Andrae Vandross '02
Five Questions with Andrae Vandross '02
From labs on the Hill to the frontlines of medicine
For Andrae Vandross ’02, the Hill was a familiar place long before he set foot on campus as a student himself. Growing up in Brockton, he watched his mother dedicate years of her career to Stonehill, starting as an administrator in the Bursar’s Office and later serving as office manager in the Counseling Center. Through her experience, he gained a front-row seat to the community and energy that made the College feel like home—and a natural choice when it came time to plan his own future.
Vandross found unexpected passions that defined his student experience, from the thrill of performing with one of the College's first a cappella groups to exploring every nook and cranny of the chemistry labs—a curiosity that bloomed out of his early love for biology. He ultimately pursued biochemistry, a then-new area of study that allowed him to follow his interests with meaningful intent and versatility.
After graduating, Vandross hit the ground running, first as a research technician for Yale University School of Medicine and then pursuing his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Today, he applies that same drive and commitment as a medical oncologist at NEXT Oncology Austin in Texas, bringing both expertise and compassion to the care of his patients.
In five questions, Vandross shares insights on how his time on the Hill shaped his career, the challenges and rewards of clinical research and the advice he would give to students pursuing medicine or scientific discovery.
How did your studies in biochemistry, and any experiences at Stonehill, shape your path toward a career in clinical research and oncology?
When I was a student, I participated in the Stonehill Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program with Professor Louis Liotta [founder of the SURE program and professor emeritus of chemistry] as my mentor in organic chemistry. This experience gave me a great introduction to research that evolved into an appetite for research, which later became a substantial part of my career.
You don’t have to know everything that you would like to do in the future down to every last detail. Just get yourself pointed in a direction, get started and don’t be afraid to adjust course—it’ll be fun.
With 6 years specializing in early drug development and Phase I clinical trials, what experiences best prepared you to handle the complexity and rigor of clinical research?
I have had great mentorship when learning Phase 1 clinical trial work. As a medical oncologist, I came to the table with the clinical skills and experience to take care of patients—to manage the side effects of their treatments and the symptoms of their disease. I then had to learn skills such as patient identification and recruitment for studies, as well as providing clinical and operational feedback to pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors regarding their investigational treatments.
What challenges in your field have most shaped your approach to clinical research, particularly in how you persist through obstacles, stay curious and apply creative problem-solving?
Regulatory/patient eligibility and education (or lack thereof) about clinical trials are two challenges I think about often. Investigators such as myself can help address the first issue by giving detailed accounts about the challenges of narrow/rigid eligibility requirements for patients looking for the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.
To address the education issue, I have developed my patient consultation as more than discussing informed consent, making a sincere effort to educate my patients about how Phase 1 clinical trials work. Whether they say yes or no to participation, it is important that they have all of the information they need to make a decision that is comfortable for them.
How do you like to spend your time away from work, and what helps you maintain balance outside your professional responsibilities?
I really enjoy fishing—Decker Lake in Austin, TX is my favorite local spot. I also love traveling to other countries. Morocco was one of my most memorable trips. It was my first time in Africa, so it was amazing to experience the art, architecture and food. I've also been to Japan, Spain, England, Germany and Greece.
I’m also a big fan of dining out at new restaurants, weightlifting, boxing and listening to live music, mostly jazz.
Vandross on a streetcar tour of Japan.
Vandross on a fishing trip to Lake Tahoe.
Based on your journey from Stonehill to leading clinical studies, what guidance would you offer students aspiring to careers in medicine or scientific research?
You don’t have to know everything that you would like to do in the future down to every last detail. Just get yourself pointed in a direction, get started and don’t be afraid to adjust course—it’ll be fun.