Meet the Fellows

I was born and brought up in a military family in India. We traveled all around India because of this. I came to US to do my Pediatrics Residency in Southern Illinois University, in Springfield, IL. I met my better half there and we got married at the end of residency. Outside work I enjoy driving, traveling, making crafts, and exploring different cultures.

I am a native of White Castle, LA. I attended Southern University and A&M College as a member of the Honors College and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biology and summa cum laude as the 2011 Summer Commencement Chief Student Marshal. I received a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Systems Management at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA in 2014. I also received a Master of Health Sciences from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN in 2016 and ultimately, a Doctor of Medicine from Meharry in 2020. I completed residency training at Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital Pediatric Residency Program in Baton Rouge, LA in 2023.  I also served as a 2023-2024 Chief Resident for OLOL Pediatric Residency Program and OLOL Physician Group, a hospitalist with Pediatric Hospitalists of Louisiana, and gratis faculty at LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. When I am not perfecting my practice of medicine, you can find me serving in my church and abroad. I recently traveled to Africa as a medical missionary to serve at Kijabe-Bethany Kids Hospital in Kijabe, Kenya. I am an ordained minister, assistant youth pastor, and worship leader at City of Refuge Church in White Castle, LA under the leadership of Dr. Frank A. Jones, III. Truly, Dr. I have answered the call to serve in medicine and in ministry.

Ashton Bellamy, a PGY-2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Resident, grew up in Tyler, TX. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy from Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at CHRISTUS Mother Frances in Tyler, TX. Her professional interests include pediatric infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, multidrug resistance, and research. Outside of work, she enjoys running, working on puzzles, and watching sports.

Grew up in Fort Worth, TX. Attended university there and then left the country for medical school in Grenada. I spent 2 years in Atlanta, GA for clinical rotations before matching into residency back in Texas. Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health have been the long-term goals since deciding to pursue a career in medicine.

I grew up on a small but beautiful archipelago, the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I moved to another Caribbean Island, Jamaica, to study medicine at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus. I had some innate interest in hematology, but this is where I really grew to love the world and science of hematology/oncology. After completing a one-year internship and six-months as a senior officer in hematology/oncology at UWI, I returned to my home country where I was employed as a medical officer. I often served in remote settings with poor health infrastructure and found myself longing for a better health care system. From this experience, I realized I wanted to position myself as a health care provider contributing to better health outcomes for the community. I began my masters in family medicine at the University of Edinburgh where I completed my thesis on varying barriers to health care and the myriad of disparities present in the system.  I completed residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Holtz Children's Hospital which further cemented my interests in both hematology and advocating for patients.  I knew that a fellowship at St. Jude would help merge my passion for hematology/oncology and my desire to implement improved health systems for patients in underserved communities like my own. My interests in hematology are primarily nonmalignant conditions, but I am intrigued by all oncological conditions. I enjoy walks and hikes with my dog, a good novel and training for half marathons. 

I was born and raised in NE Ohio but have been living in the South since the start of my pediatrics residency and love the sunshine! I completed my residency training at USF and pediatric infectious diseases fellowship at UAB in Birmingham, AL. My girlfriend Quinn and I are excited to be moving to Memphis so I can complete an extra year of training in pediatric transplant and immunocompromised ID. I love sports of all shapes and sizes and enjoy playing games together with my partner on desktops, laptops and cardboard. We also love cooking and baking together and exploring local breweries (especially Trivia). Looking forward to starting a new adventure at St. Jude!

I am a dedicated pediatric oncologist with a specialized interest in further training in infectious diseases among immunocompromised patients. My commitment to providing comprehensive care to vulnerable populations is complemented by my ongoing pursuit of advanced expertise in infectious disease management , and  improving patient outcomes drives me to stay at the forefront of medical advancements and research in my field.

I was born in Guyana and moved to The Bahamas when I was eight years old. After completing my undergraduate studies in Canada, I attended medical school in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies. Following medical school, I worked as a pediatric medical officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital in The Bahamas. There, I had the opportunity to work with the Pediatric Hematology Oncology team, which sparked my interest and passion for the field. I decided to pursue residency training but postponed starting in order to work in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Jamaica during the pandemic. After some time in the PICU, I moved to South Florida to pursue my pediatric residency. My love for Pediatric Hematology Oncology was reaffirmed at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, where I received exceptional mentorship and opportunities to work with amazing people. Inspired by a great mentor and some personal experiences, I developed a special interest in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology in my final year of residency, which I hope to explore further in Fellowship. Outside of work you can find me in the local bookstore hunting down an interesting read or out and about with my husband looking for our next memorable coffee/food experience. 

