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OUR MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD
Our Medical Advisory Board is a well-educated team of professionals that provides Joshua's Wish with very important information regarding childhood cancer. They come from all walks of life and we are grateful they are using their intellect to aid us in the fight for a cure.
Matthew Halbert
Co-Chair
PhD Candidate in Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Rangos Research Center
Department of Neurological Surgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital
Matthew received his undergraduate training in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Mercer University. Through the Joshua's Wish Summer Research Award, he completed multiple fellowships at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada studying DIPG and other aggressive brain tumors.
He is now at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine completing his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pathology with a focus on modeling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) to discover innovative methods of treating this aggressive disease. Matthew's current thesis is focused on diet-based treatments, which are currently beginning clinical trials in Switzerland.
PhD Candidate in Cellular and Molecular Pathology
Rangos Research Center
Department of Neurological Surgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital
Matthew received his undergraduate training in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Mercer University. Through the Joshua's Wish Summer Research Award, he completed multiple fellowships at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada studying DIPG and other aggressive brain tumors.
He is now at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine completing his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pathology with a focus on modeling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) to discover innovative methods of treating this aggressive disease. Matthew's current thesis is focused on diet-based treatments, which are currently beginning clinical trials in Switzerland.
Dr. Lionel Chow, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Dr. Chow received his medical and graduate research training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He subsequently completed clinical training in Pediatrics followed by Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. Further research training focused on brain tumors was obtained at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.
He is now at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati where he heads a research laboratory investigating a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer in children called High-Grade Glioma (HGG). Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is one type of HGG with a particularly devastating outcome in children. Using a combination of laboratory models for the disease and human tumor specimens, Dr. Chow hopes to gain a better understanding of this terrible disease in order to design new and more effective ways to treat patients.
Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Dr. Chow received his medical and graduate research training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He subsequently completed clinical training in Pediatrics followed by Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. Further research training focused on brain tumors was obtained at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.
He is now at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati where he heads a research laboratory investigating a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer in children called High-Grade Glioma (HGG). Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is one type of HGG with a particularly devastating outcome in children. Using a combination of laboratory models for the disease and human tumor specimens, Dr. Chow hopes to gain a better understanding of this terrible disease in order to design new and more effective ways to treat patients.
Dr. Gabriella Kacsoh, MD
Pediatrician
Primary Pediatrics
Macon, Georgia
Dr. Gabriella Kacsoh joined Primary Pediatrics in January of 2002. She graduated from the Semmelweis University School of Medicine in Budapest, Hungary and completed her residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, GA from 1996-1999. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children and enjoys photography and reading. She is married to Balint Kacsoh, MD, PhD and has 3 children: Balint, Dori, and Adam.
Primary Pediatrics
Macon, Georgia
Dr. Gabriella Kacsoh joined Primary Pediatrics in January of 2002. She graduated from the Semmelweis University School of Medicine in Budapest, Hungary and completed her residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, GA from 1996-1999. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children and enjoys photography and reading. She is married to Balint Kacsoh, MD, PhD and has 3 children: Balint, Dori, and Adam.
Suzanne Cassidy
Director of the Law Library and Professor of Law
Furman Smith Law Library
Mercer University School of Law
Suzanne Loyd Cassidy teaches first year Introduction to Legal Research and the elective, Advanced Legal Research, in addition to managing law library operations and coordinating legal research instruction in the Law School. She was appointed Director of the Law Library and Associate Professor of Law in 2000, and has held the rank of Professor of Law since 2005. Prior to joining Mercer Law School in 1987 as a reference librarian, Professor Cassidy practiced law in Macon and served as a law clerk to the late Honorable Duross Fitzpatrick, United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.
Professor Cassidy received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, a J.D. cum laude from Mercer Law School, where she served as Associate Fifth Circuit Survey Editor of the Mercer Law Review, and a master’s degree in Information Studies from Florida State University, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Furman Smith Law Library
Mercer University School of Law
Suzanne Loyd Cassidy teaches first year Introduction to Legal Research and the elective, Advanced Legal Research, in addition to managing law library operations and coordinating legal research instruction in the Law School. She was appointed Director of the Law Library and Associate Professor of Law in 2000, and has held the rank of Professor of Law since 2005. Prior to joining Mercer Law School in 1987 as a reference librarian, Professor Cassidy practiced law in Macon and served as a law clerk to the late Honorable Duross Fitzpatrick, United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.
