The Emory Radiology Research Track has evolved over time into its current form: a formal research program with a dedicated NRMP match number. Currently, our program accepts two residents per year for a total of eight residents in the program.
Current Residents
Each of the current residents is listed below with the title of their research project.
Class of 2026
Meagan Bechel, MD, PhD (RSNA Research Grant Recipient)
Research Project: IT interventions to increase patient and physician engagement with incidental imaging recommendations
Saumya Gurbani, MD, PhD (RSNA Research Grant Recipient)
Research Project: MR spectroscopy and chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging at 7T
Class of 2027
Martin Halicek, MD, PhD
Research Project: Development of a novel aortic calcification tool for stratifying and predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes using a multi-center, multi-scanner dataset, demographics and population analysis
Ethan Leng, MD, PhD
Research Project: Streaming radiology workflow using a custom Epic dashboard
Class of 2028
Paul D’Cunha, MD
Radiomics for pediatric high-grade glioma prognostics/genetics
Carolina Morales Lara, MD
Applying machine learning models to clinical and CTA-derived data to predict cardiovascular outcomes
Class of 2029
Stephanie Cheung, MD, PhD
Research Project TBD
William Chwa, MD
Research Project TBD
Alumni
Program alumni have gone on to a variety of experiences and positions. Some residents choose to remain at Emory to continue their training, while others earned prestigious fellowships around the country. Some have even returned to Emory as faculty members. Recent graduates are listed below with their subsequent position after finishing residency or current position.
Class of 2025
Wasif Bala, MD
Neuroradiology Fellow, Emory University
Joshua Brown, MD, PhD (RSNA grant recipient)
Neuroradiology Fellow, Emory University
Class of 2024
Aravind Somasundaram, MD
Private practice radiology, Mecklenburg Radiology Associates
Zofia Lasiecka, MD, PhD (RSNA grant recipient)
Assistant Professor, Neuroradiology, Emory University
Class of 2023
Russell Glenn, MD (RSNA grant recipient)
Private Practice, Vision Radiology
Charlie Park, MD (RSNA grant recipient)
Private Practice, Tower Saint John's Imaging
Class of 2022
John Daniel Comer, MD, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Michigan
Damian Dyckman, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Emory University Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences
Class of 2021
Charlotte Chung, MD, PhD (RSNA grant award winner)
Assistant Proefssor, Neurorinterventional Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Christopher Hesh, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Interventional Radiology and Pediatric Imaging Divisions, University of Minnesota Medical School
Class of 2020
Patricia Balthazar, MD, MPH, CIIP (RSNA grant award winner)
Assistant Professor and Medical Director, Quality and Patient Safety, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Division of Abdominal Imaging, Emory University
Anna Baer, MD, PhD (RSNA grant award winner)
Assistant Professor, Emory University Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Neuroradiology and Pediatric Imaging Divisions
Class of 2017
Marc Benayoun, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neuroradiology, Wake Forest University
Gelareh Sadigh, MD (RSNA grant award winner)
Associate Professor of Radiology, Director of Radiology Health Services and Comparative Outcome Research, University of California Irvine College of Medicine
Class of 2016
Faramarz Edalaat, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Emory University Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences
Nima Kokabi, MD (RSNA grant award winner)
Associate Professor, Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Director of Interventional Oncology, Director of Cancer Imaging, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Radiology
Class of 2014
Andrew Nicholson, MD (RSNA grant award winner)
Neurointerventional Radiologist, University of Tennessee Medical Center
Sima Banerjee, MD
Interventional Radiologist, Samaritan Health
Class of 2010
James Costello, MD, PhD (RSNA grant award winner)
Associate, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and IR, Moffitt Cancer Center
Class of 2009
Dan Karolyi, MD, PhD (RSNA grant award winner)
Associate Professor, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Testimonials
Dr. Gelareh Sadigh talks about her experience as a resident in the Research Track.
Dr. Patricia Balthazar
"The Emory Radiology Residency Research Track was critical in quick-starting my career as an academic radiologist. The protected academic time allowed me to remain productive on research projects during busy clinical residency years. At Emory, I found fantastic mentors who help me achieve my personal goals. As a Research Track resident, I received 2 grants, 9 awards, published more than 15 peer-reviewed articles, and spoke at numerous national meetings. More importantly, I graduated as a well-rounded radiologist without having to extend the length of my training to pursue my research interests."