I am a pediatric retina specialist with postdoctoral studies on uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma. I completed residency in Ophthalmology and a vitreoretinal fellowship at the Association Para Evitar la Ceguera en Mexico (APEC). Under the Helmerich Retina Research Foundation scholarship from the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), I completed a Pediatric Retina International fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. I then returned to APEC to co-found the first pediatric retina unit in Latin America. My postdoctoral studies in ocular oncology were done at the University of Tennessee.

I am from the Chicagoland area and have been in the Midwest my whole life. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at Bradley University in Peoria Illinois with a minor in English Literature and Neuroscience. During my training at Bradley University, I got to work with a pediatric neuropsychologist which began my journey into this field. From there, I completed my graduate training at Ball State University in Muncie Indiana and graduated with my Ph.D. in School Psychology with a specialization in pediatric neuropsychology. I completed two years of practicum in neuropsychology and an advanced counseling practicum at Ball Memorial Hospital Cancer Center working with patients and families navigating. I completed my doctoral internship at Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield MO, a community mental health outpatient organization where I specialized in neuropsychology and pediatric populations. My Clinical interests are pediatric oncology, Sickle Cell Anemia, HIV/AIDS, and methods to improve quality of life and reintegration strategies. Some fun facts about me: I have 7 birds (I am a bird lover) and one very hyperactive puppy, my guilty pleasure is binging Bravo shows, I enjoy baking especially if chocolate is involved, and I love hiking.

I was born and raised in a small village by the River Nile in Sudan which is why the Mississippi River has a special place in my heart, my village did not have a medical doctor, and we have to travel a distance to the capital of Khartoum for healthcare, however, they were some paramedical staff in a nearby village that nurtured my childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor. My dad was a mechanic and a farmer, and my mom was a full-time housewife, she was so devoted to the extent that she saw our school uniforms and school backpacks at home, education was crucial to her, even though she did not have the opportunity to complete her education she made sure that all her kids had high education. I completed my medical school at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria and obtained a master’s degree in public health M.P.H from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University School of Public Health in Brooklyn, NY, and a fellowship in adult sickle cell from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University/ Kings County Hospital Center. Throughout my medical carrier, I attended, presented, and moderated at numerous national and international conferences and mentored medical students and junior residents rotating in sickle cell disease and public health. Recently I became a reviewer in sickle cell and hemoglobinopathies for the peer reviewed CUREUS Journal.

I grew up in the Silicon Valley of India - Bangalore and in high school I thought I was predestined to become a software engineer since I loved math and enjoyed programming. But I switched gears to pursue a path in medicine as the sheer complexity of the human body baffled me. At Ramaiah medical college I soon discovered that while I got into medicine for the science it is the humanities of the field that made me fall in love with it. After completing medical school, I decided to stay for an extra year in the position of a junior resident at the department of Hematology-oncology. It is here that I came upon the happy realization that my curiosity and compassion culminated in Oncology. During this tenure I contributed in the ongoing efforts to build a cancer registry which helped me recognize that this wealth of data can be utilized to build machine learning models to help improve cancer care. Eager to work at the intersection of medicine and tech, I embarked on a journey to the US and my first stop was at New York City where I completed my pediatric residency training at Mount Sinai and Elmhurst hospital center. Witnessing immense social disparity in the diverse neighborhoods of New York helped me develop cultural humility and emphasized the need for a holistic approach. I hence wish to utilize these experiences to develop personalized cancer care to minimize suffering and maximize outcomes. At St. Jude, I believe that this dream can be nurtured to fruition. Outside of medicine, I love to read, paint and spend time in nature. I am a theater enthusiast and enjoy Indian classical music. 

