Investigator Insights

Meet the people who conduct research at St. Jude as they share their stories of life in science.

Photo of Brad Heckmann
Photo of Brad Heckmann

What I discovered during my postdoctoral fellowship shaped my scientific steps

Brad Heckmann, PhD

After being a part of a significant scientific discovery, this postdoctoral fellow offers these tips for others to succeed in science.

My journey to clinical research and becoming a grant-funded scientist
My journey to clinical research and becoming a grant-funded scientist

My journey to clinical research and becoming a grant-funded scientist

Dylan Graetz, MD, MPH

Read how this place is perfect for physicians to pursue research to enhance pediatric health care throughout the world.

Newly elected National Academy of Sciences member talks about his research and how it continues despite a global pandemic
Newly elected National Academy of Sciences member talks about his research and how it continues despite a global pandemic

Newly elected National Academy of Sciences member talks about his research and how it continues despite a global pandemic

St. Jude Progress

This St. Jude researcher has spent his career studying cell death – and was recently elected to a select group, the National Academy of Sciences.

Legendary flu hunter offers tips to stay healthy during a pandemic
Legendary flu hunter offers tips to stay healthy during a pandemic

Legendary flu hunter offers tips to stay healthy during a pandemic

Mary Powers

This researcher's recommendations on coronavirus are based on 65 years of infectious diseases and viral research.

A neuroscientist finds a niche at a cancer research hospital
A neuroscientist finds a niche at a cancer research hospital

A neuroscientist finds a niche at St. Jude

Mary Powers

A neuroscientist studying the brain’s fight-or-flight response is learning more about developing brains and this about pediatric brain tumors.

Searching for John Smith: Out of the Shadows
Searching for John Smith: Out of the Shadows

Searching for John Smith: Out of the Shadows

Elizabeth Jane Walker

Even though he treated patients and conducted research until 1978, little was known about John W. Smith, the first African American physician at St. Jude.

Ilaria Iacobucci Research Staff of the Year
Ilaria Iacobucci Research Staff of the Year

Research Staff of the Year honoree Ilaria Iacobucci loves her work more than she misses Italy

Gary Bridgman

Staff scientist in Charles Mullighan’s pathology lab praised for new experimental approaches to leukemia pathogenesis and for helping others.

The emotional toll of pediatric oncology
The emotional toll of pediatric oncology

The emotional toll of pediatric oncology

Dylan Graetz, MD, MPH

Read how this pediatric oncologist describes hers and her patient’s journey through cancer treatment.

How my global journey led to St. Jude
How my global journey led to St. Jude

How my global journey led to St. Jude

Shaloo Puri, MD

An early dream of being an astronaut planted the seeds of exploration and making a difference in this college dean.

17th Generation Samurai Fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at St. Jude
17th Generation Samurai Fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at St. Jude

The 17 Samurai

Hiroto Inaba, MD, PhD

Hiroto Inaba: scientist, pediatric oncologist and "first son" of an old samurai family. His unfortunate enemy: childhood cancer.