Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program People

Originally from Jordan and a graduate of the University of Jordan School of Medicine, I developed my passion for pediatric hematology and oncology during my time as a pediatric resident at King Hussein Cancer Center, one of the leading pediatric cancer centers in the Middle East and a longstanding collaborator in global pediatric oncology initiatives. I later completed my pediatric residency at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, where outstanding mentorship and deeply meaningful patient experiences further strengthened my dedication to this field. My clinical and research interests include pediatric hematologic malignancies, immunohematology, and the rapidly evolving field of cancer immunotherapy. I am also passionate about global pediatric oncology and advancing equitable access to high-quality childhood cancer care through collaboration, education, and clinical research. I was drawn to St. Jude because its mission closely reflects the values that first inspired me to pursue this field. The belief that caring for a child can heal an entire family continues to guide my approach to pediatric medicine, and St. Jude’s commitment to advancing cures and fostering global partnerships strongly resonates with my goals. Outside of medicine, I enjoy swimming, hiking, exploring nature, and spending quality time with my cat. 

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Omaha, Nebraska. Personal experiences led me to have an interest in oncology after a brief stint of studying nutrition sciences as an undergrad at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln left me unsatisfied. I quickly changed my career path to medicine and received my medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. I then shipped off to Detroit, Michigan to complete my pediatrics residency. My first research experience in T-cell computational biology immersed me in the world of immunology, and that has continued to shape my goal of working in bone marrow transplant and cell therapies. I'm a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan (before it was cool to be one) and music fan (as long as it's not modern country).

I grew up in the Raleigh-Durham region of central North Carolina. After being exposed to global health through my mother’s annual cleft-lip-and-palate surgical repair work at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya, I went to college at Yale University to focus on global public health and psychology, then spent a year in global mental health research. I attended medical school at Columbia University, where I was drawn to the field of combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics (“Med-Peds”). During residency in Med-Peds at UNC-Chapel Hill, I fell in love with the care of patients with hematologic malignancies across the lifespan – I will also complete a fellowship in Adult Hematology at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. My clinical interests focus on adolescents and young adults (AYA) and bloodborne cancers, and my research interests focus on implementation science, systems-building, and medical education. My fiancée, Jamila, is a critical care and procedural nurse and is obtaining her doctorate in nursing practice; she spent much of her childhood in Latin America, and we look forward to also splitting our future family’s time and work between the USA and Latin America. Outside of medicine, music has been a lifelong avenue for introspection and growth – from classically trained piano to high school jazz ensemble, college gospel choir, street busking abroad, and medical school musical theater. I am thrilled to join the St. Jude community for its unparalleled commitment to global health, sustainable partnerships, and clinical excellence, and the opportunity to learn in the vibrant city of Memphis.

I grew up in Arlington, TX before studying Neurobiology and African Studies at Harvard College. I completed medical school at Stanford University School of Medicine and an MPH in Health Systems and Policy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health before doing my Pediatrics and Chief Residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center. I have conducted global health research with global health partners in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Sudan, with family roots in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.  My research interests include utilizing implementation science to improve uptake of current diagnostic and therapeutic advancements for sickle cell disease globally. My broader career interests include mentorship and pathway programs for underrepresented in medicine learners, promoting decolonial global health partnership practices, and high quality evaluation in medical education. Outside of medicine, I enjoy live music events (especially R&B and soul music), running, hiking, and going to the movies (love both blockbusters and arthouse films).

I was born and raised outside of a small town in rural Kansas, then headed off to Kansas State University, where I majored in biology and played the viola in the university orchestra. Music became a creative outlet and taught me the value of teamwork and balance – skills I carry with me into medicine. I attended medical school at the University of Kansas-Wichita, where I discovered my love for working with children. My pediatric residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis confirmed that passion. Witnessing the resilience – and occasional sass – of young patients inspired me to pursue a fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I hope to build a career in oncology, bone marrow transplant, and medical education – blending meaningful clinical work with the energy and fun of teaching and learning along the way. When I’m not working, I enjoy getting creative with crafting projects and spending time with friends at trivia nights or playing board games. I also love to travel – there’s nothing like discovering new places and making memories along the way. At home, my cat Gump is a lovable troublemaker who brings plenty of joy (and chaos) to my everyday life.

