05/07/2026
Words can’t begin to describe how proud I am of Jack Shireman and all that he has accomplished and more importantly, all that he is going to contribute to the world of Neuro-oncology.
Jack is my first graduate student. When he first reached out to pursue a PhD in my lab, I honestly wasn’t even sure I was ready for the commitment of training a graduate student. But his passion, curiosity, and enthusiasm for Neuro-oncology were impossible to ignore, and from that moment on, I never looked back.
Over the years, we went through many highs and lows together, both professionally and personally and I can say without hesitation that I am a better person because of that journey. Mentoring Jack taught me so much about myself: patience, when to push, when to listen, and when simply being a friend matters most.
Watching him graduate feels a little like watching your first child step into the world. My heart is incredibly full.
Jack has grown into an exceptional scientist with a remarkable foundation in Neuro-oncology, Neurosurgery, Immunology, and Computational science. But beyond his accomplishments, he is someone whose compassion, resilience, and drive will leave a lasting impact on patients, science, and everyone lucky enough to work with him.
Congratulations, Dr. Jack Shireman. The future of Neuro-oncology is brighter because of you.
Jack Shireman has long been driven to better understand brain tumors and how they can be treated more effectively. That interest shaped his undergraduate studies in neurobiology at UW–Madison, his years in research labs at Northwestern and ultimately his decision to return to UW to pursue a doctorate in neuroscience.
When Jack talks about the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, he points to how closely science, medicine and community are linked. “When I think about the mission of UW, I think about how UW has taught me not only about the basic science behind health but also how the health of a whole person and community is intertwined,” he said.
That connection became personal long before graduate school. As a teenager, Jack received treatment for a brain tumor from pediatric oncology faculty who cared for him at American Family Children’s Hospital. Experiencing care at UW where he now trains helped shape his commitment to brain tumor research and his goal of becoming a physician‑scientist.
In his research at UW, Jack studied brain tumor immunotherapy, using translational models and patient data to analyze treatment resistance and improve future therapies. He points to the UW environment, where clinicians and researchers collaborate closely from the lab to the patient bedside. That experience was reinforced by his own mentor, Dr. Mahua Dey, who treats patients with brain tumors while leading a lab focused on those same diseases. Beyond the lab, Jack is active in sharing science with broader audiences—from presenting research at the Wisconsin State Capitol to tutoring UW students and participating in community outreach that makes complex research more accessible.
This fall, Jack will start medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin, continuing his training as a physician-scientist. For him, advancing brain tumor research is not just about discovery, but about contributing to healthier people and healthier communities.
We congratulate all graduate students who successfully completed their studies across the school’s 13 graduate programs and seven affiliated graduate programs.
