Divisional focus

The Division of Cancer Predisposition was formed in 2014 with the overarching mission to combine state-of-the-art clinical care with cutting edge research to enhance the outcomes for children and families at increased genetic risk for cancer. By further elucidating why these tumors form, we aim to enhance the clinical care of affected children and their families.

Our division identifies children with a variety of cancer predisposing conditions and provides guidance regarding initial tumor treatment as well as how to best monitor for the subsequent development of additional tumors. This includes confidential genetic counseling and testing for St. Jude patients, and when appropriate, their parents and siblings. We also implement state-of-the-art protocols for cancer surveillance and prevention. Finally, we serve as a resource on cancer genetics and genetic testing to colleagues within St. Jude as well as to outside providers and families.

Our research projects range in scope from identifying novel genetic causes for cancer, to understanding the factors that influence how parents and adolescents make decisions about, communicate and react to cancer genetic testing. We are a collaborative investigative team and look forward to participating in related research projects being undertaken by colleagues in the Solid TumorNeuro-OncologySurvivorshipLeukemia / LymphomaHematology, and Computational Biology programs. We also actively collaborate with external investigators on cancer genetics-related investigations.

Selected publications

Cancer Predisposition Leadership

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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

    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

Cancer Predisposition Research and Treatment Team

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    Sabrin Albeituni, PhD

    Sr. Scientist

    Sabrin Albeituni, PhD

    Sr. Scientist

    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

    Melinda S. Artz

    Program Coordinator

    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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    Emily Bingham

    Student Intern

    Emily Bingham

    Student Intern

    Contact Information

    Emily Bingham

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    Alise Blake

    Certified Genetic Counselor ll

    Alise Blake

    Certified Genetic Counselor ll

    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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    Sk Mohiuddin Choudhury, DVM, MS, PhD

    Lead Researcher

    Sk Mohiuddin Choudhury, DVM, MS, PhD

    Lead Researcher

    Research Interests

    I am a dedicated viral immunologist with a profound interest in unraveling the cell signaling pathways that govern hyperinflammation. My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation and the inflammasome, particularly on their roles in the context of viral pathogens and cancer.

    As a member of Dr. Nichols’s team, I am committed to advancing our understanding of these complex biological processes and contributing to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hyperinflammatory disorders, immunodeficiency, and cancer. With a passion for scientific discovery and a collaborative spirit, I aspire to make meaningful contributions that drive progress in combating these critical health challenges.

    Contact Information

    Sk Mohiuddin Choudhury, DVM, MS, PhD

    Department of Oncology

    MS MS 343, Room D4022.03

    St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

    262 Danny Thomas Place

    Memphis, TN 38105-3678

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    Aidin Foroutan

    Bioinformatics Research Scientist

    Aidin Foroutan

    Bioinformatics Research Scientist

    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

    LilyAnne Grieve

    Certified Genetic Counselor I

    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

    Claudia Harrison

    Genetic Counselor Assistant

    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

    Lynn Harrison, MPA, CCRP

    Manager - Clinical Operations

    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

    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

    Laura Howell, MLS (ASCPCM), CCRP

    Clinical Research Associate II

    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

    Manish R. Kubal, MBA (MIS), MHA, MSIS

    Database Analyst II

    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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    Rose McGee, MS, CGC

    Certified Genetic Counselor III

    Rose McGee, MS, CGC

    Certified Genetic Counselor III

    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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    Ninad Oak, PhD

    Lead Bioinformatics Research Scientist

    Ninad Oak, PhD

    Lead Bioinformatics Research Scientist

    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

    Arti Pandey, PhD, CGC

    Certified Genetic Counselor l

    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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    Melissa Perrino, MD

    Assistant Member, St. Jude Faculty

    Melissa Perrino, MD

    Assistant Member, St. Jude Faculty

    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

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    Leslie Taylor

    Program Coordinator, Cancer Predisposition

    Leslie Taylor

    Program Coordinator, Cancer Predisposition

    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

    Roshina Thapa, PhD

    Postdoctoral Research Associate

    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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    Paige Turner

    Clinical Research Associate-RN II

    Paige Turner

    Clinical Research Associate-RN II

    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

    Rolanda Woods, MBA

    Lead Researcher

    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

Studies and Clinical Trials


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Faculty, Division of Cancer Predisposition, Oncology Department

We seek a highly motivated, faculty-level investigator (clinician scientist or clinician track) with training in hematology and oncology or clinical genetics and a strong interest and experience in hereditary predisposition to cancer. 


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Division of Cancer Predisposition
MS 1170, Room I3311
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678

Email: GPTeam@stjude.org
Phone: (901) 595-4445
Fax: (901) 595-6086

Preferred contact method: email