I was born and raised in Mexico City, where I earned my medical degree with honorable mention from La Facultad Mexicana de Medicina de la Universidad La Salle. I completed my pediatric residency at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, Florida, where I solidified my passion for pediatric hematology/oncology. During residency, I was actively involved in quality improvement initiatives and served as a class representative on the Graduate Medical Education Committee, advocating for residents and contributing to institutional decision-making, and I was honored to be recognized by the attending physicians. It was during fellowship that I discovered my passion for pediatric solid tumors, which has since become the focus of my clinical and academic interests. I am passionate about integrating evidence-based medicine with compassionate, patient-centered care, and I am looking forward to building my academic career in solid tumors here at St. Jude. Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, playing with my dog, and spending time outdoors.

I grew up in a small town in eastern North Carolina after my parents emigrated from the island of Trinidad and Tobago. As a proud Tarheel at UNC Chapel Hill, I developed an early interest in children’s health through studying Biology and Anthropology. I moved to Charleston, SC to attend medical school at MUSC with my husband, Daniel, who is now a general surgery resident. I returned to my home state of North Carolina to complete my pediatrics residency at UNC. Thanks to incredible mentorship during medical school and residency, I fell in love with caring for families and patients undergoing cancer treatment. I am thrilled at the opportunity to train at St. Jude and engage in clinical research to improve the quality of life of patients and families during therapy. Outside of the hospital, I love spending time with my husband, eating BBQ, sharing meals with friends, and finding new places to run. 

Growing up in the northern suburbs of Chicago, I developed a lifelong love of reading and storytelling that led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in English Literature at McGill University. While working as a secretary in the pediatric oncology department after graduation, I became enthralled in the stories patients and families told about their lives inside and outside the hospital. Those stories inspired me to pursue a masters in Reproductive Science and Medicine investigating the impact oncology treatment has on fertility. Seeking to combine my interest of patient-centered care, advocacy, and science, I earned my medical degree at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland before completing my pediatric residency at Maine Medical Center. During my time in residency, I helped lead several initiatives improving child health and physician wellbeing, including the creation of a professional sustainability within the Maine Chapter of the American Academy Pediatrics, designing and implementing a pediatric sickle cell disease vaccine registry that improved vaccination rates statewide, and strengthening community partnerships within the residency wellness committee. My commitment to serving both the local and larger communities continues to guide my work as a physician, educator, and advocate here at St. Jude. I have a clinical interest in quality improvement for both sickle cell disease and oncology survivorship. When I am not at work, I can be found baking chocolate chip banana bread, drinking coffee with my partner and the critter at a duck pond, or watching hockey.  

Hey there! Born and raised in a quaint Indian town, I ventured into medicine and found my passion early on in pediatric hematology oncology. After cutting my teeth as a house officer in Mumbai's bustling pediatric hematology oncology center, I hopped across continents to the Big Apple for residency. New York City's vibrant diversity and its significant sickle cell population captured my heart, sparking a newfound fascination with sickle cell anemia. When I'm not knee-deep in medical texts or at the hospital, you'll likely find me belting out tunes or busting a move. I've got a thing for singing and dancing, both of which I've trained in professionally. And to unwind, I find solace in the kitchen, whipping up culinary delights that could rival any five-star restaurant (or so I like to think!). Here's to combining a love for oncology with a zest for life, ready to make a difference one patient and one dance step at a time! 

I was born in Kerala, India and moved to California as a small child before my family settled in Massachusetts. After receiving my bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross, I was torn between research and medicine.  It was in my first job as a clinical research coordinator at Dana-Farber in Gyn/Oncology, where I realized how rewarding I found patient-facing roles. From there, I went to Wake Forest Medical School in NC and joined several groups, including Brenner Hope, where I found my calling working in pediatrics and more specifically in the Hematology/Oncology field.  I completed my pediatrics residency at UNC in Chapel Hill, NC, and now my wife and 2 cats (Goose and Noodle) are excited to join the St. Jude family! My professional interests include solid tumors, neuro-oncology, and palliative care. Outside of work, I enjoy trying new specialty coffee/ roasters, Karaoke,  photography, and making homemade hot sauces.

Growing up in India, I witnessed the gap between healthcare need and access which ignited a passion for medicine. I completed medical school at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, where I served as Local Officer on Human Rights and Peace for the Medical Student Association of India, leading a team of volunteers to conduct social awareness sessions in schools, mental health awareness sessions in old-age homes, and provide basic education to women and children in underserved communities. These experiences taught me how small, deliberate changes can be profoundly transformative. During my pediatric residency at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, I firsthand witnessed the transformative potential of medicine in hematology and oncology, especially bone marrow transplantation. It offered children not just treatment, but a chance at a different life. I strongly believe that every child deserves persistent, compassionate, excellence-driven care, and I am eager to grow as a clinician and researcher at an institution that shares that belief at its core. Outside of medicine, I enjoy dancing, yoga, cooking, and handmade art, which reminds me that patience and dedication are at the heart of everything meaningful.

