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Cancer Predisposition Treatment Team
The Cancer Predisposition Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helps to evaluate and care for children who are at increased genetic risk for cancer. We are a team of doctors, nurses and genetic counselors who work together with families to find out if a child’s cancer might be inherited (passed down through the generations). We work closely with other St. Jude doctors and researchers to find new and better ways to help families who have a higher chance than normal to get cancer.
Faculty
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Kim E. Nichols, MD
Member, St. Jude Faculty
Director, Cancer Predisposition Division
Kim E. Nichols, MD
Member, St. Jude Faculty
Director, Cancer Predisposition Division
Affiliations
Research Interests
- Identifying novel genetic causes of childhood cancer
- Optimizing methods of tumor surveillance for children with increased cancer risk
- Evaluating the factors that influence parent and adolescent decision making and communication around genetic testing for heritable cancer risk
- Understanding the behavioral and psychological impacts of cancer genetic testing on children and their families
- Increasing understanding and developing new therapies for malignant and non-malignant hematologic disorders, including B-cell leukemias and lymphomas, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferations
Contact Information
Kim E. Nichols, MD
Cancer Predisposition
MS 1170, Room I3311
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Melissa Perrino, MD
Assistant Member, St. Jude Faculty
Affiliations
Research Interests
- Identification of germline variants and their role in driving tumor formation
- Refining surveillance guidelines for patients with underlying germline predisposition
- Targetability of tumor and germline variants in cancer therapy and prevention
- Effects of tumor and germline genomic variants on treatment outcome
Contact Information
Melissa Perrino, MD
Cancer Predisposition
MS 1170, Room I3312
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
Staff
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Sabrin Albeituni, PhD
Sr. Scientist
Affiliations
Research Interests
I am a Sr. Scientist with a strong interest in understanding the regulation of T cell responses by myeloid cells during normal immune homeostasis and in conditions of hyperinflammation. My research focuses on investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)- a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by excessive immune cell activation and multi-system organ failure. In the Nichols’ laboratory, our goal is to advance innovative therapeutic strategies to mitigate hyperinflammation and improve clinical outcomes in patients with HLH.
Contact Information
Sabrin Albeituni, PhD
Cancer Predisposition
MS 343, Room D4022
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Melinda S. Artz
Program Coordinator
Affiliations
Contact Information
Melinda S. Artz
Department of Oncology Division of Cancer Predisposition
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Aidin Foroutan
Bioinformatics Research Scientist
Affiliations
Research Interests
I am a Bioinformatics Research Scientist with research interest in developing bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of large “omics” datasets to uncover cell type-specific molecular mechanisms of childhood and adult cancers.
Towards this end, my research focuses on:
- Developing bioinformatics workflows for genomic variant discovery, interpretation, and prioritization related to germline cancer predisposition genes.
- Integrative analysis of multiple omics data to uncover mechanisms of cell type-specific gene dysregulation in cancers.
Contact Information
Aidin Foroutan
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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LilyAnne Grieve
Certified Genetic Counselor I
Affiliations
Research Interests
I am a pediatric cancer genetic counselor whose research interests include:
- Utilizing genetic, family history, and personal history information to guide care of patients with cancer predisposition syndromes.
- Exploring patient coping and understanding related cancer predisposition diagnoses and how these factors evolve in different stages of life.
- Addressing access and barriers to clinical genetics healthcare in underserved communities.
Contact Information
LilyAnne Grieve
Cancer Predisposition Program
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Claudia Harrison
Genetic Counselor Assistant
Affiliations
Contact Information
Claudia Harrison
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Lynn Harrison, MPA, CCRP
Manager - Clinical Operations
Affiliations
Contact Information
Lynn Harrison, MPA, CCRP
Cancer Predisposition
MS 1170, Room I3318
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Stacy Hines-Dowell, DNP, FNP-BC, AGN-BC, ACGN
Lead of Clinical Operations - Division of Cancer Predisposition | Doctor of Nursing Practice | Advanced Practice Provider III
Stacy Hines-Dowell, DNP, FNP-BC, AGN-BC, ACGN
Lead of Clinical Operations - Division of Cancer Predisposition | Doctor of Nursing Practice | Advanced Practice Provider III
Affiliations
Research Interests
My core mission of clinical and translational research is to develop novel approaches for delivery of genetic health education directly to underserved communities. The demarcation of translational research into T1 (bench-to-bedside) and T2 (bedside-to-community) activities corresponds to two significant bottlenecks in clinical research. I'm interested in newborn screening, sickle cell disease and education pertaining to genetics and genomics literacy.
