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

Pediatric melanoma mystery solved by genome sequencing research
Pediatric melanoma mystery solved by genome sequencing research
Research

Pediatric melanoma mystery solved by genome sequencing research

Scott Newman, PhD

Two pediatric melanoma cases diagnosed a year apart reveal a new genetic driver of the disease. Read more about this spitzoid melanoma work.

Bioinformatics research scientist helps unlock elusive data
Bioinformatics research scientist helps unlock elusive data
Research

From evolutionary biology to immunology via bioinformatics

Gary Bridgman

Immunologists turn to Jeremy Crawford, PhD, when planning complex experiments or re-analyzing collected data. Learn about his bioinformatics career.

Researchers identify new necroptosis triggers
Researchers identify new necroptosis triggers
Research

Researchers identify new molecular triggers for cell’s 'executioner'

Chris Pennington

Read how this molecule rips the “skin” of the cell to kill it, and how research is learning how this power is unleased.

Why should you care about the cancer-preventing HPV vaccine?
Why should you care about the cancer-preventing HPV vaccine?
Outreach

The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 31,000 cancer cases a year. This is why I care so much.

Robin Mutz, MPPM, BSN, RNC, NEA-BC

The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 31,000 cancer cases a year. After losing a friend to cancer, I made sure her children were protected from the virus.

Bring your science out of the journal and into the world
Bring your science out of the journal and into the world
Investigator Insights

Bringing your science out of the journal and into the world

Daniel Bastardo-Blanco

Using these five tips in communicating science will lead to positive feelings, more awareness and credibility.

What hidden hazards lie beneath the surface of genome editing?
What hidden hazards lie beneath the surface of genome editing?
Research

What hidden hazards lie beneath the surface of genome editing?

Keith Crabtree, PhD

Are you sure? Understanding the possible traps and dangers with gene editing.

Commitment to excellence: Building a world-class Structural Biology Department at St. Jude
Commitment to excellence: Building a world-class Structural Biology Department at St. Jude
Research

Commitment to excellence: Building a world-class Structural Biology Department at St. Jude

Charalampos Kalodimos, PhD

Read how this rapidly evolving area of science seeks to change the way we look at the world.

With Brian Sorrentino, it was always about more than just the science
With Brian Sorrentino, it was always about more than just the science
Investigator Insights

With Brian Sorrentino, it was about more than just the science

Arthur Nienhuis, MD

His work to discover a cure for SCID revealed his talent as a scientist and collaborator. Read about his discovery and why it’s bittersweet.

Keeping MLK’s spirit of hope alive in a unique way
Keeping MLK’s spirit of hope alive in a unique way
Outreach

Keeping MLK’s spirit of hope alive in a unique way

Cornelius Johnson Jr.

Read how this employee keeps the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alive.

St. Jude Science Scholars of Tomorrow symposium: A learning experience
St. Jude Science Scholars of Tomorrow symposium: A learning experience
Outreach

St. Jude Science Scholars of Tomorrow symposium: A learning experience

Aaron Hervey

Learn about science and medicine, but read how this teen’s experience made a real difference in how he looks at his future.