I grew up in a small town in eastern North Carolina after my parents emigrated from the island of Trinidad and Tobago. As a proud Tarheel at UNC Chapel Hill, I developed an early interest in children’s health through studying Biology and Anthropology. I moved to Charleston, SC to attend medical school at MUSC with my husband, Daniel, who is now a general surgery resident. I returned to my home state of North Carolina to complete my pediatrics residency at UNC. Thanks to incredible mentorship during medical school and residency, I fell in love with caring for families and patients undergoing cancer treatment. I am thrilled at the opportunity to train at St. Jude and engage in clinical research to improve the quality of life of patients and families during therapy. Outside of the hospital, I love spending time with my husband, eating BBQ, sharing meals with friends, and finding new places to run. 

Hey there! Born and raised in a quaint Indian town, I ventured into medicine and found my passion early on in pediatric hematology oncology. After cutting my teeth as a house officer in Mumbai's bustling pediatric hematology oncology center, I hopped across continents to the Big Apple for residency. New York City's vibrant diversity and its significant sickle cell population captured my heart, sparking a newfound fascination with sickle cell anemia. When I'm not knee-deep in medical texts or at the hospital, you'll likely find me belting out tunes or busting a move. I've got a thing for singing and dancing, both of which I've trained in professionally. And to unwind, I find solace in the kitchen, whipping up culinary delights that could rival any five-star restaurant (or so I like to think!). Here's to combining a love for oncology with a zest for life, ready to make a difference one patient and one dance step at a time! 

Lily Higgins is a PGY2 Pharmacy Resident in Oncology originally from Milwaukee, WI. She went to the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy followed by completion of her PGY1 residency at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. Her professional interests include pediatric solid tumors, sickle cell disease and other nonmalignant hematologic disease states, and implementation of oncologic pharmacogenomic information into treatment. Outside of work, she likes baking, hiking, and couponing.

I was born in a typical Indian middle-class family and lived across the state of Maharashtra in central-western India until settling in the great city of Mumbai. I grew up loving food, motorcycles, and cars. I had an interest in biology and was inclined to pursue a career in medicine at a very young age. I did my medical education from the Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences in India where I was exposed to a medically under-served population sparking my interest in public health. During my intern year of medical school, I was granted a scholarship by the European Union to obtain my master’s in public health at Lund University in Sweden. Then, after working as a clinician scientist in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for nearly two years, I realized my passion for pediatrics. The glaring lack of accessible quality cancer care inspired me to pursue a career in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. I moved to the US with my wife and completed my pediatric residency training at Loma Linda University in California where I was exposed to multi-disciplinary pediatric cancer care with a team-based approach. This experience was instrumental in developing my understanding of comprehensive cancer care. At St. Jude, I plan to gain scientific knowledge and a plethora of clinical experience with a specific research interest in implementation science to create pragmatic solutions for accessible and affordable cancer care. I envision a future with improved and uniform global cancer survival and collaboration.

I grew up in the Kansas countryside (picture cows, horses, and chickens), and then moved to Kansas City for a combined 6-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine. While there, I fell in love with coffee and discovering local coffee shops. I moved to Columbia, South Carolina, for a pediatric residency at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, where I experienced southern hospitality and had some great co-residents and mentors. I am passionate about global health care and the disparities of hematology/oncology care depending on the patient’s location in the world.

My specific clinical interest is the field of solid tumor, and I envision combining these interests of solid tumor and global health by advancing oncologic treatment for patients with solid tumors throughout the world. The excellence of St. Jude both in an academic and clinical realm is what drew me here, as well as the foundation for global health research. I am excited and humbled to spend the next few years training at St. Jude and look forward to refining and distilling my vision as I learn from others. On weekends you can find me hiking with my mini Aussie, Luna, or curled up on the couch with my cat, Merlin.

After growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I ventured out of sunny California to complete my undergraduate degree in anthropology at the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!) and subsequently my Master of Science in Global Health at Duke University. In graduate school, I worked at the Duke Global Health Institute on substance use and HIV research initiatives in Cape Town, South Africa, where I spent a substantial portion of my Master’s training conducting field research. I obtained my MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC before returning to California to complete my pediatrics residency at Stanford. I loved it so much, I stayed an additional year to serve as chief resident and as a clinical instructor in the department of general pediatrics. During my time as chief, we conducted research on medical education and improving funds of pediatric knowledge among our residents. In addition to South Africa, over the course of my training, I have worked in clinical or research capacities in Senegal, Cameroon, Lesotho, and Tanzania. I was drawn to fellowship at St. Jude for their incredible global health infrastructure. I plan to continue exploring and addressing global health disparities in pediatric cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa with the incredible people in the St. Jude community!

