Programs

Harvard Medical School

Alexandra J. Miliotis Pediatric Oncology Research Fund at Harvard Medical School

Loren Walensky, MD, PhD Principal Investigator and Attending Physician in the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center; Professor Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, was one of Alexandra’s outstanding doctors, and is recognized internationally in his field as a significant contributor in both research and clinical pediatric oncology practices.

Under Dr. Walensky’s leadership, and through his affiliation with Harvard Medical School, ATF created the Alexandra J. Miliotis Pediatric Oncology Research Fund at Harvard Medical School. “Alex’s Team” has now funded over 50 grants to Harvard Medical students – “Alex Miliotis Fellows” – in the field of pediatric oncology, including such topics as genetic expression and mutation, cancer treatment methods, and family support services.

This is a competitive Fellowship, designed to provide selected Harvard Medical School students with the opportunity to conduct research in pediatric oncology at Children’s Hospital Boston, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and affiliated hospitals and research laboratories. These students gain practical experience in hospital and research settings , under the mentorship of on-staff clinical/research physicians.

To date, more than 70% of the funded Fellows continue to pursue work in the pediatric oncology field. Many of the fellowship recipients maintain a relationship with “Alex’s Team,” expressing their sincere appreciation for the unique opportunities afforded to them by the Foundation, and “paying it forward” by introducing their incoming classmates to the opportunity to participate in this program.

2026-27 Fellows

Manu Onteeru
Mentor: Hesham Elhalawani, MD
Pediatric and AYA Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Manu Onteeru is an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School with a focus on improving health outcomes for pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. Prior to medical school, he was a Fulbright grantee to Taiwan and a Stamps Scholar.
 
This summer, Manu is working with Dr. Hesham Elhalawani, Director of Pediatric and AYA Radiation Oncology. His research uses the National Cancer Database, which includes data from more than 1,500 Commission on Cancer-accredited facilities, to study trends, disparities, and survival outcomes in radiation therapy for AYAs with cancer. AYAs are an understudied population with unique medical, emotional, and survivorship needs. Manu’s work aims to generate evidence that can help advance more equitable radiation oncology care for patients who may live many decades beyond their diagnosis.
 
Drew Snyder
Mentor: Danielle Cameron,  MD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Drew Snyder is a rising second-year medical student with a longstanding interest in pediatric oncology, surgical outcomes, and translational research. His prior research has focused on transamniotic stem cell and self-amplifying mRNA therapies at Boston Children’s Hospital. He also serves as a mentor in the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program, which introduces Boston high school students to careers in science and medicine.
 
This summer, Drew is working with Dr. Cameron at MGH to study diagnostic challenges in pediatric patients with adenocarcinoma who were initially misdiagnosed. His project examines patients’ first symptoms, the length and nature of diagnostic delays, cancer staging, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes. By better understanding the factors that contribute to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, Drew’s work aims to identify opportunities for earlier detection and improved care for children who present with nonspecific symptoms.