Endowed Chair: Focused Ultrasound Program led by Sibo Zhao, M.D.
Cook Children's has awarded Sibo Zhao, M.D., an Endowed Chair to start a focused ultrasound program and develop novel therapies for the treatment of tumors and other potential future uses. Focused ultrasound involves concentrating sound waves or ultrasonic energy to a targeted area in the body. This non-invasive, incisionless treatment has multiple uses including; thermal ablation (heating tissue to treat tumors), opening the blood-brain barrier (to make drugs more effective in the brain) and neuromodulation (stimulating or blocking neural activity without damaging tissue). Although the overall survival rates for pediatric cancer have improved over the last several decades, there are still many patients with certain types of brain cancer diagnoses that have poor outcomes and limited treatment options. Cook Children's will be the first pediatric medical center in Texas to offer low intensity focused ultrasound therapy. Our patients and their families often must make the difficult decision of traveling to other states to participate in clinical trials, but the focused ultrasound program at Cook Children's will give patients and families the opportunity to stay local. Our innovative program will establish Cook Children's at the forefront of Neuro-oncology care across the nation.
Meet Dr. Zhao
Dr. Zhao is dedicated to helping families of children with brain and spinal tumors, find innovative treatment options that will improve their quality of life - so they can focus on having the best childhood possible.
- S Zhao and CE Van Skike. Pioneering Pediatric Care: Updates on the Endowed Chair Program with Focused Ultrasound. Cook Children's Research Symposium, 2025.
- CE Van Skike, F Mansoori, JD Marshall, S Zhao. Building a Premier DIPG Treatment Center: Bridging Local Insights with International Cosmos Data. Cook Children's Research Symposium.
Meet our researchers
Candice Van Skike, Ph.D., Research Scientist
I received my Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Baylor University. My graduate research investigated the neurobiological correlates of alcohol use and its impact on memory and motor function throughout different life stages, including adolescence, adulthood, and aging. My research during my NIH T32-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Barshop Institute of Longevity and Aging Studies focused on the brain's vascular system and its role in age-related cognitive decline during healthy aging and in Alzheimer's disease. I identified a specific pathway, mTOR, which could be targeted to treat age-related cognitive impairment by restoring several different aspects of brain vascular function. After this, I transitioned to clinical research, specializing in data analysis for a medical device company in San Antonio that provides innovative solutions for non-compressible hemorrhage.
At Cook Children's, I am a Research Scientist who is partnered with the medical director of neuro-oncology, Dr. Sibo Zhao. Together, our goal is to bring low-intensity focused ultrasound, a cutting-edge non-invasive treatment option, to neuro-oncology patients at Cook Children's. In current neuro-oncology clinical trials, acoustic energy is delivered to a specific location in the brain without damaging the surrounding brain tissue, which can be used to enhance the delivery of therapeutics through targeted drug activation and/or blood-brain barrier opening. Low-intensity focused ultrasound in pediatric neuro-oncology is currently limited to clinical trials and is not an FDA-approved treatment. Please reach out to learn more about the current and upcoming clinical trials with low-intensity focused ultrasound at Cook Children's.
Rachel Collins, MSN, RN, CPN, CCRC, Research Nurse Specialist
With nearly 15 years of experience in pediatric nursing at Cook Children's and both a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing, I've dedicated my career to supporting children and their families through complex medical journeys. Since 2021, I've worked as a clinical research nurse, partnering with patients and providers to support clinical trials that can make a real difference in children's lives. As a research nurse specialist, I work closely with Dr. Zhao & Candice Van Skike, Ph.D., to coordinate focused ultrasound clinical trials at our site.
I walk beside children and their families throughout the clinical trial journey—listening, educating, and ensuring that they feel supported, informed and never alone in the process. While much of my role involves working directly with patients and their families, there's also a lot that happens behind the scenes. I coordinate with providers and study sponsors, track important data, and ensure every step of the research follows strict ethical and regulatory guidelines. I help manage the details so that families can focus on what matters most—caring for their child.
If you're exploring clinical trials or simply have questions about our focused ultrasound program, I would love to connect with you.
Support this research
Be part of the innovative and life-changing work we're doing at Cook Children's. Support the Endowed Chair Program today.