Conversation with Former Fellow, Kelly Bolton, M.D., Ph.D.

Years at DCEG: 2007-2011
DCEG title: Predoctoral Fellow
Current organization: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Current title: Instructor, Leukemia

Who was your mentor at DCEG? What did you work on?
My mentors were Montserrat Garcia-Closas, M.D., Dr.P.H. and Stephen J. Chanock, M.D. I worked on how germline genetics influences ovarian cancer survival. I also worked a lot with Mitchell Gail, M.D., Mark Sherman, M.D. (former investigator, DCEG), and Ruth Pfeiffer, Ph.D.

What is your current position?
I am an instructor in the Leukemia Department at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I do research characterizing the early genetic events leading to malignancy and the environmental exposures that promote carcinogenesis.

How do you apply the skills you developed at DCEG in your current job?
I learned how to lead a multi-center project and developed a solid background in data management, statistics, and genetic epidemiology. I also learned about how to work in an interdisciplinary team and foster collaborative science.

Do you have any memories from your fellowship that you would like to share?
On my first day at DCEG, I didn’t have a computer and Montse gave me one of her own computers to use. She spent an hour of her own time setting it up for me, making sure I had a good monitor, etc. It made me feel so valued. Here was an incredible scientist, spending her time setting up my monitor!

Stephen planned my wedding, literally. After I got engaged to my husband, who I met at NIH in the Cloisters, I told Stephen I was thinking of trying to get married at the Cloisters. He made a grimace. He emailed me and my fiancée some suggestions, including a venue in Italy where we eventually were married. Thanks, Stephen, for saving my wedding!

What do you do in your free time?
I entertain my 2 year-old and 3.5 year-old sons.

Do you have any advice for current or future DCEG fellows?
Work hard. Be brave. Foster personal relationships with the people you work with and be respectful to them.