Q&A with Austin Stuckert, MD, MS, assistant professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant
Hometown: Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Educational/professional background: I attended Wellesley College for my undergraduate degree in biological sciences, graduating in 2010. I then entered medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and graduated in 2014. From there, I completed my internship in a combined internal medicine and pediatrics program at the University of Texas before transferring to Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital for my pediatrics residency, which I completed in 2017. I went on to complete my fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in 2021 and then spent my early faculty years on a K12 Faculty Fellowship in Pediatric Oncology Clinical Research Training from 2021 to 2024. During this time, I also completed a Master of Clinical Science degree in 2023.
Previous position (title, institution): Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital
What is your field of research or area of clinical care, and how did you get into it? My particular interests are in pediatric neuro-oncology, immunotherapeutic approaches, and early-phase clinical trial design, with the goal of identifying promising pre-clinical therapies and adapting them into practice to improve outcomes for our patients with difficult-to-treat brain and spinal cord tumors. My experience on the K12 research training award at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital laid the foundation for this translational work.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? I take care of children with brain cancer and work to develop new ways to make them better.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? I was drawn to the people and culture of the division as well as the opportunities to collaborate on exciting new therapies for pediatric neuro-oncology patients.
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? I love spending time outside with our two young daughters, particularly on the surrounding lakes.
What’s one thing you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? I hope learners will develop curiosity that will spark a passion to make a difference in their chosen field.
Do you feel your work relates to the Wisconsin Idea? If so, please describe how. A critical component of my job is to educate patients and families about the risks and benefits of various cancer therapies. Whenever appropriate, we offer access to clinical trials that may improve outcomes for our patients through novel therapies as well as improve knowledge for the future. Everything we do is a shared decision, and it all hinges on understanding and trust.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter during video chats and parties? The adult brain has approximately as many neurons as there are stars in the galaxy.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? These days, I most enjoy spending time with my husband and our 2- and 4-year-old daughters. I enjoy swimming, skiing (downhill and cross-country), reading, and cooking. During my time in Madison, I hope to learn to sail!