Alumni Stories & Spotlights

Gavin Gearhart Enck, Ph.D., HEC-C
Assistant Professor, Critical Care Medicine
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

Embrace the richness and complexity
In his current role as assistant professor and newly named clinical ethics fellowship program director, Enck continues to focus on moral philosophy, epistemology and neuroethics. Since coming to MD Anderson in January 2024, he has worked to revise and relaunch Epic’s clinical ethics consultation documentation and update the clinical ethics fellowship program to focus on gaining experience in the clinical setting.

Read more about Dr. Enck

Nadja Falk, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pathology
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM

A rekindled passion for pathology
Nadja Falk, M.D., thought she wanted to be a reconstructive plastic surgeon. But two years into her categorical general surgery residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan, she decided to explore research in the field. MD Anderson, in her hometown of Houston, offered a postdoctoral fellowship with faculty leading research in plastic surgery and biomedical engineering – a combination she felt perfectly complemented her desired career track.

                                                               Read more about Dr. Falk

Carlos A. Torres-Cabala, M.D.
Professor, Pathology, Dermatology and Translational Molecular Pathology
Section Chief, Dermatopathology
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

An unrivaled place to learn
During his fellowship, Torres-Cabala encountered a large volume of rare and complex dermatopathology cases, allowing him to refine his expertise under the guidance of world-renouned faculty.

Read more about Dr. Torres-Cabala

Hanh Pham
Histology Technician
ADG Houston Path PLLC
Houston, TX

Be confident and remember why you started
Pham’s interest in the medical field blossomed while she was taking high school science classes, compelling her to volunteer at a local hospital, where she had the opportunity to engage with patients, nurses and the medical technicians working behind the scenes. This experience solidified Pham’s decision to study science at Lone Star College and discover the next step on her educational journey.

Read more about Hanh

Jan M. Eberth, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Health Management and Policy
Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health
Philadelphia, PA

Embracing opportunities for growth
Eberth received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Clemson University in 2004 before making her way to Texas, where she received her Master of Science in Public Health from the Texas A&M Health Science Center in 2006 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology from The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston in 2010.

Read more about Dr. Eberth

Kerry Strong Russell, M.D., Ph.D.
Independent Consultant for Clinical Development
Boston, MA

The goal was MD Anderson
Russell graduated from Rice University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, then joined the Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy dual degree program the UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS).

Read more about Dr. Russell

 

Monica L. Huang, M.D.
Associate Professor, Breast Imaging
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

Grateful for MD Anderson
Since 2013, Monica Huang, M.D., has called MD Anderson home. An alumna of the Breast Imaging Fellowship Program, founder and director of the Breast Cryoablation Program and associate professor in the Department of Breast Imaging, Huang is grateful for the opportunities MD Anderson has provided and the inspiration she finds from her patients and colleagues.

Read more about Dr. Huang

Eduardo A. Vega, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Surgery
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Boston, MA

The journey continues
For Eduardo A. Vega, M.D., a former research postdoctoral fellow in the department of Surgical Oncology, his gratitude to MD Anderson knows no bounds. His experience not only shaped his approach to research but also has provided continued mentorship, collaboration and inspiration.

Read more about Dr. Vega

Kelly Ritter, MSHS, MLS(ASCP)^CMSM^CM
Professor of Biology, Tyler Junior College  |  Tyler, TX

Adjunct Instructor, School of Medicine and Sciences, Biomedical Laboratory
Sciences Department, The George Washington University  |  Washington, D.C.

Always keep learning
Kelly received her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from SHP in 2013 and a Master of Science in Clinical Microbiology from The George Washington University in 2021. She is now pursuing a Doctorate in Health Sciences with a focus on health care leadership in clinical practice and education settings.

Read more about Kelly.

2024 MD Anderson Cancer Center Distinguished Alumnus
Chen Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Pathology
Anthony N. Brady Professor of Pathology
Yale School of Medicine

Chief of Pathology
Yale New Haven Hospital


Read Dr. Chen Liu's spotlight

Rakhee Bajaj, Ph.D.
Strategy and Business Development Manager
Sathgen Therapeutics/Godavari Biorefineries Limited
Mumbai, India

Bridging the gap
Dr. Rakhee Bajaj completed her Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 2022. She is the Strategy and Business Development Manager for Sathgen Therapeutics/Godavari Biorefineries Limited.

