Inspiring minds: A. Kyle Jones, PhD, named outstanding educator

Jones at podium addressing graduates at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 2025 commencement. — Jones addressing graduates at MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 2025 commencement.

Jones pictured with McConnell, and colleagues Raquel Salinas, PhD, Molly Bray, PhD, Shane Cunha, PhD, and Qingchun Tong, PhD. — Jones (center) with (l to r) McConnell, and colleagues Raquel Salinas, PhD, Molly Bray, PhD, Shane Cunha, PhD, and Qingchun Tong, PhD.

MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students chose A. Kyle Jones, PhD, as the winner of the 2025 John P. McGovern Award for Outstanding Teaching. Jones is a professor and deputy program director in the Department of Imaging Physics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and professor of the Medical Physics program at the Graduate School.

Student-driven recognition

Students who nominated Jones for the award said his dedication to their learning has made a lasting impact on the Medical Physics program and the Graduate School community.

Neuroscience PhD candidate and Graduate Student Association (GSA) president Alexandra McConnell presented Jones with the award at May’s commencement ceremony.

“The overwhelming support Dr. Jones received from the students in the Medical Physics program speaks volumes about the impact he has had,” said McConnell. “He is the kind of educator who brings both clarity and compassion to even the most complex but deeply important topics while making students feel seen and supported.”

Inspired by McGovern’s philosophy

Jones spoke about how John P. McGovern’s teachings resonated with him, especially McGovern’s foremost philosophy to remember when teaching: you are always the student.

Jones credits his students with shaping his own growth as an educator — “I have learned as much from my students as they have learned from me.”

A legacy of excellence

With a distinguished career in imaging physics and over 70 peer-reviewed articles, Jones brings research and real-world insight into his teaching. Jones earned his PhD in Medical Physics from the University of Florida and has supported clinical imaging operations, focusing on radiography, fluoroscopy, interventional radiology, and interventional cardiology. He was recognized with the prestigious Farrington Daniels Award from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, and has served as president of the association’s Southwest Chapter. Jones’ current research focuses on improving image-guided procedures through personalized approaches for patients with colorectal and liver cancer.

A mentor and a motivator

In the classroom and beyond, Jones urges students to challenge convention and think independently. He regularly lectures internationally, contributes to professional conferences, and has mentored countless clinical residents and fellows. His primary advice for students? “As they go forward, I ask them to challenge dogma and tradition.”

Celebrating the McGovern award

Since 1983, the McGovern Teaching Award has recognized a faculty member who students feel consistently demonstrates excellence in service and leadership at the Graduate School. Every year, students nominate and vote for exceptional faculty members based on the award criteria: knowledge of the subject, interest in/enthusiasm for teaching, interest in and understanding of students, responsiveness to student questions and encouragement of independent thinking, and accessibility to students.

The graduate School community invites everyone to join us in celebrating Jones’ contributions to our students’ learning!