I grew up in the Silicon Valley of India - Bangalore and in high school I thought I was predestined to become a software engineer since I loved math and enjoyed programming. But I switched gears to pursue a path in medicine as the sheer complexity of the human body baffled me. At Ramaiah medical college I soon discovered that while I got into medicine for the science it is the humanities of the field that made me fall in love with it. After completing medical school, I decided to stay for an extra year in the position of a junior resident at the department of Hematology-oncology. It is here that I came upon the happy realization that my curiosity and compassion culminated in Oncology. During this tenure I contributed in the ongoing efforts to build a cancer registry which helped me recognize that this wealth of data can be utilized to build machine learning models to help improve cancer care. Eager to work at the intersection of medicine and tech, I embarked on a journey to the US and my first stop was at New York City where I completed my pediatric residency training at Mount Sinai and Elmhurst hospital center. Witnessing immense social disparity in the diverse neighborhoods of New York helped me develop cultural humility and emphasized the need for a holistic approach. I hence wish to utilize these experiences to develop personalized cancer care to minimize suffering and maximize outcomes. At St. Jude, I believe that this dream can be nurtured to fruition. Outside of medicine, I love to read, paint and spend time in nature. I am a theater enthusiast and enjoy Indian classical music. 

During my childhood, I had the opportunity to live in several different countries. Eventually, I settled in Italy, where I pursued medical studies at the University of Perugia. It was during this time that I developed a deep appreciation for foreign cultures and met my now-husband, who joined me on this crazy journey across the globe. Working in various hospitals across Europe and the Middle East helped me discover my passion for pediatric hematology and oncology. This passion led me to pursue fellowship training in the United States. I completed my Pediatric residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, and I am now eagerly anticipating my move to Tennessee to embrace a new lifestyle! During my residency, I developed a keen interest in solid tumors and the regulation of immune responses in sarcoma patients. I am particularly driven to improve the quality of life for sarcoma survivors, especially adolescents and young adults. In the future, I aim to investigate disparities in pediatric cancer survivorship within Eastern Europe. St. Jude offers exceptional resources and a diverse patient population, making it an ideal fit for my career aspirations. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with loved ones. 

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru, where I attended medical school at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. I worked briefly as a general physician during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru before beginning my pediatric residency at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri. Early in my residency, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in pediatric hematology/oncology, and I am now thrilled to begin my fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My research interests include precision cancer medicine, as I find the development of novel targeted therapies with reduced toxicity particularly exciting. When I am not at work, I enjoy working out, playing Pokémon, and listening to pop music (big Ariana Grande fan).

I grew up and spent most of my life in Colorado before moving to Memphis after graduating college. During that time, I worked at St. Jude for several years and discovered my initial interest in pediatrics and oncology. I then attended medical school at the University of Tennessee before moving down to Houston where I completed my residency in pediatrics at Baylor. My wife and I are excited to be heading back to Memphis with our two dogs for fellowship. My professional interests are in solid tumors and cell therapies, and I hope to pursue a career in lab research.

Born in the sunny warmth of Miami, Florida, my family relocated to the “Windy City” of Chicago during my early years. Growing up with a pediatrician mother, I was always drawn to the field. I pursued my undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Science in Human Culture (Go ’Cats!). During my time at Northwestern, I discovered my passion for global health and advancing health equity in children through my involvement in mobile clinics and medical missions across West Africa and Latin America. My journey then led me to Cleveland, Ohio, where I participated in an urban health program working within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). This experience inspired me to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing warm clothing to children around the world. I continued pursuing these passions during medical school at Northeast Ohio Medical University by volunteering at a free clinic and conducting clinical research focused on improving child health. Following medical school, I completed my pediatrics residency at Cleveland Clinic, where I discovered my passion for pediatric hematology/oncology. Caring for children with cancer and blood disorders solidified my commitment to this field and sparked a deep interest in developing new therapies for children with life-threatening diseases. I am thrilled to be training at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where my research focuses on bone marrow transplantation, cellular therapies, and immunotherapy. My long-term goal is to become a physician-scientist dedicated to designing and leading early-phase clinical trials that translate laboratory discoveries into innovative treatments for children with cancer and other hematologic disorders, while continuing to advance equitable access to these therapies worldwide. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, exploring new restaurants with my husband, Zaeem, indulging in interior design and event planning, and spending quality time with my regal cat, Teddy.