Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
Hongbo Chi, PhD, Department of Immunology chair, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors for outstanding contributions to scientific research and innovation. The NAS recognized Chi for his field-defining work connecting immunology, metabolism and regulatory networks that control adaptive immunity. His research has advanced understanding of immune cell metabolism and function and has helped shape new engineering approaches for next-generation cancer immunotherapies. Chi was among 120 new members and 25 international members elected to the renowned society of 2,705 members and 557 international members recognized for distinguished achievements in scientific research.
Hongbo Chi, PhD, Department of Immunology chair, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors for outstanding contributions to scientific research and innovation. The NAS recognized Chi for his field-defining work connecting immunology, metabolism and regulatory networks that control adaptive immunity. His research has advanced understanding of immune cell metabolism and function and has helped shape new engineering approaches for next-generation cancer immunotherapies. Chi was among 120 new members and 25 international members elected to the renowned society of 2,705 members and 557 international members recognized for distinguished achievements in scientific research.
Andrew Kleist, MD, PhD, has been named a 2025 STAT Wunderkind, an honor given by STAT, a leading health and life sciences publication, to early-career researchers advancing biomedical science. Kleist is a lead computational research scientist at the Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Mentored by M. Madan Babu, PhD, FRS, his research explores molecular-scale biological events that control cell movement and migration. Kleist expressed gratitude for the recognition and the mentorship that shaped his career. His current studies include the impact of mutations in influenza proteins on pathogenicity, aberrant signaling in cancer progression, and how genetic variants influence protein structures and human disease. Dr. Babu praised Kleist’s contributions, noting his research opens new paths to combat infectious diseases, develop medicines, and improve cell therapies. Notably, St. Jude investigator Daniel Blair was a 2022 STAT Wunderkind, continuing the hospital’s legacy of outstanding biomedical innovation.
St. Jude scientist named to STAT Wunderkind class of 2025 for research contributions
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has earned its third consecutive “exceptional” rating from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the seven-year renewal of its Comprehensive Cancer Center designation. This is the highest rating awarded by the NCI, and St. Jude remains the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted exclusively to children. NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers lead in turning scientific discoveries into clinical care advances, providing access to cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials unavailable elsewhere. They are also vital in training the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians while advancing public education and outreach. The St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center unites top scientists and physicians who collaborate across five major research programs with the vision of a future where every child with cancer can expect a long, healthy life. The center shares its breakthroughs globally to advance cures for children everywhere. “Our designation reflects our dedicated research and leadership in education and outreach,” said Dr. Charles Roberts, St. Jude Executive VP and Cancer Center director. “Achieving ‘exceptional’ status again highlights the impact of our team’s work on pediatric cancer research and treatment.”
St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center receives its third consecutive 'Exceptional' rating from the National Cancer Institute
🎓Join us for a free global event on September 25, 2025 designed for curious minds and ambitious researchers—from undergrads to postdocs and research professionals. Whether you're seeking internships, graduate programs, postdoctoral positions, or research IT roles, this is your chance to: ✨ Discover cutting-edge science and world-class facilities 🤝 Network with St. Jude faculty, fellows, and recruiters 📋 Apply for open positions and connect one-on-one 🎯 Boost your career with a free session led by a top advisor 🔗 Register now and take the next step in your biomedical journey! https://web.cvent.com/event/33bcf395-f5da-465a-8b00-7c37e99603f9/summary
🎓Join us for a free global event on September 25, 2025 designed for curious minds and ambitious researchers—from undergrads to postdocs and research professionals. Whether you're seeking internships, graduate programs, postdoctoral positions, or research IT roles, this is your chance to: ✨ Discover cutting-edge science and world-class facilities 🤝 Network with St. Jude faculty, fellows, and recruiters 📋 Apply for open positions and connect one-on-one 🎯 Boost your career with a free session led by a top advisor 🔗 Register now and take the next step in your biomedical journey! https://web.cvent.com/event/33bcf395-f5da-465a-8b00-7c37e99603f9/summary
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has reached a historic milestone in nursing excellence. For the third consecutive term, St. Jude has earned Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a prestigious recognition awarded to health care organizations for their nursing philosophy, leadership and commitment to improving patient care. This year, St. Jude achieved Magnet with Distinction™, an elite honor reserved for the top 1 percent of nursing programs nationwide. Magnet with Distinction is a rare honor that underscores leadership in nursing excellence and patient care innovation. Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement and the nurses who make it possible!
St. Jude achieves the highest designation for nursing: ANCC's Magnet with Distinction
Congratulations to Keith Perry, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, for being honored in the Becker's Healthcare 2025 “CIOs to know” list. The annual list recognizes IT executives for health systems and hospitals throughout the U.S. who are driving forward-thinking strategies that create meaningful improvements for both patients and providers. They are transforming their hospitals and health systems through initiatives like EHR upgrades, advanced cybersecurity solutions and expanded telehealth offerings. “At St. Jude, collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential to driving progress,” Perry said. “Technology plays an increasingly important role in healthcare and research. Artificial intelligence, data science, analytics, quantum computing and data storage are rapidly evolving to support scientific discoveries and breakthroughs in healthcare.” Thank you, Keith Perry, for your 10 years of service to St. Jude and all you do to keep St. Jude safe and secure as our technologies advance.
Congratulations to Keith Perry, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, for being honored in the Becker's Healthcare 2025 “CIOs to know” list. The annual list recognizes IT executives for health systems and hospitals throughout the U.S. who are driving forward-thinking strategies that create meaningful improvements for both patients and providers. They are transforming their hospitals and health systems through initiatives like EHR upgrades, advanced cybersecurity solutions and expanded telehealth offerings. “At St. Jude, collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential to driving progress,” Perry said. “Technology plays an increasingly important role in healthcare and research. Artificial intelligence, data science, analytics, quantum computing and data storage are rapidly evolving to support scientific discoveries and breakthroughs in healthcare.” Thank you, Keith Perry, for your 10 years of service to St. Jude and all you do to keep St. Jude safe and secure as our technologies advance.
St. Jude is set to become the first institution in the United States to introduce semi-autonomous and 3D pharmaceutical compounding for direct patient care. This innovative approach is transforming how medications are prepared, offering child-friendly formulations designed to improve adherence and outcomes. For years, families and clinicians have struggled with the challenges of pediatric medication delivery. Tablets and capsules are often hard for children to swallow, while liquids can taste unpleasant or lead to dosing errors. Traditional methods such as extemporaneous compounding can be time-intensive and variable. But now, technology is stepping in to bridge these gaps. Using 3D pharmaceutical compounding, medications can now be created in forms including dissolving films, mini-tabs, troches and gummy tablets, each tailored to individual patient needs. A recent study demonstrated the system’s ability to produce customized hydrocortisone formulations that met rigorous pharmacopeial standards for accuracy and consistency. This technology reduces manual preparation, enhances precision, and allows for personalization based on factors such as age, genetics, allergies and disabilities. For children, this means medications that are not only more effective but also easier and more pleasant to take. More than just a technological upgrade, this innovation reflects the commitment at St. Jude to forward-thinking care.
Personalized, palatable, precise: Transforming pediatric medication delivery
Janeala Morsby, PhD, is part of a team at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital working to address the challenges of pediatric osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. As a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Oncology, Morsby’s work focuses on identifying novel genomic targets and developing combination therapies to improve treatment outcomes. For early-career scientists such as Morsby, St. Jude offers unparalleled opportunities. “Several amazing shared resources here provide support for experiments and access to state-of-the-art facilities with great staff and personnel,” she explains. “Aside from the facilities, the St. Jude faculty across various disciplines are always willing to share insight into your research or provide meaningful feedback.” Mentorship has also been a cornerstone of her career. From undergraduate research mentors to her current mentor, Lillian Guenther, MD, Morsby emphasizes the value of collaboration and guidance in advancing her work and preparing for the next stage of her scientific career. St. Jude provides access to cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art facilities, as well as faculty across disciplines who offer invaluable feedback and collaboration. These tools and connections empower researchers to generate impactful data and advance discoveries that improve outcomes.
5 Questions for Janeala Morsby, PhD
Congratulations to Melissa Hudson, MD, Director of Cancer Survivorship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for receiving the Pediatric Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Congratulations to Melissa Hudson, MD, Director of Cancer Survivorship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for receiving the Pediatric Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
For as long as she can remember, Alexis Cole has held ambitions to work at St. Jude. Growing up near this iconic Memphis institution, she was inspired by its reputation for hope, healing and groundbreaking care. Cole’s connection to St. Jude runs deep—her great uncle, William Amour, received compassionate care for leukemia here after his diagnosis in 1968. Today, Cole is driven by that legacy and the opportunity to contribute to a place that has touched her family and so many others in profound ways. When the opportunity arose, Cole jumped at the chance to join the staff at St. Jude as a manager in Environmental Services. While she oversees a staff that keeps the rooms clean and sanitized, her contributions extend beyond the scope of her job responsibilities. An accomplished alto saxophonist, she has also played music for patients in Family Commons, a treatment-free space where patients and families can relax between appointments. “I speak to the families about the cleanliness, but I’m also bringing smiles to kids’ faces,” Cole said. “It’s a testament to the impact of the work we do here. You can use your talents in different ways.” Whether it is through her official role or through her efforts to stay involved in other aspects of the institution, Cole is making an impact at St. Jude. To her, it is the ultimate tribute to her great uncle. “I am amazed that I’m able to be a leader at St. Jude. Being able to work here and do meaningful work, it feels full circle,” she said.
Research and Hospital Careers