Melanie Helms is a synthetic chemist with a global perspective and a deep curiosity about how cells respond to biochemical and environmental changes. She started her academic journey in the Freshman Research Initiative at UT Austin, where she worked to optimize inert synthesis pathways for the development of a sigma-2 receptor high-affinity ligand library. After graduating, she moved to Japan where she worked for a few years before deciding to pursue her master’s in medical science at Kyoto University. For her thesis, she completed prodrug control of a self-assembling small molecule therapeutic shown to reduce ER-stress induced cell death by interaction with misfolded proteins. This time deepened her interest in biochemical systems and international communication. These diverse experiences have shaped her multidisciplinary approach to scientific inquiry and her dedication to translational research with global impact.
Melanie’s research interests lie in how cells and cellular processes adapt and respond to challenges in their environment. In particular she is curious about cell signaling, membrane permeability, and autophagy pathways; essentially how things get into cells and are allowed to stay there. Melanie is motivated by the potential to develop novel solutions to longstanding biomedical challenges. Her work is guided by a commitment to collaborative science that bridges disciplines and borders. She joined the Biomedical Sciences PhD program at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to pursue her goal of becoming a leader in globally cooperative translational research. At St. Jude, she is excited to work alongside world-class scientists and contribute to discoveries that extend care and cures to children around the world.
Hometown: Georgetown, TX
Education:
2025 - MS, Medical Science – Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
2018 - BSA, Biochemistry and English – The University of Texas at Austin
Awards/Honors/Scholarships:
2024 - Yoneyama Memorial Fund Scholar, Rotary International