Celebrating Women’s History Month

St. Jude celebrates and honors the inspiring women who work in our bench-to-bedside environment, lead labs, provide clinical care and keep our hospital operating efficiently. The hospital’s cohesive relationship between clinicians and research investigators provides a collaborative landscape where women flourish and excel.

Our History

Pathologist Dorothy Williams pinpointed two of the first specific genetic translocations associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the 1980s. Deputy Clinical Director Pat Flynn, MD, helped form the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Unit in the 1990s. Computational Biology chair Jinghui Zhang, PhD, led the development of a better computer tool for finding the genetic missteps that fuel cancer in 2011.

The research of Pharmaceutical Sciences member Mary Relling, PharmD, has helped change the landscape of the clinical implementation of pharmacogenomics testing. The research findings of Infectious Diseases chair Elaine Tuomanen, MD, have had important implications for treatment and strategies in the world of infectious diseases and the leading invasive bacterial pathogens in children. As director of the Cancer Survivorship Division, Melissa Hudson, MD, has focused on ensuring survivors of childhood cancer thrive after treatment with reduced side effects.

Pat Flynn, Walter Hughes, Wren Kennedy — Pat Flynn, MD (far left) with colleagues.

Our Present and Future

Pioneering women at St. Jude are making research advances in the areas of aggressive brain tumors, immunodeficiency diseases, cognitive challenges in childhood cancer survivors, blood-forming stem cells, gene therapy, COVID-19 and pneumococcal infections. These scientists carry on the legacy set by those before them and help set the bar for innovative progress in the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Read more about our incredibly talented and pioneering women who are leaders in their fields and share their stories across social media by tagging @StJudeResearch and #WomensHistoryMonth

Explore the St. Jude Timeline

Research Stories

Martine Roussel, PhD, Tumor Cell Biology

Martine Roussel, Ph.D., is first female researcher at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to receive a commissioned portrait. Read more about her accomplishments.
Jola Dowdy, Hematology

Learn how Jolanta "Jola" Dowdy helped St. Jude researchers cure X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1), a rare genetic disorder.
Liza Emanus, Surgery clinical research associate

Read how a longtime employee is educating newcomers about the hospital.
Mary Jo Freeman, Diagnostic Imaging

With a strong support system of women in her life, Mary Jo Freeman has advanced from a hopeful student to a seasoned MRI specialist. Find out about her journey at St. Jude.
Tanja Mittag, PhD, Structural Biology

Five-year grant will aid in the study of mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.
Heather Conklin, PhD, Psychology

St. Jude scientists are studying the risk factors associated with cancer treatments and its effects on cognition.
Jinghui Zhang, PhD, Computation Biology chair

St. Jude researchers developed a cloud-based, data-sharing platform, which is the world’s largest pediatric cancer genomic data resource.
Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti, PhD, Immunology vice-chair

Immunologists have determined the process driving life-threatening inflammation, lung damage and organ failure in patients with COVID-19, sepsis and other inflammatory disorders suggesting possible treatment using existing drugs.
Sara Federico, MD, Oncology

Sara Federico, MD, received the NCI award for substantial impact in the field of childhood solid tumors through the development and conduct of clinical trials.
Nicole Chapman, PhD, Immunology

Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have identified how metabolic signaling pathways influence key immune cells with implications for treating autoimmune disorders and cancer.
Tanja Mittag, PhD, Structural Biology

Award recognizes her contributions in the field of biophysics
Martine Roussel, PhD, Tumor Cell Biology

Martine Roussel, PhD, is renowned for investigations into molecular-level causes of cancer and strategies in developing new treatments for pediatric brain tumors. Read about her journey.
Jinghui Zhang, PhD, Computation Biology chair

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists lead genome analysis to better understand one of the most common childhood solid tumors.
Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti, PhD, Immunology vice-chair

The National Cancer Institute award provides extended support for researchers to pursue projects with groundbreaking cancer research potential
Stacey Schultz-Cherry, PhD, Infectious Diseases

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists report that respiratory bacteria aid spread of flu virus .
Johnnie Bass, PhD, Rehabilitation Services

Research shows that severe hearing loss in childhood cancer survivors is associated with neurocognitive deficits independent of type of therapy.
Emilia Pinto, PhD, Pathology

Genomic research helps explain why some people with a common TP53 mutation widespread in Brazil get cancer while others do not.
Martine Roussel, PhD, Tumor Cell Biology

Researchers worldwide can access orthotopic patient-derived xenograft models to speed discovery and test novel therapies for childhood brain tumors.
Dylan Graetz, MD, MPH, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellow

Dylan Graetz, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatric hematology-oncology fellow at St. Jude, has received a Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Shondra Miller, PhD, director, Center for Advanced Genome Engineering

Shondra Miller, PhD, director of the Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, shares an important lesson and valuable skill young scientists must learn.

