Brenda J. Weigel, MD, named vice president of clinical research industry engagement at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital today announced Brenda J. Weigel, MD, has been named vice president of clinical research industry engagement, a new role created to enhance partnerships and collaborations for innovative clinical trials for children with catastrophic diseases.

In this role, Weigel will lead strategic initiatives that will enhance the pharma and biotechnology industry collaborations for clinical trials sponsored by St. Jude. She will also serve as a member of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Committee. Weigel will begin in January 2025.

“Dr. Weigel brings an exceptional combination of experience, skills and passion to St. Jude,” said Elizabeth Fox, MD, senior vice president of Clinical Research Administration and associate director of clinical research of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center. “This new team’s effortswill help build a strong foundation as we expand collaborations while advancing clinical trials.”

Weigel comes to St. Jude from the University of Minnesota and the Masonic Cancer Center, where she served as director of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division and chief of staff for University of Minnesota Medical Center.

"Dr. Weigel has a keen understanding of innovative clinical trials and the critical role they play when it comes to improving the outcome for children with catastrophic diseases worldwide," said Charles Roberts MD, PhD, executive vice president and director of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center. “We are thrilled she is bringing her intellect, experience and leadership to St. Jude during this time of growth.”

St. Jude leads trials to evaluate new therapies and better understand the biology, lifespan impact and quality of life of children with cancer, sickle cell disease, infectious diseases and neurological diseases. The hospital’s portfolio includes more than 400 clinical trials, the majority of which are investigator-initiated. 

“I am looking forward to taking on this new challenge as we work together to accelerate the pathway to cures,” Weigel said. “We will achieve this through collaboration between investigators, regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology entities, including patient and family advocates to meet the unmet medical needs of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.”

In addition to her role at the University of Minnesota, Weigel has served as chair of the National Cancer Institute’s Children’s Oncology Group Developmental Therapeutics Committee and the Pediatric Early Phase Clinical Trial Network. She is a leading expert on sarcoma and rare tumors in children.

Weigel received a bachelor’s degree in applied human nutrition from the University of Guelph, Ontario, and a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Toronto. She earned a medical degree at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Western Ontario, and began her career at the University of Minnesota as a fellow in hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplantation.