Cancer Education and Outreach Program

Gwen Alexander, PhD
Program Manager
Email: Gwen.Alexander@stjude.org
Phone: 901-500-7507

Education:
BS – Spelman College
PhD – University of Wisconsin - Madison

Gwen Alexander is a part of the Cancer Education and Outreach Program team at St. Jude, a community outreach program which aims to increase diversity of the biomedical workforce by addressing inequities in K-12 STEM education.

Alexander’s primary focus includes oversight of the High School Research Immersion Program, an eight-week mentoring and hands-on laboratory experience program with St. Jude scientists and the MemSTEMM Ambassadors Classroom, a professional development program for scientists to enhance their science communication skills. Through intentional partnerships, Alexander furthers the program’s outreach effort by assisting in the design and development of innovative STEM-focused educational content for teachers and the greater community.

Prior to joining St. Jude, Alexander was a science educator for more than a decade, developing and teaching science curriculum at the college and high school levels. She also served on advisory task forces and as advisor to several campus organizations and clubs.

Alexander holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Spelman College and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Her postdoctoral fellowship work was completed in the Centers for Vascular Biology and Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia.

Robyn Pennella, MPH
Program Coordinator
Email: Robyn.Pennella@stjude.org
Phone: 901-378-6760

Education:
BS – University of Memphis
MPH – University of Memphis

Robyn Pennella is part of the Cancer Education and Outreach Program at St. Jude. She is responsible for training college interns and working with teachers to co-create, implement, and evaluate PreK-12 educational curriculum with our school partners. Pennella aims to construct meaningful and authentic science learning experiences by drawing upon tenants of justice-oriented pedagogy, project-based learning, and 3-dimensional science learning frameworks. 

Pennella served as a college intern at St. Jude for two years prior to joining the St. Jude staff fulltime. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Health degree from The University of Memphis. 

Anika Britton, MAT
Program Coordinator
Email: Anika.Britton@stjude.org
Phone: 901-569-3110

Education:
BS – University of Memphis
MA – Union University

Anika Britton is part of the Cancer Education and Outreach Team at St. Jude which aims to promote diversity within science and STEM education to improve the success rate for underrepresented minorities in STEM careers.

In her role, she provides support for educators to have access and equity in cancer research education within the urban community and public schools. She is responsible for obtaining, supervising, and training college interns. Britton initiates and maintains partnerships with elementary and middle schools within Memphis Shelby County Schools and neighboring districts for facilitation of after school clubs, career fairs, and science ambassadors. She also plans and organizes day to day activities to assist with designing and developing innovative cancer-focused educational curriculum for K-12 students and cancer education content for the public.

Prior to joining St. Jude, Britton served as an Advance Placement Biology Teacher, STEM Instructor and Professional Learning Coach within Memphis Shelby County Schools. While in that career, she was also a mentor for the Technology Student Association and Science Olympiad Clubs where she successfully led these chapters in local, state, and national STEM competitions. During this time, she inspired a team of educators, parents, and students to constantly seek innovative solutions to scientific questions and provide the best educational experiences for her students.

Britton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public health from The University of Memphis and a Master of Art in Teaching from Union University. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family.