I recently completed my internship at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. I received my doctorate in clinical psychology with a health focus from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and I have undergraduate degrees from the University of Florida in psychology and dance. I also have certificates in Arts in Medicine and Dance in Medicine. My interests include psycho-oncology, critical care, palliative care, and incorporating the arts within interventions for patients and their families.

Milre Matherne, a PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Resident, grew up in the small town of Thibodaux, Louisiana. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency in pediatrics at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Her professional interests include pediatric oncology, benign hematology, and biochemical genetic disorders. Outside of work, Milre enjoys caring for her continuously expanding collection of houseplants, trying new coffee shops and restaurants, and running!

I am from Rehoboth, Massachusetts and spent my childhood/young adult life in the New England area. I went to Smith College where I majored in Neuroscience and found a passion for bench research and continued to grow this love of research as a postbac in the Radiation Oncology Branch at NIH for a year before medical school. In medical school at the University of Massachusetts, I found that pediatric oncology was the perfect combination of the patient population I wanted to work with and the science I was fascinated by. This was confirmed by a research year in the Medical Research Scholars Program at NIH between my third and fourth years of med school where I worked in Dr. Christine Heske’s lab examining NAMPT inhibition in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. I moved to DC for pediatric residency in the Research Track at Children's National and was fortunate to have the opportunity to continue this research with such an amazing lab and mentor. I am thrilled to be at St. Jude for fellowship and was drawn here because of its incredible mission, vibrant research environment and multitude of clinicians and scientists excited about teaching and being mentors. My clinical and research interests are in sarcomas or neuro-oncology and I envision a career doing primarily basic/translational research. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, baking, reading and visiting museums.

Pharmacogenomics Pharmacy resident, grew up near Boston, Massachusetts but has lived all over the United States! She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy and a Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, then completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut. Outside of work, she enjoys learning new recipes to cook or bake to share with friends and being active outside such as going on hikes!

During my childhood, I had the opportunity to live in several different countries. Eventually, I settled in Italy, where I pursued medical studies at the University of Perugia. It was during this time that I developed a deep appreciation for foreign cultures and met my now-husband, who joined me on this crazy journey across the globe. Working in various hospitals across Europe and the Middle East helped me discover my passion for pediatric hematology and oncology. This passion led me to pursue fellowship training in the United States. I completed my Pediatric residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, and I am now eagerly anticipating my move to Tennessee to embrace a new lifestyle! During my residency, I developed a keen interest in solid tumors and the regulation of immune responses in sarcoma patients. I am particularly driven to improve the quality of life for sarcoma survivors, especially adolescents and young adults. In the future, I aim to investigate disparities in pediatric cancer survivorship within Eastern Europe. St. Jude offers exceptional resources and a diverse patient population, making it an ideal fit for my career aspirations. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with loved ones. 

I grew up and spent most of my childhood in Naples, Florida, where my parents own a pastry shop. Growing up, my twin brother, younger sister and I all helped in the shop on weekends and holidays—it was truly a family business. I left Florida to attend Rhodes College, where I majored in biology with a minor in international relations. I also got my first taste of both Memphis BBQ and St. Jude. I volunteered at St. Jude throughout college and was in awe of the patients and everyone involved in their care; thus, my interest in pediatric hematology/oncology began. I attended medical school at the University of Texas Health at San Antonio where I developed an interest in global health. My westward journey continued when I matched to University of Colorado for residency. In Colorado, I fell in love with the mountains and all the activities I could do in the mountains (hiking, camping, skiing, etc.). Now I am thrilled to be back in Memphis at St. Jude and can’t wait to get involved with Global and explore other clinical and academic interests from the best in the field.

I was born in Saudi Arabia and grow up in Cairo, Egypt. I was raised in a family full of physicians, which made me admire the physician's role. I attended medical school at Ain Shams University and completed my residency and master's in pediatrics there. After practicing pediatrics and neonatology for a few years, I moved to USA to continue my clinical training. I relocated with my family from Bristol,TN to start my fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at St. Jude and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. my clinical interest is infectious diseases in neonates and children in the intensive care unit and general infection control to help children and neonates through critical moments and grow into healthy children. Outside of work, I love nature, knitting , cooking and spending time with my family.

