St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

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.

Collaborative research between St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and University College London highlights the long-term safety and efficacy of gene therapy for hemophilia B. This 13-year follow-up study, the longest reported for any hemophilia B gene therapy, demonstrates sustained factor IX levels, an over 80% reduction in annualized bleeding rate and minimal toxicities. “The key benefit is that gene therapy is a one-time, simple intravenous infusion that’s very straightforward to do and potentially has positive effects for a lifetime,” said Andrew Davidoff, MD, St. Jude Department of Surgery chair. These findings underscore the transformative potential of gene therapy as a one-time treatment for this rare bleeding disorder, offering profound hope for improved quality of life and reduced dependence on lifelong supplementation of clotting factors. “For these 10 patients, the factor levels are stable and have been at the same level across these 13 years,” said Ulrike Reiss, MD, St. Jude Department of Hematology. “Further, we have not seen any side effects or toxic events in the long-term follow-up.” Learn more about how this research is paving the way for durable, innovative treatments for hemophilia B. https://ow.ly/g3lK50W8me4

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, postdoctoral researcher Priyanka Dogra, PhD, is advancing our understanding of nucleolar phase separation—a process that plays a pivotal role in ribosome formation. Her research examines how cancer cells hijack this process to meet their heightened protein production needs, uncovering potential therapeutic strategies to combat cancer at its most fundamental level. Dogra attributes much of her success to mentorship. "Throughout my scientific journey, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have mentors who shaped my technical expertise and profoundly influenced my approach to science and understanding its impact," she said. At St. Jude, guidance from Richard Kriwacki, PhD, and others in Structural Biology has helped her navigate the intersection of basic biophysical research and cancer biology. "My mentors’ trust in me continues to fuel my determination to excel, not just for myself, but to honor the investment they made in my growth," she said. With state-of-the-art facilities, a collaborative culture and a direct connection to patient care, St. Jude provides an unparalleled environment for researchers to make discoveries that benefit patients worldwide. Read more about Dogra’s inspiring research and mentorship journey: https://ow.ly/vxIl50W6j78

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital stands as a global leader in pediatric immuno-oncology, driving innovation in cancer immunotherapy since the development of virus-specific T cell therapy over 30 years ago. As the field continues to evolve, St. Jude remains at the forefront, pioneering transformative approaches to improve patient outcomes. Through landmark discoveries, St. Jude researchers have made significant strides in immunotherapy, uncovering novel ways to harness the immune system to fight cancer. From developing groundbreaking cell-based therapies to advancing the science of immune checkpoint inhibitors, these breakthroughs are shaping the future of pediatric cancer care and offering new possibilities for patients who previously had limited treatment options. The Translational Cell Therapy Program at St. Jude is a central hub for collaboration and innovation that bridges laboratory research with clinical care. By integrating cutting-edge science with patient-centered treatment, the program accelerates the development of life-saving therapies. This seamless “bench-to-bedside” approach ensures that discoveries move swiftly from the lab to the clinic, providing children with access to the most advanced treatments available. During Cancer Immunotherapy Month, we highlight the innovations of researchers, such as Stephen Gottschalk, MD, who push the boundaries of what is achievable in medicine.

Today, we celebrate 32 scientists and clinicians who earned their degrees from the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The graduates have completed a Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences or a Master’s in Global Child Health, Clinical Investigations, or Biomedical Sciences. Each program is designed to equip the next generation of leaders in research, medicine, and global health. This year’s commencement celebrates a significant milestone—the 10th anniversary of the Graduate School. Since its inception, the Graduate School has awarded degrees to more than 100 students committed to advancing cures and enhancing care for children worldwide. "This is not an end, but a new beginning, a launchpad for a lifetime of discovery, impact, and intellectual and personal fulfillment,” said Dean of the Graduate School Steven Varga, PhD. “The world awaits your expertise, your unique perspectives and your resolute commitment to excellence."

Melissa Hudson, MD, Director of the Cancer Survivorship Division, has been honored with the Pediatric Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). This award, presented annually at the ASCO Annual Meeting, recognizes outstanding leadership and achievement in pediatric oncology, including contributions to research, clinical care and advocacy. Hudson has dedicated her career to advancing pediatric cancer survivorship care. Since joining St. Jude in 1989, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including her leadership of the After Completion of Therapy (ACT) Clinic. Under her direction, the clinic evolved into a model of risk-based survivor care, integrating education, screening and prevention to address the unique health needs of childhood cancer survivors. Her influence extends beyond St. Jude through her previous work with the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) as founding co-chair of the Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer, and her leadership in the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group. Hudson also serves as principal investigator of the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study and as a member of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Executive Committee. We congratulate Dr. Hudson on this well-deserved recognition of her contributions to pediatric oncology and survivorship care.

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: https://ow.ly/Xu2950W1On8 #NCSD2025

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. Among this year’s mentors is Daniel Blair, PhD, from the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics. “People have the power to do great things when they’re put in the right environment and that’s what I feel we do here with the students.” Blair, who will be participating in his third summer as a mentor, is dedicated to ensuring his students gain a comprehensive understanding of research. Lauren Demery, who originally aspired to become a clinician, worked in Blair’s lab last summer and explained how his mentorship inspired her to pursue a career in research. “I learned that there are many other opportunities in STEMM beyond the clinic,” said Demery. “Working in Dr. Blair’s lab has opened my eyes to how you can contribute to public health through research, and I am super grateful that he was our mentor.” Over the next two months, 50 students will receive an authentic research experience and mentorship like Demery. We’re excited to see their research at the conclusion of the program!

Childhood cancer survivors face unique health risks later in life and new research sheds light on critical factors that influence their vulnerability to secondary cancers. The study highlights the significant contributions of genetics and pediatric cancer treatment exposures to the risk of developing second cancers, which remain the leading cause of mortality for long-term survivors. Using data from two of the world’s largest childhood cancer survivor cohorts—St. Jude LIFE and the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS)—researchers analyzed over 10,000 survivors to quantify how treatment exposures, genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors impact second cancer risk. Radiation exposure emerged as the most significant contributor, accounting for 40% or more of the risk. “Our findings showed that genetics can be equally or more important than chemotherapy in some second cancers, which is counter to conventional wisdom in the field,” said Yadav Sapkota, PhD. This insight underscores the need for clinicians to integrate genetic screening into long-term care plans for survivors and adopt personalized approaches to monitoring and prevention. Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, contributed far less to second cancer risk among survivors in their 20s and 30s, but researchers emphasize that healthy choices remain vital for mitigating other late effects, like cardiac health. Sapkota noted, “Survivors armed with the knowledge of their unique combination of treatment-related, genetic and lifestyle risk factors could better advocate to their health care providers about the need for such screening.” This research calls for a shift in how care is delivered to childhood cancer survivors, emphasizing the integration of genetic predisposition into risk assessments and screening protocols. By leveraging these findings, medical professionals can better prevent, detect and treat secondary cancers, ultimately improving outcomes and extending survivors’ lives. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Rmt050W0wse

At St. Jude, advancing care for children with brain tumors means pushing the boundaries of research and treatment. This #BrainTumorAwarenessMonth, 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.