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On Thursday, August 7th,  nearly 300 students in the 18 summer programs that make up our CATALYST Summer Research Training Programs showcased their hands-on oncology research projects during one of three themed sessions, each organized according to the focus of their research. We¡¯re incredibly proud of all the students for their dedication and growth¡ªand offer special congratulations to those whose presentations were recognized by our judges:

On Friday, July 26th, CATALYST Summer Program trainees attended the Making a Good Impression and Presenting Your Science Effectively event. The session featured guest speakers Dr. Mallory C. Glenn and Dr. Raquel Salinas, who shared valuable insights on how to communicate scientific research with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Trainees learned strategies for effective science presentations, networking, and building a strong personal presence in academic and professional settings.

Mallory C. Glenn, Ph.D. An Assistant Professor in Radiation Physics at MD Anderson Cancer Center and a faculty member at UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She is a board-certified medical physicist whose research focuses on improving quality assurance in radiation therapy and treatment planning systems. Dr. Glenn is also committed to mentoring and professional development, actively supporting early-career scientists through teaching and leadership in national medical physics organizations.

Raquel Salinas, Ph.D. A dedicated leader in graduate education and career development, with extensive experience supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds in science and academia. She brings a deep understanding of inclusive practices in professional growth, and her work centers on empowering scholars to communicate their research with clarity and purpose. Dr. Salinas regularly leads seminars on effective presentation, identity in STEM, and strategies for making lasting impressions.

This event focused on helping trainees develop strong communication skills, enhance their professional presence, and present their science in a clear and impactful way. Thank you to guest speakers Dr. Mallory C. Glenn and Dr. Raquel Salinas for sharing their time, insights, and expertise.

On Friday, June 27th, CATALYST Summer Program trainees attended the Sneak Peek into Industry panel featuring professionals from the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. Panelists shared their experiences, compared academic and industry career paths, and offered advice to those considering both options. The session provided valuable insights and thoughtful discussion for trainees planning their futures. Learn more about the panelists and their backgrounds below.

Percy Carter, Ph.D., M.B.A. Chief Scientific Officer, Blueprint Medicines

Percy Carter brings over 20 years of leadership in the pharmaceutical industry. Before joining Blueprint Medicines, he was CSO at FibroGen and previously led global discovery sciences at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, overseeing 700+ staff. He spent nearly two decades at Bristol-Myers Squibb in senior drug discovery roles and began his career at DuPont Pharmaceuticals. Percy holds over 28 U.S. patents and has published extensively. He earned his A.B. in Chemistry from Dartmouth, Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Harvard, and an MBA from MIT.

Kristian Jensen, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Biology and Structural Biology, Schr?dinger

Kristian Jensen leads biology and structural biology at Schr?dinger, where he co-directs the discovery portfolio and oversees target enablement labs. Since joining in 2017, he has built a multidisciplinary team focused on therapeutic discovery, including oncology. Previously, he held senior roles at Merck, advancing drug discovery in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. He holds a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Copenhagen.

Gary Marshall, Ph.D. Executive Director, Project Leadership, Repare Therapeutics

Gary Marshall is a drug discovery scientist with over two decades of experience in pharma and biotech. At Repare Therapeutics, he leads oncology programs through early clinical development, including a PLK4 inhibitor for pediatric neuroblastoma. He previously led projects at FORMA and
Merck, advancing therapies for sickle cell disease and myeloproliferative disorders. Dr. Marshall earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from McMaster University and completed postdoctoral work at Harvard. He actively publishes and mentors¡¯ young scientists from McMaster and Harvard.

The panel offered trainees a rare opportunity to hear directly from accomplished scientists shaping today¡¯s biotech landscape. We¡¯re grateful to our panelists for sharing their time, insights, and encouragement with the next generation of researchers.

On Friday, June 20th, The CATALYST Summer Program hosted a Graduate School Panel designed to give our trainees a closer look at the graduate school experience. Faculty and students from the UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) joined us to share valuable insights into the application process, academic life, research opportunities, and career pathways in the biomedical sciences. The panel speakers are listed below.

Cara Biddle Ph.D. Student, Biomedical Sciences, GSBS

Trey Waldrop M.D./Ph.D. Student, Medical Scientist Training Program, GSBS

Dr. Jian Hu, Ph.D. Professor, Cancer Biology & Director, Cancer Biology Program, GSBS

Tanieka Young, MBS, MSHRD Program Manager, Student Affairs, GSBS

Dr. Stacey Mueller-Ortiz, Ph.D. Administrative Director, M.D./Ph.D. Program, GSBS & McGovern Medical School

We sincerely appreciate our speakers for sharing their time, insights, and dedication to supporting and inspiring our CATALYST trainees as they pursue paths toward becoming the next generation of scientists and medical leaders. 

On Thursday, June 12th, the CATALYST Summer Program hosted a dynamic and inspiring Faculty and Career Panel, bringing together over 200 trainees for an engaging discussion on academic and professional pathways in science and healthcare. The event featured esteemed panelists who shared insights on career development, mentorship, and navigating the field as future leaders:

Dr. James Allison, Ph.D. Professor, Chair, and VP in The Department of Immunology ¨C James P. Allison Institute

Dr. James Allison is a renowned cancer immunologist and 2018 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking work in cancer
immunotherapy. He serves as Regental Professor and Chair of Immunology, Director of the James P. Allison Institute, and leads multiple research initiatives at MD Anderson Cancer Center focused on T cell regulation and immune-based cancer treatments.

Dr. Ronald DePinho, M.D. Professor in The Department of Cancer Biology

Dr. Ronald A. DePinho is a physician-scientist and former President of MD Anderson Cancer Center (2011¨C2017). Inspired by the loss of his father to colon cancer in 1998, he dedicated his career to reducing the burden of cancer through research and innovation.

Dr. Rebecca Howell, Ph.D. Professor in The Department of Radiation Physics

Dr. Rebecca M. Howell is a board-certified medical physicist with 20 years of clinical experience and a Professor at MD Anderson. She leads the Radiation Dosimetry Services and Late Effects Group, guiding a team of scientists and graduate students. She also serves as Deputy Director of the Medical Physics Graduate Program at the MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School.

The panel offered a unique opportunity for trainees to connect with experienced faculty, ask questions, and gain valuable guidance for their future careers.

On June 2nd, we welcomed nearly 300 trainees to our research facilities to begin one of our 18 summer CATALYST training programs. These trainees, ranging from high school students to first-year medical students, will spend the next 10 weeks conducting research alongside our accomplished faculty mentors.

During orientation, they had the opportunity to attend a resource fair featuring representatives from the Graduate School, Human Resources, Parking Services, and other key offices and vendors. A highlight of the day was the intensive Cancer Biology Bootcamp, taught by graduate students from GSBS, which provided a strong foundation to prepare trainees for their summer at MD Anderson.

To ensure their experience is as enriching as possible, trainees will also take part in academic and professional development programming throughout the summer, as outlined below.