Investigator Insights

Meet the people who conduct research at St. Jude as they share their stories of life in science.

5 Questions for Yuliana Díaz Tirado

Heather Johnson and Yuliana Diaz Tirado

Meet St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences PhD student Yuliana Díaz Tirado.

5 Questions for Emily Tonorezos, MD, MPH

Emily Tonorezos, MD, MPH and Alex Generous, PhD

Meet Emily Tonorezos, MD, MPH, incoming Division of Cancer Survivorship director, and learn her plans for continuing St. Jude excellence in survivorship research.

Putting the patient experience at the center of neurology treatment

Arun Solanki

Meet Arun Solanki, MD, whose career journey has taken him from a private pediatric neurology practice to caring for patients with rare neurologic diseases.

5 Questions for Mengzhao (Lucy) Xue, PhD

Mengzhao (Lucy) Xue and LaToyia P. Downs, PhD

Explore the work and achievements of Mengzhao (Lucy) Xue, PhD, as she shares her research journey and what receiving the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award means for her career path.

5 Questions for Layne Pullen

Layne Pullen and Brian O'Flynn, PhD

Meet Layne Pullen, a researcher within the Preclinical Therapeutics Program.

Earlier than early detection: A journey from research to education and training

Saikat Nandy, PhD

Meet Saikat Nandy, PhD, and learn about his journey from actuarial science to education and training. 

From ions to immunotherapy: a career shaped by learning

Meghan Ward, PhD

Meet Meghan B. Ward, PhD, who has gone from researching molecules to designing a clinical trial at St. Jude.

Development opportunities cultivate more complete pediatric oncologists

Katelyn Daniels, MD

Meet Katelyn Daniels, MD, a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellow whose desire to improve patient outcomes led her to pursue a Physician Scientist Instructor position

5 Questions for Kim Nichols, MD

LaToyia P. Downs, PhD and Kim E. Nichols, MD

Meet Kim Nichols, MD, and learn about her work in cancer predisposition research.

5 Questions for Jingjing Chen, PhD

LaToyia P. Downs, PhD and Jingjing Chen

Meet postdoctoral researcher Jingjing Chen, PhD, Department of Hematology, and learn about her research.