I hail from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I developed an onerous love-hate relationship with Midwest winters. I earned my BS in Bioengineering from the University of California, Berkeley and then spent three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching middle school math in rural Burkina Faso. Having developed a passion for global health, I enrolled at the Medical School for International Health at Ben-Gurion University in Be'er Sheva, Israel. I completed a preliminary year in General Surgery at the University of Minnesota prior to earning a spot in the General Surgery Residency Program at the Marshfield Clinic in central Wisconsin. After residency, I completed a surgical critical care fellowship at Children's Wisconsin in Milwaukee. I am excited to make the move to Memphis and join the Pediatric Surgical Oncology team at St. Jude. I served three years on the American Pediatric Surgery Association's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and I am a proud member of the Association of Out Surgeons and Allies. My personal interests include travel, reading, running, trying to keep house plants alive, and napping.

I was born and raised in the Philadelphia area by first generation immigrants from Thailand. During my childhood, my parents owned and operated successful Thai restaurants. Do not assume I know how to cook though since my parents always wanted my sister and I to focus on our studies. Through hard work and the sacrifices of my family, I was fortunate enough to attend Harvard University. In college, I played on the varsity squash team and won three national championships. Go Crimson! After graduating, I worked as a clinical research assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital, where I fell in love with pediatrics. I then moved back to the Philadelphia area, where I attended medical school at Drexel University and then completed pediatric residency at Jefferson/Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. After residency, I worked as a hospitalist in the Oncology division at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I always knew St. Jude was a special place and since deciding to pursue a career in pediatric hematology/oncology, I hoped to have the chance to train there one day. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to join the St. Jude family. 

Most of my life was spent in the Tampa area in Florida. I graduated from the University of South Florida then earned my master’s in social work at USC in Los Angeles. After graduation, I obtained a work visa and was a hospital social worker in Reading, England for a year. When I returned to the US, I worked at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. I was asked to be a part of a research study interviewing pediatric cancer patients at All Children's Hospital and fell in love with pediatric hematology/oncology. I wanted to continue a career in research and became a Children's Oncology Group research associate in California. After about 5 years of being a CRA and meeting and marrying my lovely husband, I was inspired to pursue medicine. I returned to undergrad and was accepted into medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, AL. During my second year, I found out I was pregnant with twin boys and life was a whirlwind after that. Luckily, I matched at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for residency, an extremely family-friendly, supportive program. And it's a good thing I did because I ended up having a third little boy intern year. Balancing three young children in residency had its challenges but becoming a pediatric hematologist/oncologist has been my dream since returning to undergrad. I hope to focus my research on leukemia and immunotherapy treatments, while promoting supportive care. I am grateful to be living out my dream here at St. Jude.

I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and completed my undergraduate and medical school education at the University of Michigan. My interest in pediatric oncology began when I volunteered in a pediatric oncology playroom in high school, and I have been dreaming about becoming a pediatric oncologist ever since. I studied English prior to medical school and researched how children with cancer write, draw and speak about their experiences. I headed toward the Mississippi River for my pediatric residency training at the University of Minnesota, and I followed it south to Memphis for a combined fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology and hospice and palliative medicine. My clinical interest in pediatric oncology is in acute myeloid leukemia. I am currently in my one-year clinical palliative care fellowship, learning how to be a palliative oncologist before I embark on my research years. My research interest is in narrative medicine in oncology, specifically in how writing and storytelling can impact patients, families and providers. Alongside medicine, I love reading, writing, dancing, kayaking and travel.

Gina Peng, a PGY2 Pharmacy Informatics resident, grew up in West Chester, PA near Philadelphia. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, VA. She is drawn to informatics for its intersection of healthcare and technology, particularly in optimizing electronic health records and clinical decision support tools, as well as leveraging data analytics. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, shopping, gaming, and playing with her cat, Mikan.