Clinical Care Stories

Heather Brandt, PhD, HPV program director

Heather Brandt, PhD, joined the hospital last summer to lead the hospital’s new HPV Cancer Prevention Program. Learn how her career’s work will help guide this important initiative.
Melissa Bourque, PharmD, Pharmacy

Clinical pharmacist Melissa Bourque dispenses the details of how her career in medicine took shape. Read more about her path to St. Jude.
Hana Hakim, MD, Infectious Diseases:

Hana Hakim leads program to ensure healthy, safe environment for patients, families and staff.
Jessie Morgan, PhD, Children’s GMP

It’s been a year since Dr. Jessie Morgan learned she had cancer. She comes to work as a staff scientist with a new appreciation for her work, her family and for life.
Angel Parker, RN, Nursing

Learn how Angel Parker made a career from years of caregiving experience.
Li Zhao, PhD, Radiation Oncology

Find out how medical physicists work with clinicians to ensure the effective delivery of proton therapy treatment.
Kim Nichols, MD, Oncology

Research sheds light on cytokine storm syndromes and how ruxolitinib may benefit patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Kiri Ness, PhD, Epidemiology and Cancer Control

Kiri Ness, Ph.D., is the 2020 recipient of the Helen J. Hislop Award for Outstanding Contributions to Professional Literature.
Sahaja Acharya, MD, Radiation Oncologist

Sahaja Acharya, M.D., a radiation oncologist at St. Jude, has received a 2020 Career Development Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Conquer Cancer foundation.
Melissa Hudson, MD, Cancer Survivorship director

St. Jude investigator Melissa Hudson, M.D., is named the 2020 recipient of the Northwestern Mutual Award for Excellence in Childhood Cancer Survivorship by the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
Erica Kaye, MD, Oncology

Erica Kaye, MD, shares her family’s journey to becoming physicians and how meaningful connections have deepened her understanding of her role in caring for patients.
Emily Browne, DNP, RN, CPNP, director, Transition Oncology Program

Emily Browne, DNP, RN, CPNP, director of the Transition Oncology Program and pediatric nurse practitioner at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shares how her clinical and research career was shaped by a leukemia diagnosis.
Holly Spraker-Perlman, MD, Quality of Life and Palliative Care Division

Holly Spraker-Perlman, MD, faculty member in the St. Jude Quality of Life and Palliative Care Division, shares how volunteering as an emergency medical technician sparked her decision to become a physician.
Niki Jurbergs, PhD, Psychology

Niki Jurbergs, PhD, an associate faculty member in the Psychology Department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shares how her health care career was shaped by an intense moment with a patient and family.
Valerie Crabtree, PhD, chief of Psychosocial Services

Valerie Crabtree, PhD, chief of Psychosocial Services at St. Jude, learned about being a psychologist when she was in elementary school. By the time she was in high school, volunteering at a Dallas hospital sealed her decision to care for hospitalized children.
Jane Hankins, MD, MS, Hematology

Jane Hankins, MD, MS, faculty member in the Hematology Department, describes how different periods in her life shaped who she has become as a physician and scientist.
Nehali D. Patel, MD, director, Infectious Diseases Clinic

Nehali D. Patel, MD, director in the Infectious Diseases Clinic, says her mother and father modeled being of service to others and played a key role in her decision to pursue medicine.

Supportive Care Services Stories

Pat Keel, executive vice president and chief administrative and financial officer

Pat Keel's promotion includes oversight of numerous departments vital to campus operations
Kimberly Russell, Chaplain Services:

Learn how St. Jude chaplain Kimberly Russell helps non-verbal patients communicate spiritual needs.
Deanna Tremblay, Academic Programs

Inspired by her global adventures, postdoc recruiter Deanna Tremblay of Academic Programs seeks world-class scientists.
Letita Aaron, HR

Learn how a human resources professional connects employees with each other and the community.
Amy Kennedy, Child Life

Amy Kennedy helps patients navigate difficult moments. Read about the child life specialist’s role at St. Jude.
Regina Kolaitis, PhD, Liaison Officer

Scientist turned liaison Regina Kolaitis of the St. Jude Liaison Office explains the breadth and depth of hospital’s research efforts to a non-scientific audience.
Lorena Loa-Martinez and Miriam Loa Velasquez, Food Services
Vani Shanker, PhD, Scientific Editing

From bench scientist to scientific editor: Vani Shanker, PhD, of Scientific Editing revised her career plans.
Linda Smith, HR

From hospitality to human resources: Linda Smith of Human Resources changed careers to help St. Jude advance its mission.
Maricarmen Windisch, Professional Services

Learn how Maricarmen Windisch of Professional Services made Memphis and St. Jude her home.
LaResa Young, Legal Services

Learn more about the role of Legal Services in hospital operations.
Regina Kolaitis, PhD, Liaison Office

Regina Kolaitis, PhD, a project leader in the St. Jude Liaison Office, shares how receiving a research award connected her research and the people who benefit from it.