Kalei Hering | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Kalei Hering | Medicine and Dentistry | Best Researcher Award

Harvard Medical School | United States

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Kalei Hering’s academic journey began at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in Life Sciences with honors, following a pre-medical and nuclear engineering track. As a Barry Goldwater Scholar and Rhodes Scholar Finalist, her undergraduate years were marked by distinction and ambition. She then advanced to Harvard Medical School, where she pursued her M.D. with exceptional performance, scoring a 265 on the USMLE Step 2 CK and actively engaging in research and leadership.

🩺 Professional Endeavors

Currently a Resident Physician in Diagnostic Radiology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (expected 2030), Dr. Hering is integrating rigorous clinical training with a robust military medical background. She has held numerous leadership positions—from Platoon Leader to President of Harvard’s Interventional Radiology Interest Group—reflecting a rare blend of military discipline and medical acumen. Her clinical and surgical experiences at institutions like Walter Reed, MGH, and BIDMC have laid a strong foundation for a future in academic and interventional radiology.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Hering’s research spans vascular and interventional radiology, pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, trauma imaging, and military health, with over 20 peer-reviewed publications. She has contributed to top-tier journals including CHEST, Spine Journal, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, and Military Medicine. As an editor for the MGH “White Book”, she has also shaped essential medical manuals for house staff. Her passion for research was recognized early through internships and fellowships, including work on Lyme disease and steroid hormone physiology.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

A decorated scholar and athlete, Dr. Hering has earned numerous honors including:
🏆 1897 Fellowship Awardee (Top national Phi Kappa Phi applicant)
🥇 Trainee Case Competition Winner, New England Society of Interventional Radiology
🏃‍♀️ Champion in multiple marathons and ultramarathons including the Candlelight 12-Hour and Spartan Race
🎖️ Excellence in Life Science Award, Brigadier General Ramsden Award, and LTC Boyd Harris Leadership Award at West Point
📚 Recognized by the West Point Superintendent for academic, military, and physical excellence

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Hering is a changemaker in both academic medicine and military health systems. Her efforts to increase access and mentorship—such as developing shadowing programs, founding wellness initiatives, and mentoring underrepresented pre-med students—demonstrate her commitment to building inclusive, high-impact medical communities. Her involvement in the Society of Interventional Radiology, Excelsior Surgical Society, and Empower Conference reflects a strategic vision for the future of healthcare delivery, particularly in military and interventional contexts.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

With a rare combination of military leadership, scientific rigor, and clinical excellence, Dr. Kalei Hering is poised to leave a lasting mark on the fields of interventional radiology, medical education, and military medicine. Her pursuit of innovative techniques, policy development, and mentorship ensures that her influence will be deeply felt across clinical, academic, and operational environments for years to come. As she advances through her residency and beyond, Dr. Hering stands as a beacon of resilience, intellect, and service in modern medicine.

Publications

📄 Post-Treatment Monitoring of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations: Challenges and Approaches

  • Authors: Kalei Hering, Patrick Sutphin, Sanjeeva Kalva

  • Journal: CHEST

  • Year: 2025

📄 Embolization of a Bleeding Duodenal Arteriovenous Malformation with a Conformable Embolic Material (Obsidio): Case Report

  • Authors: Kalei Hering, Patrick Sutphin, Sanjeeva Kalva

  • Journal: Journal of Clinical Interventional Radiology ISVIR

  • Year: 2025

📄 Long-Term Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes After Management of Spinal Epidural Abscess

  • Authors:  Kalei Hering, Grace X. Xiong, Andrew Nguyen, Andrew J. Schoenfeld

  • Journal:  The Spine Journal

  • Year: 2024

📄 Health-Care Utilization and Expenditures Associated with Long-Term Treatment After Combat and Non-Combat-Related Orthopaedic Trauma

  • Authors: Kalei Hering, Miles W.A. Fisher, Michael K. Dalton, Andrew K. Simpson, Jamie Ye, Nishant Suneja, Zara Cooper, Tracey P. Koehlmoos, Andrew J. Schoenfeld

  • Journal: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

  • Year: 2022

 

Alessandra Perez | Medical Physics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Alessandra Perez | Medical Physics | Best Researcher Award

Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati - INFN | Brazil

Author Profile

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Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Alessandra Perez began her academic career at the University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Physics in 2012. Her interest in the application of physics to medical technology led her to pursue a Master’s degree from 2012 to 2015, during which she conducted an experimental study on optimizing CR and DR digital mammography systems. Building on her previous studies, Dr. Perez completed her PhD in Physics Applied to Medicine and Biology in 2023, focusing her dissertation on the characterization of digital mammography systems. This comprehensive academic background laid a strong foundation for her future contributions to the field of medical physics.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Perez’s professional endeavors reflect a combination of rigorous academic research and practical teaching experience. From 2022 to 2024, she served as a virtual learning facilitator at the Virtual University of Sao Paulo, teaching courses such as Basic Mathematics, General Physics, and Calculus I. In addition to her virtual teaching roles, she was involved in the Teaching Improvement Program at the University of Sao Paulo, where she contributed to the disciplines of Radiodiagnostics and Dosimetry. These roles not only demonstrate her expertise in medical physics but also her commitment to educating the next generation of scientists.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Perez has made significant contributions to medical physics, particularly in the optimization and characterization of digital mammography systems. Her research projects have been funded by prestigious organizations such as CAPES (Brazil) and ICTP (Italy). From 2017 to 2023, she conducted a detailed technical characterization of six clinical digital mammography systems, focusing on parameters like spatial resolution, noise power spectrum, and detective quantum efficiency. More recently, her research has expanded to high-resolution X-ray imaging and tomography, where she investigates phase contrast imaging techniques to enhance the sensitivity of X-rays in detecting weakly absorbing objects. This research, conducted at the XLab-Frascati, utilizes advanced equipment like a microfocus source and a CCD detector to push the boundaries of medical imaging technology.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Perez’s research has garnered significant recognition in the scientific community. She has published numerous papers in esteemed journals such as Radiation Physics and Chemistry and Radiation Measurements. Her notable publications include studies on the performance evaluation of digital mammography systems, the quantitative assessment of mammography digital detectors, and the characterization of digital systems used in medical X-ray imaging. These publications highlight her expertise and the impact of her research on improving diagnostic imaging technologies.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Perez’s work has had a profound impact on the field of medical physics, particularly in the realm of digital mammography. Her research on optimizing imaging systems has contributed to improved diagnostic accuracy, which is crucial for early detection of diseases like breast cancer. Additionally, her efforts in teaching and mentoring have helped cultivate a new generation of medical physicists who are well-equipped to further advance the field. Her influence extends beyond research, as she actively participates in academic conferences and training programs, sharing her knowledge and insights with a broader audience.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Perez’s legacy is defined by her dedication to advancing medical imaging technologies and her commitment to education. As she continues her career, her ongoing research on high-resolution X-ray imaging and tomography is expected to yield significant advancements in medical diagnostics. Dr. Perez’s work will undoubtedly continue to influence future research and clinical practices, contributing to the development of more precise and effective diagnostic tools. Her contributions to medical physics, both in research and education, ensure that her impact will be felt for many years to come.

 

Notable Publications

Quantitative assessment of signal and noise properties of mammography digital detectors 2024

Performance evaluation of six digital mammography systems 2024

Characterization of digital systems used in medical X-ray imaging 2022 (1)

Estudo Experimental da Otimização em Sistemas de Mamografia Digital CR e DR 2017 (3)

Experimental evaluation of the image quality and dose in digital mammography: Influence of x-ray spectrum  2015 (7)

 

 

 

 

Nina Tuncel | Health Professions | Women Research Award

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Assoc Prof Dr. Nina Tuncel | Health Professions | Women Research Award

Akdeniz University | Turkey

Author Profile

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Early Academic Pursuits

Assoc. Prof. Nina Tunçel began her academic journey with a solid foundation in physics at Al-Zahra University, Iran, where she completed her undergraduate studies from 1979 to 1987. She pursued postgraduate studies in Tıbbi Radyofizik  at Istanbul University's Health Sciences Institute from 1988 to 1991, followed by a doctoral degree in the same field from 1991 to 1998. Her academic pursuits in physics laid the groundwork for her interdisciplinary research focus encompassing medicine, health sciences, and biophysics.

Professional Endeavors

Throughout her career, Assoc. Prof. Nina Tunçel has held various academic and professional positions, demonstrating her commitment to advancing knowledge and expertise in her field. She began as a Research Assistant at Istanbul University's Onkoloji Enstitüsü (Oncology Institute) from 1993 to 1996, marking the beginning of her involvement in medical physics research. Subsequently, she held positions as an Expert at Akdeniz University's Faculty of Medicine and Dokuz Eylul University's Tıp Fakültesi (Faculty of Medicine) , where she contributed significantly to radiation oncology and internal medicine.

Contributions and Research Focus

Assoc. Prof. Tunçel's research areas span a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, health sciences, internal medicine sciences, radiation oncology, physics, and interdisciplinary physics. Her expertise in biophysics and medical physics has led to numerous contributions in the understanding and application of radiation in healthcare, such as the design of tissue-mimicking gel phantoms for diffusion kurtosis imaging and the optimization of radiotherapy techniques for various cancer treatments. Her research has been published in prestigious journals indexed by SCI, SSCI, and AHCI, highlighting her significant contributions to the scientific community.

Accolades and Recognition

Assoc. Prof. Nina Tunçel has received recognition for her outstanding contributions to the field of medical physics. Her research has earned her accolades such as the Best Researcher Award, demonstrating the impact of her work on advancing knowledge and innovation in healthcare. Additionally, she has been acknowledged for her academic excellence through publications in renowned journals and presentations at international conferences, further solidifying her reputation as a leading expert in her field.

Impact and Influence

Assoc. Prof. Tunçel's work has had a profound impact on the field of medical physics, particularly in the areas of radiation oncology and biophysics. Her research has contributed to the development of innovative techniques and methodologies for cancer treatment, improving the effectiveness and precision of radiation therapy while minimizing adverse effects on patients. Through her academic endeavors and professional contributions, she has inspired future generations of scientists and clinicians to explore new frontiers in medical physics and contribute to the advancement of healthcare.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Assoc. Prof. Nina Tunçel's legacy lies in her significant contributions to the field of medical physics, which have paved the way for advancements in cancer treatment and radiation therapy. Her research has provided invaluable insights into the complex interactions between radiation and biological systems, leading to improved patient outcomes and quality of life. As she continues her academic journey, Assoc. Prof. Tunçel remains committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in medical physics and shaping the future of healthcare through her innovative research and dedication to excellence.

Notable Publications

Physical and chemical properties of beads glasses 2023

Radio-sensitivity on MCF-7 cells of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Silybum marianum 2023 (3) 

Hybrid Tomo-Helical and Tomo-Direct radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer 2021 (1)

The dose rate measurements of C-arm fluoroscopic x-ray systems with and without apron 2018 (1)

Design and Characterisation of Tissue-Mimicking Gel Phantoms for Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging 2018 (17)