

Last week, more than 40 St. Jude employees dedicated their time at the fourth annual Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South Inspire Career Exploration Fair where they engaged with over 2,500 eighth-grade students from across Memphis. Over the course of the three-day event, our St. Jude volunteers guided students interested in STEM industries through interactive learning experiences. For clinical experience, students learned how to perform chest compressions on CPR mannequins while they reviewed slides under a microscope to gain a research perspective. "I’m passionate about helping young people discover their strengths and potential career paths,” said Andranette White, a teacher in the School Program. “I believe early exposure to different industries and real-world skills can make a huge difference in students’ futures, and Junior Achievement Inspire provides an engaging platform to do just that.” St. Jude is committed to empowering and educating the next generation, inspiring young minds to drive future breakthroughs in science and medicine.

This Mother's Day, we celebrate the incredible bond between two St. Jude nurses—a mother and daughter who inspire each other daily through their shared passion for patient care. Ashley Nichols MSN, NE-BC, CPAN, CAPA, and her mom, Gerri Young, are shining examples of how love, dedication and family can amplify the impact of the mission at St. Jude. Nichols’ journey into nursing was deeply influenced by her mother, who encouraged her to pursue a career helping others. “Nursing was always familiar to me,” said Nichols, now a pediatric oncology nurse III in Interventional Radiology. “It felt like a natural fit once I started down that path.” Her experience at St. Jude inspired her mother to join the team in 2022, reigniting her passion for nursing after years in adult care. “Ashley encouraged me to apply to St. Jude. She found her work here so meaningful and thought I would too. She was right—this place has completely reignited my passion for nursing,” said Young, a licensed practical nurse in Pre-Clinic Assessment. Mother and daughter are proud to share their St. Jude journey, finding joy in quick check-ins, hugs and even lunch breaks together when their schedules allow. “What I love most about nursing is the many ways to contribute—whether it’s bedside care, process improvement or leadership. Every role makes a difference,” Nichols said. Today, we honor Nichols, Young and all the moms who bring motherly love to St. Jude.

Congratulations to Senthil Bhoopalan, MD, PhD, for earning the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) Young Investigator Award for his work in preclinical development of genome editing for Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) syndrome. Bhoopalan has spent the last five years working to change the treatment reality for children with DBA. He used gene therapy to restore a gene that is broken in certain forms of the disease. “Senthil started this project from scratch, used the available tools at hand and has now brought his work to the verge of a clinical trial,” said Mitchell Weiss, MD, PhD, St. Jude Department of Hematology chair. “He’s a physician-scientist who developed a new treatment approach with his own hands in the lab, and how he’s going to take this treatment all the way to patients. It’s very exciting.” The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) Young Investigator Award was established in 1989 to formally recognize excellence in research in pediatric hematology/oncology.

The DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence is a global recognition that honors nurses who go above and beyond with compassion, care and dedication. Today, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals at St. Jude who have been recognized for their outstanding service—setting a gold standard in the nursing profession and touching countless lives along the way. Maddie McMillan, BSN, RN and Peggy Mestemacher, BSN, RN, CPHON, took the initiative to facilitate a meaningful connection between two patients at St. Jude. Recognizing a new patient’s wish to make a friend, they arranged a meet-and-greet with another patient of the same age and similar interests. Their efforts helped the patients and their families form a genuine bond, sharing experiences and offering mutual support. Andrea Orman, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNML, balances advocacy for nurses’ critical needs with a deep concern for their personal well-being. Over the past 10 years, her growth as a leader and ability to listen, offer perspective and build up others has been both inspiring and impactful to her coworkers. Her willingness to own mistakes, deliver constructive feedback with sensitivity and provide support has made her a trusted mentor to those she leads. Patricia Davis, a surgery PACU nurse and BLS certification instructor, is known for her dedication. She often adjusts her schedule to ensure staff members maintain their certifications and remain able to work. Recently, she exceeded expectations by helping a patient achieve his goal of becoming CPR-certified despite significant physical challenges. Her patience, encouragement and commitment not only empowered the patient to succeed but also exemplified the care she provides to both colleagues and patients. Please join us in celebrating Maddie, Peggy, Andrea and Patricia. Their devotion to their patients reflects the compassion, skill and dedication that define the nursing profession. Thank you for bringing care to every interaction and making a lasting impact through your work. #DAISYAward #StJudeNursing #NursingExcellence #StJudeResearch #pediatricnurses

We are pleased to announce that Hongbo Chi, PhD, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Immunology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Chi has been an integral part of St. Jude since 2007, holding the Robert G. Webster Endowed Chair in Immunology and serving as Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Immuno-Oncology and Associate Director for Basic Research in the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center. "A true innovator in the fields of immunology and immunometabolism, Hongbo’s work is already helping us find cures and save children with catastrophic diseases around the world,” said James R. Downing, M.D., president and CEO of St. Jude. “I look forward to seeing how the Department of Immunology continues to grow and make new discoveries under his leadership.” Chi’s groundbreaking research has transformed our understanding of immunology and immunometabolism. Chi is a pioneer in the field of metabolic reprogramming, shedding light on how these processes influence immune cell development. His work has increased understanding of how mTOR and nutrient signaling pathways impact immune function. Chi is also a leader in systems biology and functional genomics, applying these leading-edge approaches to his immunology work. Recently, Chi and his team have leveraged innovative tools such as CRISPR screening and single-cell analysis to learn more about the metabolic pathways that influence T cell development. “We’re aiming to fill the knowledge gap between cell biology and disease of the immune system by advancing tissue and organismal immunity, and will leverage recent groundbreaking technologies to drive new discoveries,” Chi said. “Overall, we will continue to innovate with the goal of building a world-class immunology department that will contribute to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.” His contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Dr. William E. Paul Distinguished Innovator Award from the Lupus Research Alliance, an NIAID R37 MERIT Award and NCI R35 Outstanding Investigator Award. His election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science further underscores his impact on the field. Chi’s leadership, strategic vision and trailblazing research will propel the Department of Immunology forward, driving progress toward our mission to develop therapies and cures for pediatric catastrophic diseases.

The Science of Childhood Cancer series concludes with "The leukemic niche - endothelial and macrophage control of clonality," by Leonard Zon, MD, Grousbeck Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Zon will discuss how leukemia alters the bone marrow environment, including the role of macrophages and endothelial cells. He will also discuss groundbreaking discoveries from cellular barcoding technologies that reveal new pathways regulating stem cell clonality. Join us Thursday, May 15th, at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET for the season finale. Previous lectures available now: https://ow.ly/g5ur50UPQ49

Congratulations to Richard Finkel, MD, director of the Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics (CENT) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for being named to TIME magazine’s TIME100 Health list of 100 individuals positively influencing global health in 2025. Finkel joined St. Jude in 2020 to lead the creation of CENT, the clinical arm of the Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, expanding the institution’s focus into neurologic disorders. In 2022, he led the first in utero treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), demonstrating the feasibility of treating the disease prenatally. “Richard is a pioneer in pediatric neuromuscular diseases. His work is bringing hope and healing to children with spinal muscular atrophy around the world,” said James R. Downing, M.D., president and CEO of St. Jude. “This recognition underscores Richard’s dedication to creating a better, healthier world.” His contributions to pediatric neuromuscular research, including SMA, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and inherited neuropathies, have shaped progress in the field and inspired hope for patients worldwide. Read more about his groundbreaking work: https://ow.ly/yssy50VPjik #TIME100HEALTH