Author Profile

Heather Mefford, MD, PhD

Faculty, Department of Cell & Molecular Biology

Heather Mefford, MD, PhD

Heather Mefford, MD, PhD, is a faculty member in the Department of Cell & Molecular Biology at St. Jude.

Stories by Heather Mefford

Changing the trajectory of flu for the sickest patients
Changing the trajectory of flu for the sickest patients
Research

Changing the trajectory of flu for the sickest patients

David Boyd, PhD

Research reveals that supportive tissue in the lungs helps coordinate the immune response to flu by regulating access to the tissue and inflammation in the lungs.

image of painting of Martine Roussel
image of painting of Martine Roussel
Investigator Insights

Portrait of Martine F. Roussel, Ph.D., unveiled at St. Jude

St. Jude Progress

A portrait of this researcher marks a half-a-century of scientific discovery and her contribution to scientific discovery.

Clara Mason: Humble nursing and research pioneer
Clara Mason: Humble nursing and research pioneer
Investigator Insights

Clara Mason: Humble Pioneer

Elizabeth Jane Walker

As one of the first advanced practice nurses at St. Jude, Clara Mason contributed to clinical trials that helped save countless lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on children and families
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on children and families
Clinical

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on children and families

St. Jude Strategic Communication, Education and Outreach Department

The pandemic’s impact on children is profound. This psychologist offers these tips on how parents can keep their children healthy.

It is better to be safe than fast when it comes to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
It is better to be safe than fast when it comes to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Research

COVID-19 vaccine development: better safe than fast

Stacey Schultz-Cherry, PhD

This is the most important thing to remember about vaccines for COVID-19 and other diseases going through clinical trials.

St. Jude families give valuable insights through virtual adviser community
St. Jude families give valuable insights through virtual adviser community
Clinical

St. Jude families provide valuable insights to staff through virtual adviser community

Mike O’Kelly

As a hospital staff member, how do you help patient families have a better clinical experience and quality of life while in the hospital?

Can common nasal bacteria be targeted to slow flu transmission? Maybe.
Can common nasal bacteria be targeted to slow flu transmission? Maybe.
Research

Can common nasal bacteria be targeted to slow flu transmission? Maybe.

Mary Powers

This new study shows that flu transmission and infection could be slowed or prevented by this simple technique.

T-Cell therapy may bridge treatment gap for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia
T-Cell therapy may bridge treatment gap for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia
Research

T-Cell therapy may bridge treatment gap for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Paulina Velasquez, MD

This clinical trial may be the key for leukemia patients getting a curative bone marrow transplant.

SMARCB1: Genetic ‘canary in a coal mine’ sparks research
SMARCB1: Genetic ‘canary in a coal mine’ sparks research
Research

SMARCB1: Genetic ‘canary in a coal mine’ sparks research

Erin Podolak, MA

Scientist spent more than a decade finding out how this genetic mutation causes different cancers.

image of Nobel medal
image of Nobel medal
Investigator Insights

Nobel laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier's major impact on science and medicine

Mike O’Kelly

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has ties to this year’s co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.