Read more about Dr. Bajaj.

Liam Lee, Ph.D.
Senior Medical Director
Biomarkers and Diagnostics Strategy Team Lead
AstraZeneca
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Dr. Lee earned his bachelor of science degree in Molecular Genetics Technology in 2010 from the MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions (SHP). Dr. Lee credits his experience at SHP and MD Anderson, as well as SHP associate dean and Molecular Genetic Technology program director Peter Hu, Ph.D., for cultivating his career and often encourages others to pursue a similar path at SHP.

Read more about Dr. Lee.

Jovanka Gencel-Augusto, Ph.D.
University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California

Dr. Gencel-Augusto is a graduate of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She completed her doctoral degree in Genetics & Epigenetics in 2023 and has earned the UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of California San Francisco. 

Read the full story on Dr. Gencel-Augusto published by the MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School

Timothy Gregory, M.D.
Neuro-oncologist, Madigan Army Medical Center
Assistant Professor, Uniformed Services University
Core Faculty, Neurology Residency Program
Joint Base Lewis McChord
Tacoma, Washington

The path to Neuro-Oncology
Timothy Gregory, M.D., an alumnus of the MD Anderson Neuro-Oncology Fellowship program, credits his education and training, mentors, colleagues and patients for shaping him into the physician he is today and preparing him for his current role as an assistant professor of neuro-oncology at Uniformed Services University.

Read more about Dr. Gregory

Benjamin Schrank, M.D., Ph.D.
Resident Physician, Radiation Oncology
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Resident physician foucses on improving LGBTQ+ cancer care
Schrank, a resident physician in Radiation Oncology, is passionate about creating an environment that's inclusive, caring and safe for everyone. That passion is why he's a founding member of MD Anderson's Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Care & Research Committee, focused on improving the care provided to LGBTQ+ patients.

Read the full story on Benjamin Schrank, M.D., Ph.D. published on our Cancerwise blog

Prashasnika Gehlot, Ph.D.
Director, Research Planning & Development
Applied Cancer Science Institute
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Dream the biggest dreams and follow them
After completing her postdoctoral fellowship in Cancer Biology and Translational Research at MD Anderson in 2016 and serving as a project scientist for The Jackson Laboratory in 2017, Prashasnika Gehlot, Ph.D., knew she would find her way back to the MD Anderson campus one day.

Read more about Dr. Gehlot.

Hussein Abbas, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Leukemia
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

From trainee to faculty: For leukemia specialist and researcher, all roads lead back to MD Anderson
On a Saturday in late February, Hussein Abbas, M.D., Ph.D., celebrated becoming a U.S. citizen. It was nearly two decades in the making and the culmination of a journey that began when he fled a bombing in his hometown of Beirut to begin working toward his Ph.D. at MD Anderson in 2006.

Read the full story on Hussein Abbas, M.D., Ph.D. published on our Cancerwise blog

Brittany C. Parker Kerrigan, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Research Planning & Development
Department of Neurosurgery
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Connections: STEM for all and a passion for pitching
One of the earliest memories of Brittany Parker Kerrigan, Ph.D., is plucking bugs from her family's pool and trying to bring them back to life.


Read the full story on Brittany C. Parker Kerrigan, Ph.D. published on Inside MD Anderson

Peter C. Hu, Ph.D.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
School of Health Professions
Houston, Texas

Dr. Hu wears many hats at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions. He oversees research initiatives for the School of Health Professions. He is responsible for providing strategic direction to grow school programs, including recruitment and retention of students and the teaching faculty. He also oversees the diagnostic molecular science-based school programs.
 

Read more about Peter C. Hu, Ph.D.

Marta M. Alonso, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Clinica Universidad de Navarra
Pamplona (Navarra), Spain

Dr. Alonso was raised in the small town of Lodosa (Navarra) in Spain. As a child, she described herself as a "happy camper" with a normal childhood. As she began to think about what she wanted to do with her life, she knew she wanted to be in a career where her work made a positive difference in the lives of others. She gravitated toward biological sciences, and it was a high school teacher who helped "spark her light" in deciding to pursue a research career.


Read more about Marta M. Alonso, Ph.D.