Translational Neuroscience
Peter M. Grace, Ph.D.
Department Chair Ad Interim
Areas of Research
- Animal Models
- Quality of Life
- Pain
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cancer Treatment-Induced Neurotoxicities
UT MD Anderson's department of Translational Neuroscience (formerly Symptom Research) studies the biological mechanisms by which cancer and its treatment alter the human organism — across neural, immune, and other physiological systems — and translating that understanding into tools to measure, predict, and treat those effects in patients. Cancer and its treatment profoundly alter the biology of the human organism — disrupting molecular and cellular interactions between neural, immune, and other physiological systems to produce effects across the full somatic and neurobehavioral spectrum — from pain, neuropathy, and fatigue to sleep disruption, cognitive impairment, and affective disorders. The Translational Neuroscience department aims to elucidate the mechanisms of these alterations and translate this knowledge into clinical tools that predict, stratify, and ultimately treat these disruptions. Our research spans preclinical and clinical neuroscience through biomarker discovery, therapeutic development, and validated outcome measures — moving the field from description to biology, and from biology to precision medicine.
We Are Hiring!
We are seeking candidates for:
- Assistant Professor research faculty appointments
- Leadership and staff positions for our Artificial Intelligence and Data Science group
See general information about research faculty positions at UT MD Anderson
If you are interested in joining our team in the Translational Neuroscience department, please send your CV to Lori Smith, Department Administrator ad interim. Lori can answer any questions you may have.
Our Research Goals
The overarching goals of the Translational Neuroscience department are to reduce the severity of the symptoms and toxicities of cancer and its treatment and to lessen their effect on daily activities and quality of life.
Symptom Assessment Questionnaires
The Translational Neuroscience department designs and licenses patient-reported outcomes (PRO)-based assessment questionnaires to measure the symptoms patients are experiencing, the degree to which these symptoms interfere with the patient's daily functioning, and how they affect patient quality of life.
Join Us
We highly value hard work, curiosity, innovation, teamwork and professional development in combination with a healthy work/life balance.
Open Positions
Search UT MD Anderson's Careers website to view open positions.
Have questions? Contact Lori Smith to learn more about joining our team.