Translational Neuroscience Faculty and Staff

Lori F. Smith, M.B.A.
Administrative Director

Lori is the department's financial specialist. She has been with UT MD Anderson for more than 25 years. After transitioning to the department of Translational Neuroscience as a financial analyst more than 20 years ago, she was soon named the department's first operations manager. In these capacities, Lori has managed research grant post-awards and financial budgets as well as human resources, classified recruitment, visas, and educational appointments. With her years of service to the department and her wealth of experience, she has steadily established herself as a cornerstone of the group’s financial core. 

Lori recently completed her second stint as department administrator ad interim, having previously served in this capacity for 14 months before moving into the administrative director position.

Lori  is an active participant in numerous department and division activities, including training, process improvement, and event planning.

Darrick D. Jackson, M.B.A.
Operations Manager

Darrick primarily handles departmental human resources activities for classified staff positions, manages computer equipment and supervises the faculty administrative support team. He earned a B.S. in health administration and an M.B.A. from Texas Southern University. Simply put, Darrick continually strives to prove his competence to himself, and since joining UT MD Anderson in 2019, he has done just that: having begun as an administrative assistant, he quickly progressed to senior administrative assistant, executive assistant, office manager, and now operations manager.

"I’m here to make everyone’s job a little easier."

Krista K. Cooley
Executive Assistant

Krista brings more than 10 years of experience to her position as executive assistant to the department chair. Besides providing administrative support to Dr. Peter Grace, chair ad interim, she coordinates faculty recruitment, evaluations, promotions and credentialing, and she coordinates special events.

Christopher J. Lopez, M.B.A.
Education Program Coordinator

Chris has more than a decade of experience in coordinating, advising and managing educational appointments for clinical and research trainees. He also oversees visa processes for department trainees and clinical staff, and he supports the department's financial management activities and contributes expertise in marketing, communications and wellness. Given education's pivotal role in combating cancer, Chris strives to aid trainees in furthering their careers at UT MD Anderson, harnessing the talents of the best and brightest to advance the institution’s mission in today’s competitive landscape.

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."

Nathan A. Goodwin, B.S.
Program Manager

Nathan is a certified clinical research professional with 10 years’ experience across multiple research areas, including behavioral science, oncology and neurology. He provides high-level support in research administration, business, and project management for the Patient-Centered Analytics Section within the department. In addition, he is the administrative project manager for the department's Preclinical Behavior Core.

“Patient-centered analytics on the large scale will be a pinnacle of cancer research in the very near future. My goal is to help our faculty promote and grow that research for our institution and our patients.”

Jeanie F. Woodruff, B.S., ELS
Senior Technical Writer/Editor and Website Editor

Jeanie is a board-certified editor in the life sciences with more than 20 years’ experience in the areas of oncology and cardiology. She provides high-level substantive editing for department publications and grants, and she curates the department’s websites and internal storefront. Originally an art major, she ultimately earned a bachelor's degree in behavioral science. Scientific editing and website design allow her to indulge both the creative and the analytical sides of her personality.

“Research births a story of why, how, and what was learned. My passion is to help our faculty tell these stories with clarity, precision, and a compelling narrative.”

Kristin L. Van Houten
Program Manager

Kristin began her career in medicine in 1996 at The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center (UT Medical School) in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. She came to UT MD Anderson in 2000 to work in Gynecologic Oncology. In 2011, she transferred to Translational Neuroscience, where she currently manages the symptom assessment tools licensing program.

"One person can make a difference, and everyone should try." – John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Andrew T. Anderson, B.B.A.
Program Coordinator

Andrew helps create and finalize symptom tool orders for other organizations to use, and he also handles collections. He received his BBA in accounting from Harding University. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys sports, television and movies.

"Never let go of what brings you joy, for happiness is the fuel that keeps you moving forward, no matter the obstacles."

Sharlet A. Gordon
Senior Administrative Assistant

Sharlet joined Translational Neuroscience in November 2016 as administrative support for the department's symptom tools licensing efforts. In that capacity, she collects money from delinquent accounts, processes tool requests, and bills customers who place orders through the online order form. She also supplies translation certificates and license agreements to customers. Sharlet has an extensive background in accounting and has experience in both oil and gas and real estate.

In her spare time, Sharlet is involved in her church, loves to watch movies and practices retail therapy whenever she can.