Alumni Stories
From undergraduate and graduate degrees to residencies and fellowships, MD Anderson's education and training programs are as diverse as the types of care we provide.
Here's a look at how our alumni are using the knowledge they gained here to make a difference in their chosen fields.
If you would like the opportunity to be featured in future alumni communications, share your updates with us via the online questionnaire.
Marta M. Alonso, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Clinica Universidad de Navarra
Pamplona (Navarra), Spain
What do a firefighter, licensed truck driver, teacher, and brain tumor researcher have in common?
The answer is Marta M. Alonso, Ph.D., a researcher focusing on the development of advanced therapies, specifically oncolytic viruses, for pediatric brain tumors.
Read more about Marta's story, her work, her mentors and more.
Paul Kurywchak, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Skipper BioMed
Houston, TX
Many saw the apple fall, but Newton asked Why?
Paul Kurywchak, Ph.D., is the kid that most grew up with that asked all the questions about how things work and why they break down. Why is the sky blue? How do dogs’ noses work? How does the human body work? These were but a few of the questions he was curious about as a child.
Read more about Paul's story, his work, his mentors and more.
Kishor Wasan, PLC, R.Ph., Ph.D., FAAPS, FCAHS, FCSPS
The University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
Canada
A Texas-sized career
For as long as Kishor Wasan, PLC, R.Ph., Ph.D. can remember, he has had a fascination with Texas. He has been a fan of the Dallas Cowboys since he was young boy. He often read about Texas and loved everything about it. When it came time to apply for college, on a whim he pursued the pharmacy program at The University of Texas at Austin.
Read more about Kishor's story, his work, his mentors and more.
Amanda Bruegl, M.D.
GYN/Oncologist
Associate Professor
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR
Michelle A.T. Hildebrandt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Lymphoma/Myeloma
Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology, Human Genetics& Environmental Sciences
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
Marvell E. Seymour Major, BSc, ASCP CTCM, MBBS
Cytotechnologist and Medical Doctor
Neoplastic Cytology Laboratory
Nassau, Bahamas
Mark A. Healy, M.D., M.Sc.
Surgical Oncologist
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Gilbert, AZ
Gary Walker, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
Radiation Oncologist and Regional Section Chief
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Adjunct Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Alem A. Belachew, Ph.D.
Director of Client Engagement
salesSEER, Inc.
Houston, TX
2021 Alumni Stories
Clayton Boldt, Ph.D.
Program Manager
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
Shailendra Mudhada, M.D., M.S.
Owner/Director
Dhruv Pathology & Molecular Diagnostic Lab (NABL Accredited)
Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Ashutosh Rao, Ph.D.
Chief, Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry
United States Food and Drug Administration
Silver Spring, MD
Brett J. Theeler, M.D.
Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army Medical Corps
Chair, Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, USUHS
Bethesda, Maryland
Paul Morris, M.D.
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
Queen's Medical Center
Honolulu, HI
Cameron Tharp, B.S., RT(T)
Radiation Therapist
Texas Oncology
San Antonio, TX
Tracy J. Costello, Ph.D.
Career Coach & Professional Development Training Officer
Coach4 Postdocs
Tampa, Florida
Robin Lacour, M.D.
Gynecologic Oncologist
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Greeley, CO
2020 Alumni Stories
Kelsey Maxwell-Acosta, Ph.D.
Dallas, TX
Marites P. Melancon, Ph.D.
Houston, TX
Sara Sheppard, HTL
Houston, TX
Christopher Danos, M.Ed., CG (ASCP)
Houston, TX
Aaron Emfinger, M.S., RT (R)(CT)
Houston, TX
Anushree Sharma, Ph.D., MPH
Los Angeles, CA
Alejandro Tortoriello, M.D.
Houston, TX
Keri Schadler, Ph.D.
Houston, TX
Sarp Korcan Keskin, M.D.
London, UK
Katherine Caceres, HTL
Houston, TX
Kaleena Maria Ramirez, HTL
Houston, TX