Dr. Leigh Greathouse
Cancer Survivor. Cancer Biologist. Cancer Community Crusader.
Dr. Leigh Greathouse is a tenured professor at Baylor University, a nationally recognized cancer biologist, and a 20+ year survivor of Stage IV cancer. Her personal journey through a life-threatening diagnosis ignited a lifelong mission: to find better ways to prevent cancer and improve treatment through cutting-edge science, compassionate care, and public health advocacy.
Today, Leigh leads research at the forefront of cancer biology, studying how diet and the gut microbiome can transform outcomes for patients. Her work has been featured in high-impact journals and funded by leading health agencies, but her greatest passion is mentoring the next generation of scientists and changemakers.
A proud military spouse, woman of faith, and firm believer in the power of resilience, Leigh brings heart, humor, and a fierce sense of purpose to everything she does. Whether she’s teaching, conducting research, or advocating for vulnerable patients, her goal is simple: to give others the second chance she was blessed to receive.
Leigh is honored to dance in support of the Family Abuse Center, where hope and healing begin for survivors. “I’m here because others once fought for me,” she says. “Now it’s my turn to fight for others—one step at a time, even if those steps are on a dance floor.”
When not in the lab or the classroom, Leigh is usually up before dawn, dreaming big, and planning her next business idea or bucket-list adventure.
Patricio Rodriguez is a Waco native who began dancing at the age of eight. He has performed at Disney World, on cruise ships, and danced with a national collegiate dance team at the University of Stephen F. Austin. Through his years of experience, his skills have helped him to develop confidence in himself to give others the fundamentals of learning, performing, and excelling in dance. His passion for dance is displayed through his classes. When you leave you will walk out wanting to come back.
