As a researcher in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, he has studied a method to improve neuroblastoma treatment for more than a decade. Until J.D.’s diagnosis, Sirsi’s experience with neuroblastoma was only in the lab and anecdotally through collaborating physicians. After two cycles, J.D.’s tumors had shrunk 75%. was going through treatment, Sirsi and Hernandez published a major paper about their research on neuroblastoma treatment using focused ultrasound. “High-risk neuroblastoma cure rates are getting better, but it is still a deadly disease,” Sirsi said.