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.
Alem A. Belachew, Ph.D.
Director of Client Engagement
salesSEER, Inc.
Houston, TX
Seeking to understand the "why?"
Losing her father at the age of 12 to kidney cancer was the spark that ignited a curiosity that fueled Alem Belachew’s career.
Read more about Alem's story, her work, her mentors and more.
Clayton Boldt, Ph.D.
Program Manager
Public Relations
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
A change for the better
Leaving a life in the lab for a career in science communications seems like a far-fetched transition, but it’s a leap that Clayton Boldt, Ph.D., knew he had to take if he wanted to follow his heart.
Clayton developed a passion for science as a child and spent his entire academic journey pursuing it. But as he completed his doctorate in genetics, Clayton had a hunch that he wouldn’t find his dream job in the field of research. Still, he accepted a postdoctoral opportunity at MD Anderson for the opportunity to contribute to research that could positively impact patients. As a kid growing up in Beaumont, Clayton had always heard amazing stories about MD Anderson and reveled in the idea of joining its workforce.
Read more about Clayton's story, his work, his mentors and more.
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
Sarp Korcan Keskin, M.D.
Physician, Assistant Professor & Senior Clinical Fellow
Imperial College London
Katherine Caceres, HTL
Histology Technician
Sagis Diagnostics
Houston, TX
Kaleena Maria Ramirez, HTL
Education Coordinator
School of Health Professions Histotechnology Program
MD Anderson Cancer Center
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
Kelsey Maxwell-Acosta, Ph.D.
Clinical Scientist
ExecuPharm
Dallas, TX
Marites P. Melancon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Interventional Radiology
Director, Summer Experience & Odyssey Fellowship Programs
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Sara Sheppard, HTL
Senior Research Histology Technician
Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Christopher Danos, M.Ed., CG (ASCP)
Clinical Cytogenetic Technologist
Department of Cytogenetics
MD Anderson Cancer Center
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
Aaron Emfinger, M.S., RT (R)(CT)
CT Technologist
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
Anushree Sharma, Ph.D., MPH
Observational Research Manager
Amgen
Los Angeles, CA
Alejandro Tortoriello, M.D.
Program Manager
Strategic Industry Ventures
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Keri Schadler, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics Research
MD Anderson Cancer Center