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.
Gary Walker, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
Radiation Oncologist
Regional Section Chief of Southeast Division
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Gilbert, AZ
Adjunct Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
A child medical prodigy?
When Gary Walker, M.D. was 3 years old his parents asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. “A doctor,” he replied. And he has never wavered.
Although he had no immediate familial influence that led him in the direction of pursuing a medical career, he remembers when the father of a friend talked to his Kindergarten class about what it was like to be a doctor. And losing a close friend to cancer in high school continued to fuel his interest in medicine. Throughout his youth he had positive interactions with physicians which developed a great respect and admiration for the trust patients have with their physicians. Just like the physicians that influenced him, he wanted to help and serve people in a way that improved their lives.
Read more about Gary's story, his work, his mentors and more.
Michelle A.T. Hildebrandt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Lymphoma/Myeloma
Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
From the farm to the research lab
Growing up in a rural area of Minnesota, Michelle was always around farm animals, which had a significant influence on her decision to become a veterinarian. She spent time during high school riding with a local veterinarian as he went from farm-to-farm caring for the animals.
During her undergraduate studies, she had a change of heart. She realized that, as a veterinarian, most of her time would be spent doing routine procedures in the clinic. Her interest in genetics and determining the “why” grew strong, leading her to shift gears and pursue a career in genetic research. She gave up her hard-earned slot in veterinary school for a Ph.D. doing pharmacogenetics research and then joined MD Anderson as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology. Her desire was to better understand genetic variation among populations, identifying genetics that further the ability to predict and refine the risk of cancer treatments and prevention of future disease.
Read more about Michelle's story, her work, her mentors and more.
Mark A. Healy, M.D., M.Sc.
Surgical Oncologist
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Gilbert, AZ
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
Alem A. Belachew, Ph.D.
Director of Client Engagement
salesSEER, Inc.
Houston, TX
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
Clayton Boldt, Ph.D.
Program Manager
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
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