MAGEC Fellows

  • Anna Junkins

    Anna Junkins, PhD, is a first-year postdoctoral research fellow trainee in the MAGEC program working with mentors Dr. Staci Sudenga and Dr. Melinda Aldrich. Anna received her Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Master’s of Science in Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she also received a graduate certificate in Applications of Mixed Methods Research. Her main research interest is in understanding how to reduce the burden of HPV-associated cancer among people with HIV. Anna’s current research projects include investigations of molecular biomarkers, like the microbiome and immune markers, and anal pre-cancer among people with HIV and social determinants of health associated with cancer risk among people living in the Southeastern U.S.

     

     

    Mentors:

    Dr. Staci Sudenga 

    Dr. Melinda Aldrich 

     

  • Douglas DeMoulin

    Douglas DeMoulin, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Vanderbilt Department of Medicine's Division of Epidemiology, Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology of Cancer program. He received his PhD in Environmental Health (Occupational Injury Prevention foci) and minored in Epidemiology at University of Minnesota, with a BS/MS in Occupational Safety and Health with an Environmental Concentration at Murray State University. Dr. DeMoulin's research interests are understanding the health and well-being of firefighters, coping strategies, improved accountability during search and rescue operations using RFID technology, and improved systems of emergency preparedness and response in the workplace. His doctoral work focused on developing a moral injury scale for firefighters and assessing the burden, risk, and protective factors of moral injury in Minnesota firefighters.
     
     
     
    Mentors:
     

    Dr. Xiao-Ou Shu

    Dr. Loren Lipworth 

  • Michael Robinson

    Michael Robinson, MD, MSCI, is a research fellow in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and completed clinical fellowship training in 2024. His long-term career goal is to be an independent physician-scientist with a research focus on cancer care delivery and health outcomes during and following therapy among pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. Such research would center upon an understanding of short and long-term health outcomes, the development of therapeutic strategies to best balance efficacy with toxicity, as well as interventions to ameliorate adverse health and psychosocial outcomes to improve overall survival and the quality of survivorship for patients and families.

     

     

    Mentors:

    Dr. Debra Friedman 

    Dr. Xiao-Ou Shu

  • Sobia Siddiqui

    Sobia Siddiqui, MBBS, is a second-year postdoctoral research fellow trainee in the MAGEC program. Her mentors are Dr. Martha Shrubsole and Dr. Xingyi Guo. Sobia holds an MBBS degree from the Aga Khan University. Her research focuses on identifying risk factors for cancer incidence and survival, particularly in diverse and underserved populations, aiming to bridge healthcare disparities for more equitable outcomes. In her free time, Sobia enjoys painting, playing board games with friends, and strength training.

     

    Mentors:

    Dr. Martha Shrubsole

    Dr. Xingyi Guo

  • Thuraya Al-Sayegh

    Thuraya (Raya) Al-Sayegh, MD, completed her medical school training at the University of Jordan, where her research interests centered on clinical research, particularly systematic reviews and meta-analyses. At Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), her focus shifted to cancer epidemiology. She is investigating both urinary and blood metabolomics of various cancers, including lung and kidney cancer, by analyzing data from prominent cohorts such as the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), the Shanghai Women's Health Study (SWHS), the Shanghai Men's Health Study (SMHS) and the UK Biobank. Additionally, she is examining germline mutations in sarcoma patients within the CAUSAL cohort (Cohort to Augment the Understanding of Sarcoma Survivorship Across the Lifespan).

    Raya has a profound interest in cancer epidemiology, internal medicine, oncology, and evidence-based medicine. Her goal is to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives, establish herself as a leading physician-scientist in oncology and connect with patients on a human level.

    Passionate about science and literature, she enjoys reading fantasy and historical fiction novels, cooking, and hiking in her leisure time.

     

    Mentors:

    Dr. Qiuyin Cai

    Dr. Wei Zheng