Program Faculty and Staff

Jason T. Yustein, MD, PhD is Professor and Director of the Solid Tumor Translational Research Program in the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. He is a member of the Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program at the Winship Cancer Institute and member of the Cancer Biology and Genetics and Molecular Biology Programs in the Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Emory University.

Dr. Yustein earned his MD and his PhD in molecular biology and microbiology from Case Western Reserve University. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University and his clinical fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute of Health. Prior to arriving at Emory in 2022, Dr. Yustein was a faculty member at Texas Children’s Cancer Center and the Baylor College of Medicine. He was an active member of the Cancer and Cell Biology Curriculum Committee and the BCM MSTP Admissions Committee. He was also an Associate Director for Education and Career Enhancement for the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. During his career Dr. Yustein has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral and clinical fellows, and junior faculty members.

Dr. Yustein's laboratory integrates innovative novel murine models and patient-derived resources towards garnering molecular insights into sarcoma initiation and development along with mechanisms of therapeutic resistance and metastatic progression and translating these findings towards testing novel therapeutic interventions for these aggressive malignancies. His research has led to the development of clinical trials for the treatment of high-risk sarcomas. Besides being supported by numerous foundation grants, his research is actively being supported by the NIH/NCI. He has published over 80 original manuscripts, review articles and book chapters.

Holly Bauser-Heaton MD, PhD is a congenital interventional cardiologist and basic scientist with a focus on pulmonary vascular disease prevention, treatment and management. As director of the Complex Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction team, she also runs a basic science laboratory, housed in biomedical engineering with expertise in 3D bioprinting. With the use of iPSCs, she and her team have been able to create patient specific modeling of pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein disease to develop treatment strategies that are tailored to the particular patient, including those with genetic causes. She also serves as the Associate Director for the Heart Center research and outcomes core. She enjoys her free time being with her 4 children and a gym enthusiast enjoying running and weight lifting.

Joanna Bonsall, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine. She completed her undergraduate training at Emory University, and her medical training and graduate training at Emory University School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Emory University and was hired as a hospitalist at Emory University Hospital Midtown in 2009, before transferring to Grady Memorial Hospital in 2017 where she is now Chief of Hospital Medicine. 

Dr. Bonsall has a strong interest in medical education at all levels, from medical students to faculty, and has served on multiple committees and task forces for undergraduate and graduate education. She began her post-graduate involvement with the MD/PhD program in 2010 when she created a Clinical Refresher course, designed for MD/PhD students re-entering their clinical years. Since then, she has continued to expand her role in mentoring and supporting MD/PhD students, with a focus on with their clinical training. She completed a Masters in Health Professions Education at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2022 and has developed a particular interest in the integration of research and clinical training.

Dr. Quiñones focuses on program administration and student development. She has directed research-intensive programs for undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students, with an emphasis on developing content that furthers professional skill development. She works with all the co-directors to track student progress and along with our office staff, oversees admissions, program activities and student support.

Ms. Smith has almost 20 years of experience working in higher education, providing program management and learner support at various levels. She coordinates all program scheduling and planning needed for recruitment, student activities and our annual retreat and works with Dr. Quiñones on various administrative tasks. She works closely with student leadership and manages our operating budget.

Enzo Cianelli is an economist and Emory University Alumni who now uses his knowledge and expertise to assist and collaborate predominately with the MD/PhD program’s Director and Senior Program Coordinator in all financial aspects of the program. Some of his work includes overseeing the monthly payroll of our students, budget and posting of Financial Aid, and administration of various grants and awards such as our program’s MSTP T32, F30/31s, etc. When he’s not at the School of Medicine, he still serves the Emory community as one of Emory’s Men’s Ultimate Frisbee coaches with his 13+ years of experience in the sport.