Dr. Sibo Zhao takes us on an exploration of new, novel, treatments and research in pediatric neuro-oncology. She also brings into focus the added complexities in brain tumors in children and how those complexities both challenge and benefit what physicians are learning in order to improve treatment. Meet Dr. Zhao Related information Neuro-Oncology Oncology Fertility Preservation Life After Cancer Hematology and Oncology Clinical Research Transcript 00:00:03 Host Hello and welcome to Cook Children's Doc Talk. Treating brain and spinal tumors can be extremely challenging, especially in children. But there have been many breakthroughs in pediatric neuro oncology with more new advancements on the horizon. Today we're talking with Dr. Sibo Zhao, about what's happening in this field. Dr. Zhao is medical director of Cook Children's pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program. She is actively involved in research here at Cook Children's and has written extensively on this subject. Not only is she dedicated to advancing treatment, she is also passionate about how care is delivered to patients and their families as they go through treatment. Dr. Zhao, welcome. We appreciate your taking the time to talk with us. 00:00:46 Dr. Zhao Thank you for having me today. 00:00:48 Host So first off, can you give a little history on yourself? What drew you to the practice of pediatric neuro-oncology? 00:00:57 Dr. Zhao Well Jan, I think throughout my medical trainings, I feel like I've always been drawn to help the vulnerable patient population. You know, that's kind of how I chose pediatrics in the first place, because I felt like the kids, you know, they can't advocate for themselves, they needed more help. And then during residency, oncology would be something that would feel rewarding, because again, those are the kids that need more, and I was drawn to that. So I went to the hemonc and I kinda was wide open thinking like, okay, I want to do oncology, and really sure what kind of tumors are necessarily even needed to pick one. But during fellowship, and during just kind of my early career, I think the brain tumor patients just always kind of tapped on my heart a little bit. And I wanted to do a little bit more for them. And also, the other main thing is that pediatric neuro oncology has not really advanced as fast or as quickly as some of the other types of pediatric malignancies such as you know, leukemia patient outcomes, I felt like there was a need. And this may be something that if I went into that field, I could change that. 00:02:10 Host So why did you choose the program at Cook Children's? And how does your research background fit in with your role here? 00:02:16 Dr. Zhao So I spent several years at Texas Children's Hospital first as a trainee and then became a faculty, I honestly didn't really think I would like any other places or want to go away, but I knew deep down that I was just more than prepared, you know, I was very well trained. And I could go on and take on a different type of role or different programs. So I just thought, Okay, I will look around and see so I went and interviewed at several larger children's hospitals and their programs all felt, you know, pretty similar to Texas Children's and, and then this opportunity came up here at Cook Children's, and I came and was pretty much immediately just blown away. I think the culture here was very refreshing to me. And the philosophy here, I've just really kind of fits with what I wanted. And my beliefs. And I'm very glad I joined, I think is probably one of the best decisions I made. As far as research, I think, I realized that the hemonc program here at Cook Children's had a very heavy focus on clinical research, which is what I want to do. So in that regard, transitioning here from TCH to Cook Children's, and being able to continue to do clinical research just makes sense.
