St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

10/16/2026

Leadership paths are rarely predictable. That's one of the ideas behind Leadership Insights, a new series connecting St. Jude Graduate School students with leaders from across St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Science and Medicine and beyond.

The inaugural session featured Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD, executive vice president and St. Jude Department of Global Pediatric Medicine chair, who reflected on the experiences that shaped his journey from pediatric oncologist to global health leader.

He encouraged students to embrace new opportunities, stay true to their values and have the courage to step outside their comfort zones.

"You need to make the conscious decision to step outside of your comfort zone if you want to grow," Rodriguez-Galindo said. "You jump and the net will appear. It might not appear right away, but you need to be brave."

Thank you, Dr. Rodriguez-Galindo, for sharing your experiences and insights with our students!

10/14/2026

Last Friday was a day of discovery, learning and professional growth at the St. Jude PhD Symposium, where more than 25 graduate students shared their research through oral and poster presentations.

Congratulations to this year's award recipients: Vanessa Meza-Perez (first place and student choice oral presentation), Arika Feils (first place poster presentation), Terri Cain (second place oral presentation), Jemma Clary (second place poster presentation) and Uma Neelakantan (student choice poster presentation).

We are proud of all the students who shared their research with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Science and Medicine community!

09/23/2026

Hear from first-year students share why they chose the St. Jude Graduate School.What inspired these students to choose the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences for their PhD education?

From a collaborative research environment to opportunities for scientific discovery, our first-year PhD students are sharing what made the program the right fit for them.

Ready to take the next step toward a career in biomedical research? Learn more about our PhD program or apply today: bit.ly/4h7mi0F

09/21/2026

Relationships built through mentorship are an important part of the Global Child Health (GCH) MS program. At the 2026 International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP Congress, alumna Alia Ahmad, MD, MS, reconnected with faculty mentor Catherine Lam, MD, MPH, reflecting on a connection that has continued after graduation.

Ahmad, a 2022 graduate of the program and pediatric hematologist-oncologist in Pakistan, focused her master's thesis and Global Scholars Project on promoting early diagnosis of childhood cancer and training healthcare providers in Punjab, Pakistan.

"I'm very grateful for her mentorship when I was a student and as chief mentor for my Global Scholars Project," Ahmad said.

Lam, who teaches the Health Systems and Policy course in the GCH program, views mentorship as a partnership built on shared learning.

"It's such a privilege to be considered a mentor," Lam said. "I'm constantly learning and growing because of the partnership."

Hear how mentorship helped shape Ahmad's project and why these connections continue to make an impact long after graduation.

09/17/2026

The 2026 International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Annual Meeting in San Antonio is a great example of the Global Child Health MS program community in action.

Together at SIOP, current students, Global Scholars and alumni reflect a growing global network of healthcare professionals sharing knowledge to advance pediatric health outcomes in communities around the world. Their presence at SIOP reflects the program's real-world impact and the lasting connections fostered through the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Global network.

Learn more about the Global Child Health MS program: bit.ly/473tuF3

09/15/2026

09/08/2026

The St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences welcomes Thomas Laughner, PhD, as associate dean of student and faculty affairs. Bringing more than 30 years of higher education experience, Laughner will help advance the Graduate School’s commitment to excellence in education, research and professional development.

“Dr. Laughner is an exceptional addition to the Graduate School’s senior leadership team, contributing innovative perspectives and a proven track record of supporting student and faculty success,” said Steven Varga, PhD, St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences dean.

Laughner joins St. Jude from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he served as director of the Teaching and Learning Center and associate professor in the College of Graduate Health Sciences.

Please join us in welcoming Laughner to the St. Jude Graduate School community! Read the full announcement: bit.ly/4xNUwMy

09/03/2026

Applications for the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences opened earlier this week.

Want to learn more before you apply? Join the St. Jude Research Career, Education & Training Virtual Fair on Sept. 22 to meet program leaders, academic recruiters and current students, explore our graduate programs and learn what it’s like to train at the St. Jude Graduate School.

The free virtual fair also offers sessions on interviewing, application tips, life in Memphis and the support services available at St. Jude.

Register today: bit.ly/4xCqMCn

09/01/2026

Applications are now open for the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences!

Whether you’re passionate about biomedical research, global health, data science or clinical investigation, our graduate programs offer opportunities to learn from experts, gain hands-on experience and contribute to discoveries that improve outcomes for children around the world.

Apply to the PhD in Biomedical Sciences, MS in Global Child Health and MS in Applied Biomedical Data Sciences programs by Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. CT. The MS in Clinical Investigations program is accepting applications through Jan. 15, 2027.

Visit our website to learn more and apply: https://gradschool.stjude.org/

09/01/2026

We ❤️ Memphis!