Author Profile

Daniel Blair, PhD

Assistant Member, St. Jude Faculty

Daniel Blair, PhD, is an assistant faculty member in the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics at St. Jude. View full bio.

Stories by Daniel Blair

EKG screen
EKG screen
Research

The heart of the matter – cancer survivors and heart disease

Matthew J. Ehrhardt, MD

Cancer treatments can result in damage to the heart both during treatment and years following completion of therapy. As many cancer survivors are now living longer into adulthood, we’re gaining a better understanding of some of the late effects of cancer treatments that we weren’t able to observe before.

A 3D print of influenza virus shows the yellow surface covered with proteins called hemagglutinin (colored blue) and neuraminidase (colored red) that enable the virus to enter and infect human cells. Image provided by the National Institutes of Health.
A 3D print of influenza virus shows the yellow surface covered with proteins called hemagglutinin (colored blue) and neuraminidase (colored red) that enable the virus to enter and infect human cells. Image provided by the National Institutes of Health.
Research

Immune markers offer clues to antibody production in response to flu

Mary Powers

Scientists are learning more about antibody production in response to flu, including how they develop from helper T cells and monocytes.

Cancer care during a pandemic: What we learned prepares us for the next emergency
Cancer care during a pandemic: What we learned prepares us for the next emergency
Clinical

Cancer care during a pandemic: What we learned prepares us for the next emergency

Dylan Graetz, MD, MPH

The pandemic exposed shortcomings in health care. But this study revealed more than expected in this type of children’s treatment.

Tangie Thomas, vice president of Clinical Trials Operations at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shares the importance of mentors and advocates during her career.
Tangie Thomas, vice president of Clinical Trials Operations at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shares the importance of mentors and advocates during her career.
Outreach

Learning the value of mentors, champions and building a strong network

St. Jude Progress

Tangie Thomas, MPH, is vice president of Clinical Trials Operations at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Jasmine Turner analyzes data from samples to determine the presence of influenza. She credits her mother for encouragement and inspiration to pursue a scientific career.
Jasmine Turner analyzes data from samples to determine the presence of influenza. She credits her mother for encouragement and inspiration to pursue a scientific career.
Investigator Insights

Jasmine Turner: Overcoming obstacles, rising to meet challenges

Mike O’Kelly

For Jasmine Turner, resilience and tenacity were required to enter a field with very few Black women. There weren’t many women or teachers of color in her scientific courses—no one with similar experiences to help guide her or focus her talents. She turned to her mother for encouragement and inspiration.

Different types of pediatric cancer treatments are ototoxic, or damaging to the ears. As cancer treatments become more effective and survival rates increase, we’re getting a better picture of how various treatments affect patients later on.
Different types of pediatric cancer treatments are ototoxic, or damaging to the ears. As cancer treatments become more effective and survival rates increase, we’re getting a better picture of how various treatments affect patients later on.
Clinical

What we’ve found out about hearing loss and cognitive function in children

Johnnie Bass, AuD, PhD

This study, to our knowledge, is the first to objectively measure hearing and neurocognitive function in a large cohort of long-term survivors of childhood cancer stratified by treatment exposures.

Andrea Stubbs points to finding her niche while working to address youth HIV acquisition and transmission, and plans to use those same skills to increase HPV vaccinations.
Andrea Stubbs points to finding her niche while working to address youth HIV acquisition and transmission, and plans to use those same skills to increase HPV vaccinations.
Investigator Insights

Making purposeful connections to help others grow and develop

Chris Pennington

Andrea Stubbs shares her experiences that shaped her career in community outreach to raise awareness for both HIV and HPV.

Pat Keel credits a previous job where she stepped out of her comfort zone to grow professionally and build unity within teams working toward a common goal. Photo from early 2020.
Pat Keel credits a previous job where she stepped out of her comfort zone to grow professionally and build unity within teams working toward a common goal. Photo from early 2020.
Investigator Insights

Leadership begins where the comfort zone ends

St. Jude Progress

Women of St. Jude highlights the influences and events that shaped the career of Pat Keel, who shares lessons she’s learned about teamwork and leadership.

Quality sickle cell disease treatment shouldn’t depend upon where you live
Quality sickle cell disease treatment shouldn’t depend upon where you live
Clinical

The global burden of sickle cell disease: The quality of treatment shouldn’t depend upon where you live

Ayobami Olanrewaju, MD

Survival and quality of life for many with sickle cell disease depends upon where they live. Here’s what a doctor wants to do to fix that.

How do fathers grieve the loss of a child?
How do fathers grieve the loss of a child?
Clinical

How do fathers grieve the loss of a child?

Michael J. McNeil, MD

Fathers express grief through keeping busy or focusing on work – different than a mother’s grief. But fathers may not be getting the support they need after the loss of a child.