Graduate school welcomes inaugural class

Photography by Biomedical Communications

The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences welcomed a dozen top young minds from around the country to the program’s first PhD class. Students enjoyed a busy first week of courses, activities and the school’s inaugural convocation ceremony.

“This is a big deal for St. Jude because it marks the continued evolution of this institution,” said Stephen White, DPhil, Graduate School dean. “Graduate students are really important for research because they bring a freshness of youth. They're brave, fearless, and they’re not afraid to try new projects.” 

The school’s goal is to train the next generation of scientific leaders who will develop tomorrow’s cures. It is located on the St. Jude campus in a custom-designed space within the Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration.

“Today you start on that journey—a journey that is unbelievably bright for you,” said St. Jude President and Chief Executive Officer James R. Downing, MD, at the ceremony. “And I think because of you, those children with catastrophic diseases, their future is even brighter. You’re going to make a difference.”

Learn more about the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences   Learn more about the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

  • Graduate school students walk through the halls at St. Jude Children
  • Graduate school students read about the history of St. Jude in the Danny Thomas Pavilion.

    Students visit the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion during a campus tour.
  • Graduate school students look at the memorial for Danny Thomas and his wife in the garden.
  • Graduate school students walk across campus.
  • A graduate school student listens to a lecture.
  • Graduate school students attend convocation.

    Suzanne Baker, PhD, Developmental Neurobiology, speaks to faculty and students.
  • A Graduate school student smiling.
  • St. Jude faculty member Ryan Potts speaks to a graduate student.
  • Graduate school students laugh and talk in the new graduate school activity room.

    Students mingle during a faculty and student mixer.
  • Graduate school students play pool.
  • Graduate school students wait outside the auditorium.
  • Stephen White waits outside of the auditorium to begin the convocation ceremony.

    Graduate School Dean Stephen White, DPhil (center), visits with Graduate School faculty member Gerard Grosveld, PhD, Genetics chair (at left).
  • Dr. James Downing walks on stage to begin the convocation ceremony.

    From left, Board of Trustee Member James Hildreth, MD, PhD, and St. Jude President and Chief Executive Officer James R. Downing, MD, enter the auditorium.
  • The graduate school inaugural class stands before the ceremony begins.

    Flanked by Registrar Tiffany Young-Polk and Assistant Dean Racquel Collins, PhD, the 12 students of the inaugural class participate in the convocation ceremony.
  • An audience view of the convocation ceremony.

    Graduate School faculty member Elaine Tuomanen, MD (left), and Brian Walton, Graduate School associate dean, watch the ceremony.
  • The inaugural graduate school class looks on and smiles during the convocation ceremony.
  • A member speaks at the graduate school convocation.
  • Dr. James Downing welcomes each student to the inaugural class of the St. Jude Children

    Graduate School students participate in a book signing before receiving a St. Jude pin and reciting an oath during the ceremony.
  • Dr. James Downing welcomes each student to the inaugural class of the St. Jude Children
  • A student is welcomed to the inaugural class of the St. Jude Children
  • A wide shot of the convocation ceremony.

    Graduate School faculty and St. Jude employees fill the Marlo Thomas Center Auditorium for the convocation ceremony.
  • The inaugural class of the St. Jude Children

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