Professor Cassidy received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, a J.D. cum laude from Mercer Law School, where she served as Associate Fifth Circuit Survey Editor of the Mercer Law Review, and a master’s degree in Information Studies from Florida State University, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Dr. Kevin Bucholtz, PhD
Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry
Director of Undergraduate Research
Mercer University
Dr. Bucholtz received his B. S. in Chemistry at Gannon University in Erie, PA. He completed his M. S. and Ph. D. in Chemistry at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. His thesis work investigated the design and synthesis of a small molecule receptor to bind to Lipid A for integration into biosensors for Gram (-) bacteria.
He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Mercer University in Macon, GA. He has become tenured and promoted to Associate Professor and subsequently selected as the chair for the Department of
Chemistry. His research interests focus on problems in bio-organic chemistry and specifically in collaboration with James Thomas in the Mercer University School of Medicine, investigating the development of novel inhibitors of 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as a potential treatment for hormone sensitive breast tumors. He also was appointed as the Director of Undergraduate Research in the Senior Vice Provost's Office for Research. In this position, Dr. Bucholtz helps facilitate and oversee undergraduate research initiatives and programs.
Department of Chemistry
Director of Undergraduate Research
Mercer University
Dr. Bucholtz received his B. S. in Chemistry at Gannon University in Erie, PA. He completed his M. S. and Ph. D. in Chemistry at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. His thesis work investigated the design and synthesis of a small molecule receptor to bind to Lipid A for integration into biosensors for Gram (-) bacteria.
He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Mercer University in Macon, GA. He has become tenured and promoted to Associate Professor and subsequently selected as the chair for the Department of
Chemistry. His research interests focus on problems in bio-organic chemistry and specifically in collaboration with James Thomas in the Mercer University School of Medicine, investigating the development of novel inhibitors of 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as a potential treatment for hormone sensitive breast tumors. He also was appointed as the Director of Undergraduate Research in the Senior Vice Provost's Office for Research. In this position, Dr. Bucholtz helps facilitate and oversee undergraduate research initiatives and programs.
Dr. Christopher Cawley, MD
Pediatrician
Primary Pediatrics
Macon, Georgia
Dr. Chris Cawley is a pediatrician with Primary Pediatrics in Macon, Georgia. He received his bachelors degree from Georgia College and State University in 1997 and graduated from the Mercer University School of Medicine in 2005. He completed residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in 2008.
Primary Pediatrics
Macon, Georgia
Dr. Chris Cawley is a pediatrician with Primary Pediatrics in Macon, Georgia. He received his bachelors degree from Georgia College and State University in 1997 and graduated from the Mercer University School of Medicine in 2005. He completed residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in 2008.
Dr. Robert A. Johnson
Principal Investigator
Center for Childhood Cancer
The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH
Dr. Johnson received his PhD degree in Neuroscience from the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences in New York, NY investigating the transcriptional regulation of the MDR1 gene by the p53 family of proteins (p63 and p73). He continued these studies as a post-doctoral fellow at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ. Interested in pediatric brain tumor development he continued his post-doctoral career in the Developmental Neurobiology department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. In 2010 he became a Principal Investigator at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Johnson helped to develop the first mouse model for ependymoma, the third most common pediatric brain tumor and the most common adult spinal cord tumor. Up to 40% of cases are incurable and chemotherapy for the most part is ineffective. His laboratory is currently investigating the signaling pathways and genetic mutations involved in the development of this disease in hopes of identifying alternative treatment options.
Center for Childhood Cancer
The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH
Dr. Johnson received his PhD degree in Neuroscience from the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences in New York, NY investigating the transcriptional regulation of the MDR1 gene by the p53 family of proteins (p63 and p73). He continued these studies as a post-doctoral fellow at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ. Interested in pediatric brain tumor development he continued his post-doctoral career in the Developmental Neurobiology department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. In 2010 he became a Principal Investigator at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Johnson helped to develop the first mouse model for ependymoma, the third most common pediatric brain tumor and the most common adult spinal cord tumor. Up to 40% of cases are incurable and chemotherapy for the most part is ineffective. His laboratory is currently investigating the signaling pathways and genetic mutations involved in the development of this disease in hopes of identifying alternative treatment options.
Dr. Oren J. Becher, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Department of Pediatrics
Duke University School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Becher received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD and residency in Pediatrics from Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He completed his fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY where his research focused on gliomas in children. Dr. Becher joined Duke University in 2010.