Contact Information
Stacy Hines-Dowell, DNP, FNP-BC, AGN-BC, ACGN
Cancer Predisposition
MS 1170, Room I3331
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Laura Howell, MLS (ASCPCM), CCRP
Clinical Research Associate II
Affiliations
Research Interests
I joined St. Jude in June of 2005 as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in the Molecular Microbiology Lab with the Department of Pathology. I transitioned to Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2011 where I performed therapeutic drug monitoring tests in the PK Clinical Lab. During my time in Pharm Sciences, I got to experience the Total 16 and Total 17 research protocols, which sparked my interest in clinical research. This led me to pursue my role as a Clinical Research Associate in the Division of Cancer Predisposition.
Contact Information
Laura Howell, MLS (ASCPCM), CCRP
Oncology Department
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Manish R. Kubal, MBA (MIS), MHA, MSIS
Database Analyst II
Affiliations
Research Interests
I have worked in different industries and handled data management and analysis requirements. I develop, maintain and update the Cancer Predisposition Division’s clinical and non-clinical databases needed to coordinate protocol research information management while ensuring the consistency of standards, procedures and content. I am assigned to manage all of the division’s data management requirements including integration of information from various disparate systems; data modeling; data analysis; and dissemination of data to various entities that interact with the division.
Contact Information
Manish R. Kubal, MBA (MIS), MHA, MSIS
Cancer Predisposition
MS 260, Room B1109
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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JaQuel Maise
Graduate Student
Affiliations
Contact Information
JaQuel Maise
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
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Rose McGee, MS, CGC
Certified Genetic Counselor III
Affiliations
Research Interests
I am a pediatric cancer genetic counselor with interests in:
- Identification, surveillance and genotype-phenotype correlations of cancer predisposition syndromes. Syndromes of particular interest are constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) syndrome and DICER1 syndrome
- Incorporation of clinical genomics into pediatric cancer care
- Communication of complex information to children of varying ages, assessing impact of illness on the family and pre-symptomatic testing of minors for cancer predisposition
Contact Information
Rose McGee, MS, CGC
Cancer Predisposition
MS 1170, Room I3314
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Alise Blake
Certified Genetic Counselor ll
Affiliations
Research Interests
I am a pediatric cancer genetic counselor with a passion for helping patients and their families navigate complex genetic information and the implications of cancer predisposition syndromes.
Specific research interests include:
- Utilizing genetic information to guide screening and treatment of individuals with cancer predisposition syndromes.
- Exploring Family dynamics, belief systems, and cultural differences as they relate to cancer predisposition syndromes and psychosocial coping strategies
- Identifying gaps in genetics education and building resources to meet the identified needs
Contact Information
Alise Blake
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Ninad Oak, PhD
Lead Bioinformatics Research Scientist
Affiliations
Research Interests
- Genetic Basis of Pediatric Cancer Predisposition: Investigating inherited and somatic genetic variations underlying pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes by leveraging large-scale genomic datasets, including analysis of >6,000 pediatric cancer genomes from St. Jude.
- Functional Genomics in Mouse Models: Utilizing mouse models to perform functional genomics analyses, with a focus on understanding gene regulation and mechanisms of hematopoiesis, as well as their implications for cancer predisposition.
Contact Information
Ninad Oak, PhD
Cancer Presdisposition/Oncology
MS 1135, Room IA6218.5
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Arti Pandey, PhD, CGC
Certified Genetic Counselor l
Affiliations
Research Interests
- Cancer predisposition in pediatric hematological malignancies
Contact Information
Arti Pandey, PhD, CGC
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Leslie Taylor
Program Coordinator, Cancer Predisposition
Affiliations
Research Interests
As we continue to better understand hereditary childhood cancer, I am interested in the process of communication, coordination and knowledge-sharing with patients and families. I know that being a part of the Cancer Predisposition Program at St. Jude, I am able to aid in education as well as early detection of hereditary cancer. As a nurse, you always want to know that you make a difference in someone’s life. That is why I love working at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Contact Information
Leslie Taylor
Cancer Predisposition
MS 1170, Room I3016.04
Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Roshina Thapa, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Affiliations
Contact Information
Roshina Thapa, PhD
Department of Oncology
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
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Tina Thornton
Sr. Administrative Specialist
Affiliations
Contact Information
Tina Thornton
Cancer Predisposition/Oncology
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Paige Turner
Clinical Research Associate-RN II
Affiliations
Contact Information
Paige Turner
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
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Rolanda Woods, MBA
Lead Researcher
Affiliations
Contact Information
Rolanda Woods, MBA
Cancer Predisposition
MS 343, Room D4022
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
