When doctors diagnosed her niece with vitiligo—a chronic autoimmune skin condition—Joan Jacob, PhD, GSBS ’24, was still in middle school. Unsatisfied that her niece would need ultraviolet light treatments that could potentially cause skin cancer, Joan scoured publicly available research literature for alternatives.

Now a graduate of MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School and a postdoctoral researcher at Baylor College of Medicine, Joan works to improve immunotherapy treatments for children with cancer. We asked her about her time at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School and the endowed fellowship that helped support her education.

Why did you choose MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School for your PhD?

I interviewed at many different institutions when I was deciding which graduate school to attend. But what really stood out about UTHealth Houston was how much the students seemed to enjoy being there. These were advanced students who had been at the university for a while, and they still loved it. That showed a lot about the institution.

There was also something different about the environment. I could tell that the administration truly cared about the students, and I felt like my voice would be heard.

What was it like being a student here?

It far exceeded my expectations of what grad school would be like, and I cherish the memories I made along the way. The school was very collaborative and supportive. I was able to glean so much from other students and learn from different professors who are experts in their fields. The school also has a great career development program, which provides guidance and resources for taking those next steps.  

What kind of research did you work on while you were a student?

I worked on finding antibody-based drugs to treat colorectal cancer—developing therapeutics that would translate beyond the laboratory bench to make a positive impact in patients’ lives. My research started with molecular and basic biology, moving all the way to using translational models to test the effectiveness of these treatments.  

Looking back, how well did your time at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School prepare you for your current role?

As a postdoctoral associate, I am still heavily involved in research. My time at the school prepared me to develop solid experimental plans and have adequate controls. I also learned time management and how to lead research technicians. The environment helped me come into my current role ready and equipped with the tools I need to talk about science with others and learn from my fellow lab members and scientists.

I understand that you received the John J. Kopchick Fellowship during the fourth year of your PhD program. What did that mean to you, and how did it help you during your studies?

Receiving the fellowship really validated me as a scientist, encouraging me that my work was making an impact in my field. It was also a great financial resource because my husband and I were about to have a baby, and the fellowship helped us save some extra funds to prepare for our child. Again, the fellowship was a great help, and I was so happy when I received it.

What would you say to those who give or have given to support the school?

Thank you so much for all that you've done for our school and all that you do for the students. The impact that you make really does affect each and every one of us.