Dr. Becher’s laboratory interests are to apply genetic mouse models of pediatric brain tumors to prioritize the translation of novel agents into clinical trials. In particular, his laboratory is using a genetic mouse model of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) to determine therapeutic targets, unravel ways to bypass the blood-brain-barrier, and investigate region-specific differences between gliomagenesis in the brainstem and the cortex. His laboratory is also developing improved genetic mouse models of DIPG and applying them as preclinical tools to help prioritize the translation of novel agents into clinical trials for DIPG. Moreover, his lab is interested in investigating mechanisms of resistance towards novel targeted agents.
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Department of Pediatrics
Duke University School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Becher received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD and residency in Pediatrics from Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He completed his fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY where his research focused on gliomas in children. Dr. Becher joined Duke University in 2010.
Dr. Becher’s laboratory interests are to apply genetic mouse models of pediatric brain tumors to prioritize the translation of novel agents into clinical trials. In particular, his laboratory is using a genetic mouse model of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) to determine therapeutic targets, unravel ways to bypass the blood-brain-barrier, and investigate region-specific differences between gliomagenesis in the brainstem and the cortex. His laboratory is also developing improved genetic mouse models of DIPG and applying them as preclinical tools to help prioritize the translation of novel agents into clinical trials for DIPG. Moreover, his lab is interested in investigating mechanisms of resistance towards novel targeted agents.
Dr. Trent Hummel, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute
Division of Oncology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Dr. Hummel received his medical training at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio. He completed his clinical training in Pediatrics at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. This was followed by a Pediatric Hematology and Oncology fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio where he performed neurobiology research.
He now focuses his clinical research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on developing novel therapeutics to treat children with central nervous system tumors including those with very poor prognosis tumors such as high-grade gliomas and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas. Dr. Hummel is active in the DIPG online community and is a physician contributor to the DIPG yahoo.com support group as well as a moderator at DIPG.net.
Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute
Division of Oncology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Dr. Hummel received his medical training at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio. He completed his clinical training in Pediatrics at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. This was followed by a Pediatric Hematology and Oncology fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio where he performed neurobiology research.
He now focuses his clinical research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on developing novel therapeutics to treat children with central nervous system tumors including those with very poor prognosis tumors such as high-grade gliomas and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas. Dr. Hummel is active in the DIPG online community and is a physician contributor to the DIPG yahoo.com support group as well as a moderator at DIPG.net.
Dr. Annie A. Huang, MD, PhD
Principal Investigator
The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Centre
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dr. Huang received her PhD and MD degrees from the University of Toronto. Following residency training in Medical Genetics and Pediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, she completed fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital. Dr. Huang was appointed to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in July, 2002 as a Clinician Scientist.
Her lab is interested in mechanisms that underlie progression in primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), the most common group of pediatric malignant brain tumors. Due to the devastating consequences on the developing brain of the best current treatment, which includes radiation, there is much interest in uncovering molecular pathways that specify aggressive behavior in PNETs in order to ultimately develop more effective and less toxic treatments for such tumors. Current research focuses in part on the role of c-Myc, a potent oncoprotein, in specifying aggressive behavior in PNETs.
The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Centre
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dr. Huang received her PhD and MD degrees from the University of Toronto. Following residency training in Medical Genetics and Pediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, she completed fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital. Dr. Huang was appointed to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in July, 2002 as a Clinician Scientist.
Her lab is interested in mechanisms that underlie progression in primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), the most common group of pediatric malignant brain tumors. Due to the devastating consequences on the developing brain of the best current treatment, which includes radiation, there is much interest in uncovering molecular pathways that specify aggressive behavior in PNETs in order to ultimately develop more effective and less toxic treatments for such tumors. Current research focuses in part on the role of c-Myc, a potent oncoprotein, in specifying aggressive behavior in PNETs.
Dr. Anna Janss, MD, PhD
Neuro-Oncologist
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Associate Professor
Pediatric Neuro-Oncology
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
Dr. Janss received her PhD and MD degrees from the University of Iowa. She completed a residency in Neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Janss joined Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2003.
Her main clinical interests lie in pediatric neuro-oncology, the late effects of cancer therapy and paraneoplastic disorders. She has done extensive research on various aspects of pediatric neuro-oncology, including primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors and cancer treatment methods.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Associate Professor
Pediatric Neuro-Oncology
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
Dr. Janss received her PhD and MD degrees from the University of Iowa. She completed a residency in Neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Janss joined Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2003.
Her main clinical interests lie in pediatric neuro-oncology, the late effects of cancer therapy and paraneoplastic disorders. She has done extensive research on various aspects of pediatric neuro-oncology, including primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors and cancer treatment methods.
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