Author Profile

Helen Chen, PhD

Lead Researcher

Helen Chen, PhD

Helen Chen, PhD, is a lead researcher in the Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research.

Stories by Helen Chen

Fabio Demontis
Fabio Demontis
Research

Research points to a way to reduce cachexia, a cancer-induced muscle wasting disorder

Erin Podolak, MA

Muscle signaling provide clues for treatment of the muscle-wasting disorder cachexia, which affects cancer patients.

Ewelina Mamcarz with colleagues and patient
Ewelina Mamcarz with colleagues and patient
Clinical

Five years later: gene therapy for ‘bubble boy’ disease

Alex Generous, PhD

Interim results point to enduring immune function following gene therapy for Infants with ‘bubble boy’ disease

Amar Gajjar, MD., with patient Charlotte and her mother
Amar Gajjar, MD., with patient Charlotte and her mother
Clinical

Reflecting on nearly 40 years of progress against pediatric brain tumors

Erin Podolak, MA

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month and a good time to learn more about the diverse group of diseases that make up the most common childhood solid tumor.

The Unicorn Clinic
The Unicorn Clinic
Outreach

A doctor’s journey fueled life-saving work at SAFER Ukraine for children with cancer

Mary Powers

“SAFER Ukraine works because we have human connections with our partners,” explains Asya Agulnik, MD, MPH.

Marcin Wlodarski at Unicorn Clinic staff meeting
Marcin Wlodarski at Unicorn Clinic staff meeting
Outreach

Marcin Wlodarski, MD, PhD, dropped everything to help children fleeing Ukraine

Alex Generous, PhD

Marcin Wlodarski, MD, PhD, was new to international humanitarian work prior to volunteering with SAFER Ukraine. “I learned so much I cannot every describe it in words,” he said.

Globe with connections
Globe with connections
Outreach

Protecting the mental health of Ukrainian families experiencing childhood cancer

Alex Generous, PhD

Global health care providers gathered virtually for SAFER Conversations, a webinar created to share information and support to those working with Ukrainian children and families displaced by the war.

Marta Salek, M.D., at work at the Unicorn Marian Wilemski Clinic in Poland.
Marta Salek, M.D., at work at the Unicorn Marian Wilemski Clinic in Poland.
Outreach

Polish roots led Marta Salek, M.D., to a leading role in SAFER Ukraine effort

Erin Podolak, MA

Dr. Marta Salek of St. Jude was in Poland visiting family when Russia invaded Ukraine. She jumped in to help launch the humanitarian effort SAFER Ukraine.

Stephen Mack, MD, PhD
Stephen Mack, MD, PhD
Research

Metabolic processes may yield a new therapeutic window for hard-to-treat brain tumors

Erin Podolak, MA

In his laboratory at St. Jude, Stephen Mack, PhD, is researching how metabolic and epigenetic pathways might be perturbed to help treat DIPG, a lethal childhood brain tumor.

Sima Jeha, MD, and colleagues meet around a table
Sima Jeha, MD, and colleagues meet around a table
Outreach

Lessons from Lebanon: St. Jude Global reacts to war in Ukraine

Erin Podolak, MA

Lessons learned from previous global crises inform the St. Jude Global response to childhood cancer patients displaced by the war in Ukraine.

Bright Future campaign logo
Bright Future campaign logo
Outreach

We Envision a Bright Future for Children

Heather Brandt, PhD and Brooke Morgan

St. Jude is strengthening its HPV cancer prevention measures – and calling on partners to join the Path to a Bright Future campaign.