Dream Home Giveaway: Meet one St. Jude researcher working to end childhood cancer

MEMPHIS (KBTX) – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is at the forefront of developing treatments thanks to the tireless work of researchers on campus.

Nikitha Nimmagadda is a Senior Researcher at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She does genome editing for sickle cell disease.

“Gene editing just helps do precise editing with the stem cells from the patient so it’s more of a precision medicine for the patient,” Nimmagadda said.

The treatments she works on are aimed at replacing the blood system in a patient, periodically, to help them fight sickle cell disease.

Recently, she volunteered at Family Commons on campus at St. Jude and interacted with the kids there going through treatment.

“When I introduced myself and told them that I’m working on gene editing, especially for sickle cell disease, they were so excited because it gives them hope that there is a treatment that someone is working on — that can help them have a better life and have a longer life.”

Nimmagadda came to St. Jude after completing her masters in India. She says she was drawn to the hospital because of the mission set forth by Danny Thomas more than 60 years ago.

“I think St. Jude is a passion to me. It’s about every single person I see around me is so passionate and I don’t see that in many workplaces. I think St. Jude is a place where anyone can come, feel comfortable, do the work, and feel recognized,” Nimmagadda said.

Her work and the subsequent treatments she and other researchers develop at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital cannot be done without the generosity of donors.

“St. Jude is a place where your money will not go to waste. Your money, every single penny that you contribute toward St. Jude, is actively taken towards the patients and the research that helps the patients become better and have a better life,” Nimmagadda said.

You can be one of those donors and be eligible to win a brand-new house in the process.

Reserve your $100 dream home giveaway ticket right now here

All of the money from the Dream Home Giveaway in Bryan/College Station goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Watch KBTX on June 6 as we give away the home and other prizes live on air.