I grew up in and around Montgomery, Alabama. I attended Auburn University where I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences. During my time there, I was fortunate enough to experience wonderful mentorship that allowed me to discover my path would be medical school as opposed to studying veterinary medicine. I first developed an interest working with children volunteering with a therapeutic riding facility of Auburn. Upon graduation, I attended medical school at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. By the time I committed to medical school, I had the goal of one-day becoming an oncologist to care for cancer patients. During my fourth year of medical school, I toured St. Jude for the first time as a part of my residency interview process. I knew then that I wanted to learn from the very best at this special institution. I completed my pediatrics residency here in Memphis, TN and am thrilled and thankful for the opportunity to remain and complete my fellowship training. When I’m not taking care of sick kiddos I love spending time with my two sweet pups, Tessa and Cooper, reading, exploring Memphis, playing board games, and staying active. If it’s a Saturday in the Fall, then it’s a given I’m watching Auburn Football! (War Eagle!!)

I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain, and went to medical school at University of Navarra where I started to fall in love with Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. After medical school I did two years of Microbiology, and after went to Zaragoza to train as a pediatrician. After this, I decided I wanted to continue my clinical and research training in Infectious Diseases, and now, I am here at Memphis. I have been doing volunteer work first as a student and after as a physician in Sierra Leone since 2012, and this is how I also became interested in Global Health and HIV. Outside the hospital, I enjoy travelling, reading poetry and playing instruments with my husband.

I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Completed undergraduate at Truman State University and returned to Kansas City for three years to study olfactory neuroscience at the Stower’s Institute for Medical Research. I attended medical school at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and moved to Memphis to complete my pediatrics residency at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, with plans to eventually complete a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. However, during my residency, I fell in love with the complexity and challenges presented in infectious diseases in the immunocompromised host. Due to the diverse and numerous opportunities provided at St. Jude and Le Bonheur Children’s, I am very excited to continue my medical training in Memphis! My academic interests include infections in the immunocompromised host and antimicrobial stewardship. When I’m not at the hospital, I enjoy cooking, hanging out with my pet chinchilla, exploring Memphis’ numerous restaurants and breweries, and cheering on my beloved Kansas City Chiefs!

I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I developed a love of filmmaking, music and (thanks to many amazing teachers) DNA. I went on to study molecular biology and global health at Princeton University. While working on my senior thesis, which focused on the epigenetics of pediatric cancer, I discovered a calling for cancer biology and genomics. Meanwhile, my passion for the human component of medicine was fueled by a trip to Laikipia, Kenya, where I produced short films on maternal/child health in rural Maasai communities. I attended medical school at Duke, where I conducted research on decision-making for parents of children with life-threatening conditions. My calling toward pediatric hematology and oncology was confirmed during my residency at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. These experiences have taught me about the complex interplay among biology, environment and culture. As a fellow, I plan to carry out qualitative and mixed methods clinical research on decision-making for children with high-risk malignancies or predisposition syndromes. Compassionate care at all stages of life is so critical, and I am excited to practice and build on these skillsets at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Meanwhile, my husband, Matt, is finishing his PhD in math and our 1-year-old daughter, Carmela, is currently studying the alphabet.

I grew up on a farm in the outskirts of a small town called Hosur in southern India. I moved to Singapore for college where I majored in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Nanyang Technological University. During college, an internship at Harvard Medical School sparked an interest in medicine and led to my medical degree from Duke-NUS medical school in Singapore. Following my graduation, I worked as a medical officer in Singapore for three years and organized multiple medical camps over Southeast Asia for children. I then decided to move to the US and completed by pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. I am very excited to join St. Jude for my fellowship. My clinical interests include stem cell transplants, immunotherapy, and global health. Outside of work, I am passionate about painting, traveling and classical Indian music and dance.

I am a Pediatric Psychology Fellow in the Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences. I have my Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed my pre-doctoral internship at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's Professional Psychology Internship Consortium. I have worked with individuals across the lifespan with various medical and psychological concerns. My areas of interest include helping children and their families cope with the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic and oncologic diseases and providing support throughout the transition back home and into the community following intensive medical intervention and cancer-directed therapy.

Sophie Tilley, a PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy resident, grew up in the town of Benton, Arkansas. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Arkansas Tech University and her Doctor of Pharmacy from Harding University College of Pharmacy. Sophie completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Norton Hospitals in Louisville, KY. Her professional interests include bone marrow transplantation and solid tumors. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys spending time with family, trying new restaurants, and hosting game nights with friends.  

