Medical student presents diagnostic radiology research at conference in Singapore

Brandon Schonour presents a digital poster on his research

at the international conference.

Brandon Schonour, a third-year medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine, presented MRI-based research this summer at the 2024 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) annual meeting and exhibition in Singapore. 

Schonour worked with his research mentor, Jae Ho Sohn, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco, over the course of the last year on the diagnostic radiology project titled “Predictors of 0.55T Respiratory Navigated Lung MRI Degradation.” 

Specifically, the research project tried to find predictors of degraded image quality when scanning lungs on a 0.55T MRI machine, Schonour said. “The usefulness of this information is that if we know what factors, such as the presence of fibrotic interstitial lung disease, contribute to a patient having a poorer image quality,” he explained, “we could try to adjust the scan parameters to optimize the image quality in these specific patient populations.” 

The Florida native said he picked a career path at a young age, knowing that he wanted to pursue diagnostic radiology since the third grade. The opportunity to attend the conference in Singapore with some of the leading radiologists in the world solidified his decision. 

“Given that I am interested in diagnostic radiology as a specialty, it was a great experience getting to learn all about the work being done in the field of MRI,” he said. “It also felt great to be able to represent my school on a global level such as this.” 

At the Whiddon College of Medicine, Schonour is a member of the Native American Student Association, Quatsabadi STEM Mentoring, Radiology Interest Group, Global Health Collaborative, and Medical School Admissions Ambassador Team.  

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine is an international, nonprofit, scientific association whose purpose is to promote communication, research, development, and applications in the field of magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and to develop and provide channels and facilities for continuing education in the field. Its multidisciplinary membership of more than 8,000 consists of clinicians, physicists, engineers, biochemists, and technologists. 

Summer Research Day set for July 26

The Whiddon College of Medicine will host the 51st annual Medical Student Summer Research Day on Friday, July 26. 

This year, 34 rising second-year medical students and 17 incoming first-year medical students participated in the Medical Student Summer Research Program. The eight-week program pairs medical students with faculty mentors, and students devote 30 to 40 hours a week to a research project. The summer experience includes hands-on research related to basic science and/or clinical medicine, and a seminar program that focuses on various scientific and clinical topics. Through the program, students develop an appreciation of how research contributes to the knowledge and practice of medicine.

The program culminates with student presentations and a keynote lecture on Summer Research Day. 

Medical student oral presentations
8:30 – 11 a.m.
Medical Sciences Building, first-floor auditorium

Keynote lecture
11 a.m. – noon
Medical Sciences Building, first-floor auditorium
Troy Moon, M.D., MPH
Professor of tropical medicine and pediatrics, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Watch lecture via Zoom: https://southalabama.zoom.us/j/94554576158

Medical student poster presentations
12:30 – 2 p.m.
Medical Sciences Building, second-floor hallway (near the MSB/CSAB connector) 

Winners of the Clyde G. “Sid” Huggins Medical Student Research Awards will be announced after the event. The awards honor the memory of the first dean of students at the College of Medicine. Winners receive a plaque and a cash award.

USA welcomes new anatomic and clinical pathologist

Hector Daniel Chavarria-Bernal, M.D.

Hector Daniel Chavarria-Bernal, M.D., has always been curious about understanding disease development. This curiosity – combined with his positive experiences in anatomy and histology practices during medical school – led him to pursue a career in pathology.

He recently joined USA Health as an anatomic and clinical pathologist and the Whiddon College of Medicine as an assistant professor of pathology. USA Health’s commitment to excellence in patient care and medical education drew him to the academic health system.

“It has always been my dream to be part of an academic institution where I can apply the knowledge and skills I have gained throughout my years of training,” he said.

Originally from El Salvador, Chavarria-Bernal received his medical degree from Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado in San Salvador.

He completed residency training, followed by a fellowship in breast and gynecological pathology, at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, affiliated with the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health in New York. He furthered his training with a fellowship in genitourinary pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when I can provide answers to patients and clinicians about the nature of a disease,” he said. “Helping them understand the diagnosis and potential treatment options is incredibly fulfilling.”

Board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology, Chavarria-Bernal is a member of the College of American Pathologists, American Society of Clinical Pathology, and the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology.

He expressed his gratitude to Guillermo Herrera, M.D., professor and chair of pathology, for the opportunity to be part of USA Health; and to his wife, Li Sun, and mother, Elsa Bernal, for their support.