St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Today’s news marks a meaningful step forward for the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

The Graduate School has earned institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), recognizing the quality of its higher education programs and continued growth.

It’s also a recognition of what has always defined the graduate education experience at St. Jude: high expectations, rigorous training and impactful work. From day one, our students focus on tackling complex challenges in science, medicine and global health, with opportunities to see how their research can translate into real-world influence.

“Accreditation is an important reflection of the quality of education we provide our students,” said Steven Varga, PhD, St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences dean. “As a relatively young institution, achieving this speaks to the growth, progress and firm commitment to continuous improvement we have made over the past 11 years.”

Today we celebrate 31 scientists and clinicians who earned their degrees from the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. These graduates have earned a doctorate in Biomedical Sciences or a master’s degree in Global Child Health or Clinical Investigations, preparing them to lead in research, medicine and global health.

“As you venture into the next phase of your careers, be confident in the knowledge that your skills are in high demand and that your contributions are needed now more than ever,” said Steven Varga, PhD, dean of the Graduate School. “Embrace the opportunities that come your way and never forget the impact you can have on individuals, communities and society.”

With this year’s class, the Graduate School community grows to 130 alumni working to advance cures and improve care for children worldwide. These graduates join a global network committed to addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Commencement Day is here at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Today we celebrate our graduates who will receive their MS and PhD degrees.

The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. CT. We invite you to watch online and help us celebrate this incredible class: https://ow.ly/1X4n50Z83g2

First-year Biomedical Sciences PhD students, peer mentors, faculty and staff came together over lunch to celebrate the end of the 2025 cohort’s first year in the program.

“For all our students, transitioning into the first year of a graduate program can be tough,” said Cassandra VanDunk, PhD, assistant dean of the Biomedical Sciences PhD Program. “We’re so proud of how far you’ve come. This celebration is for you and everyone who has supported you.”

Over the past year, students participated in interactive training programs and lectures, sparking discussions on the latest research findings, theory, methods and ethics. They also completed three lab rotations, spending six weeks in different labs to gain hands-on experience and insight into potential dissertation research paths.

The luncheon gave students a chance to reflect on their individual progress while recognizing the collective strength of their cohort and the support they received from the broader community. We look forward to seeing the labs they choose as they continue their training!

At this year’s “Research in 3" competition, 19 students from the Biomedical Sciences, Global Child Health and Clinical Investigations programs accepted the challenge of condensing their research into compelling three-minute presentations using a single slide for a broad audience.

Through engaging storytelling, students took the audience on a journey of discovery, breaking down complex ideas into accessible insights.

After audience votes were cast and a panel of three judges deliberated, four awards were presented: Best Overall Presentation, Runner-Up Presentation, Best Slide and Audience Choice.

Taiye Taibat Ibiyeye, MS in Global Child Health, earned Best Overall Presentation for “Optimizing Childhood Cancer Care in Nigeria: Cost-Effectiveness of Centralized and Decentralized Models,” while Mahmoud Elzembely, MS in Global Child Health, received Runner-Up for “Strengthening Childhood Cancer Care in Egypt Using the C5 Tool.” Arika Feils, PhD in Biomedical Sciences, was recognized for Best Slide with “Building an Orchestra: Harmonizing CAR and TCR Engineering Strategies to Target AML,” and Jemma Clary, PhD in Biomedical Sciences, earned Audience Choice for “Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus: Bacterial Warfare in the Nose.”

Congratulations to all winners and students who participated! Through clarity and creativity, they demonstrated a commitment to advancing knowledge and making a difference in their fields.

Over the next two weeks, students in the Global Child Health and Global Scholars programs will take part in the Summer Intersession, engaging in learning, collaboration and discussion focused on advancing child health worldwide.

“For this Summer Intersession, we convene a global community of change agents committed to bold thinking and collective action,” said Shaloo Puri, MD, MPH, MPA, senior director of the Global Scholars Program and associate dean of the Global Child Health MS program. “I look forward to the energy they bring, along with the deep conversations and reflections on innovative strategies that will enhance access, improve survivorship and advance equity so that no child is left behind.”

Following the conclusion of Summer Intersession, we will share student reflections on their two-week experience on campus. Stay tuned for more!

The Applied Biomedical Data Sciences (ABDS) Master’s Program celebrated the end of its first year with the ABDS Honors Ceremony, recognizing the students, staff and institutional leaders who helped bring the program to life and make it a success.

Over the past year, the inaugural cohort of seven students completed a rigorous curriculum, building technical and professional skills while growing as scholars and collaborators.

Through the Applied Science Career & Educational Network for Data Scientists (ASCEND) mentorship program, ABDS students were placed in mentoring circles and received guidance on navigating their academic and professional journeys from mentors of all career levels. During the ceremony, ASCEND participants reflected on a year of collaboration, growth and impact. Through their Career Impact Projects, students addressed needs across academic, professional and broader communities while strengthening their leadership and mentorship skills.

“When I first came to St. Jude, I thought, ‘Where can I take my skills?’” said Abby Kaur, ABDS student. “ASCEND helped me plan a roadmap for what I wanted to do in my future career, and my mentoring group emphasized choosing the right lab for me to grow in.”

Awards were presented to students, faculty and staff whose contributions strengthened the program and enriched the ABDS community. Student award recipients included Jewel Wilson (Outstanding Graduate Scholar Award), Naamna Modi (Dean’s Student Award for Program Distinction) and Liane Muir (Rising Star Award).

Now, students will transition into immersive research practicums, applying what they have learned to real-world scientific questions. We are proud of this cohort’s accomplishments and look forward to the impact they will continue to make as emerging biomedical data scientists!