I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, where I attended medical school at the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE). As a medical student my research projects were focused on pain management in the pediatric population and palliative care. I knew from early on that I wanted to become a pediatric hematology oncologist.  After graduating, I worked for one year in the main pediatric oncology unit of Santo Domingo as a general provider. Later, I moved to Miami where I completed my Pediatric residency training at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. As a pediatric resident, I published in diverse topics such as general pediatrics, pediatric palliative care, and global medicine with an article in collaboration with other physicians from Latin America. My future goal is to become a transplanter after graduating from the Hem/Onc fellowship. I'm excited to be part of the St. Jude family, where I know I can foster my diverse interests, both clinically and in research. As an islander, I enjoy dancing. I’ve danced ballet, jazz, and flamenco. But my passion is mainly the Latin rhythms such as merengue, bachata, and Cuban salsa. I also enjoy reading, hiking, and traveling.

I was born and raised in the small town of Graham, Washington. Without moving far away from home, I attended Pacific Lutheran University for undergraduate education, majoring in biology and psychology. While working as a behavioral therapist, I developed a passion for working with children within the psychology field which drove me to pursue further education. I completed a master’s degree at Northcentral University with an emphasis in health psychology and ventured to Pacific University in Portland, Oregon to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology. During my doctoral studies, I fell in love with pediatric neuropsychology and furthermore discovered an enthusiastic interest in the pediatric oncology and hematology population for both clinical and research focus. Moving away from the PNW for the first time, I completed a doctoral internship in pediatric neuropsychology at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, TN. I am beyond excited to relocate to Memphis and join the St. Jude community for fellowship. I look forward to refining my clinical skills and expanding my research interests at one of the most well-respected and world-renowned children’s hospitals. Outside of training, I enjoy hiking with my dog, snowboarding, weightlifting, checking out the live music scene, and cooking.

I graduated from Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Turkey in 2014. I completed my pediatric surgery residency training at Sisli Etfal Research and Education Hospital which is the oldest Children’s Hospital of Turkey in 2022. I have been working as a consultant pediatric surgeon since 2022. I became ECFMG and European Board of Pediatric Surgery certified in 2022. I enjoy traveling, playing tennis and diving.

After immigrating to Texas from Hong Kong, my parents raised my two older sisters and me in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Following in my sisters’ footsteps, I attended the University of Texas at Austin, where I earned a B.S. in Biochemistry. Before attending medical school at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine near my hometown in Fort Worth, I began my career as an analyst in Health Informatics, providing me invaluable insight into the potential behind big data mining and other intersections of health and technology. My experiences in medical school and residency at Dell Medical in Austin solidified my aspiration to pursue hematology/oncology.  Inspired by exceptional mentors and the grace and resiliency of these patients, the accumulation of their stories and support led me to fellowship at St. Jude. I am deeply honored and ecstatic to pursue my interests in cancer genomics and precision oncology. Though many of my free weekends will be spent visiting my husband, a Sports Medicine fellow in Kentucky, I also enjoy long outdoor walks with a good podcast and discovering new food and drink spots around town. 

Born in the sunny warmth of Miami, FL, my family relocated to the “Windy City” of Chicago during my early years. Growing up with a pediatrician mom, I was always drawn to the field. I pursued my undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Science in Human Culture (Go Cats!). It was during my time at Northwestern that I discovered my passion for global health and advancing health equity in children, fueled by my involvement in mobile clinics and medical missions across West Africa and Latin America. My journey then led me to Cleveland, OH, where I participated in an urban health program, working within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). This experience inspired me to establish my own non-profit organization, dedicated to providing warm clothing to children worldwide. Following this, I embarked on my medical education at Northeast Ohio Medical University. There, I continued to pursue my passions, engaging in volunteer work at a free clinic and conducting clinical research focused on childhood health. Following medical school, I completed my pediatrics residency at the Cleveland Clinic. During residency, I fell in love with pediatric hematology/oncology, forming deep connections with my patients and became fervently committed to addressing health inequities within this specialty. I am thrilled for the opportunity to train at St. Jude, where I aspire to conduct research that merges my interests in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapies, and survivorship, all while tackling global health disparities in pediatric cancer care. Outside of my professional endeavors, I enjoy traveling, exploring new restaurants with my husband Zaeem, indulging in interior design and event planning, and spending quality time with my regal cat, Teddy.