Pathology fellow earns inaugural BCRFA Catalyst Award for promising breast cancer research

Prabhat Suman, Ph.D., right, with his mentor, Debanjan Chakroborty, Ph.D., is investigating mechanisms that drive tumor growth.

By Lindsay Hughes

A researcher at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute was recognized for his early-career potential with a new honor from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA). 

Prabhat Suman, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in pathology, has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural BCRFA Catalyst Award, a $25,000 grant to support early investigators pursuing innovative breast cancer studies.

For Suman, who has spent the past three years investigating mechanisms that drive tumor growth, the award represents both validation and momentum.

“As a researcher, getting the BCRFA Catalyst Award means a lot to me,” he said. “Not only does it help me pursue new ideas, but it also gives me the confidence that I am on the right track with my work. This award will let me get the early results I need to strengthen my research and lay a solid groundwork for future grant applications. I am grateful for the opportunity.”

The project funded by the Catalyst Award will allow Suman to explore how WNT7b, a signaling protein, affects tumor growth. By generating preliminary data, the research team hopes to determine whether reducing WNT7b activity can slow or stop the spread of breast cancer cells.

“Understanding the mechanism of action of this protein could lead to the development of novel treatments, thereby improving disease prognosis,” Suman explained. “The results will help to secure larger grants and more advanced studies.”

His mentor, Debanjan Chakroborty, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pathology at the Whiddon College of Medicine and a cancer researcher at MCI, said the recognition comes at a pivotal moment in Suman’s career.

“As a mentor, I would like to say that this is a phenomenal achievement,” Chakroborty said. “Dr. Suman has been working with me for three years now, and I have witnessed his rapid growth as a researcher. The award will not only provide financial support but also boost his confidence in his research endeavors. He is an excellent researcher, and this award will undoubtedly strengthen his trajectory and contribute to future success. I look forward to seeing the outcome of this innovative study.”

Suman credits Chakroborty’s mentorship as a key part of his development. “I am thankful to my mentor, Dr. Debanjan Chakroborty, for his unwavering support and encouragement. His guidance has been vital in my growth as a researcher,” he said.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama has invested more than $17 million in Alabama-based breast cancer research since 1996.

Apply now for Educator's Compass faculty development program

Whiddon College of Medicine faculty are invited to apply for the Educator's Compass: Teaching Track, a cohort-based faculty development program designed to help medical educators strengthen their teaching skills and confidence in the classroom and clinical setting.

Through interactive workshops, peer learning, and practical application, participants explore evidence-based strategies to enhance learner engagement and instructional effectiveness. This program is ideal for faculty who are passionate about teaching and demonstrate promise as future educational leaders.

Program Details

• Cohort: Spring 2026
• Schedule: Every other Wednesday, Jan. 14 – May 6, 2026
• Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
• Format: Hybrid (mix of in-person and virtual sessions)
• Who should apply: Module directors, clerkship directors, program directors, associate directors, and other faculty members interested in advancing their teaching skills
• How to apply: https://forms.gle/rHu452FMchNzd66h7

Space is limited, so early application is encouraged. Contact Amanda Arnold at akarnold@southalabama.edu with any questions about the program.

USA Health residents and fellows present multiple posters at annual GI meeting

Omsai Meka, M.D.; Lauren Healey, D.O.; Adriana Reyes, M.D.; Shausha Farooq, M.D.; Will Basegoda, M.D.; and Will Gannaway.

USA Health internal medicine residents and gastroenterology fellows made a strong impact at the 2025 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting, held last month in Phoenix, Arizona, where they showcased diverse, high-level clinical research. 

Eleven residents and fellows presented 15 posters over the three-day event. Fellows Hunter Dickson, D.O, and William Dungan, M.D., and internal medicine resident Rida Ahmad, MBBS, won ACG Presidential Poster Awards. 

“Representing USA Health at ACG along with my colleagues was an incredible experience,” said Omsai Meka, M.D., a second-year internal medicine resident. “I presented on a potential adverse effect of a biologic medication that we use regularly for IBD treatment as it is important to bring awareness of these effects. It was wonderful to see and learn about new advances in GI while connecting with new colleagues.” 

The residents and fellows who presented posters included:  

• Dickson, who presented posters titled “New Onset Crohn’s Disease Following Secukinumab Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa” (ACG Presidential Poster Award) and “A Rare Case of Gastric Myeloid Sarcoma in Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia” 
• Dungan, who presented a poster titled “Coilodocholithiasis: ERCP Management of Biliary Obstruction from Gastroduodenal Artery Coil Migration” (ACG Presidential Poster Award) 
• Cesar Moreno, M.D., a gastroenterology fellow, who presented a poster titled “Crohn’s Disease Unmasked by Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome” 
• Robert Ousley, M.D., a gastroenterology fellow, who presented a poster titled “Complications of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A Case Highlighting Late Sequelae”  
• Jessica Woodham, D.O., a gastroenterology fellow, who presented a poster titled “Immune-Mediated Colitis with Visible Endoscopic Changes and Lymphocytic Histologic Changes: A Diagnostic Conundrum”  
• Ahmad, a second-year internal medicine resident, who was not able to attend, but her poster “Diabetic Ketoacidosis Complicated by Esophageal Perforation: A Case Report of Black Esophagus” was presented by a GI fellow in attendance 
• Shausha Farooq, M.D., a third-year internal medicine resident, who presented “Aseptic Abscess Syndrome Causing Repeat Liver Abscess in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis” 
• Lauren Healey, D.O, a third-year internal medicine resident, who presented posters titled “A Rare Case of CMV Presenting as an Ampullary Mass and Cholangitis in an Immunocompetent Patient” and “When Pancreatic Cyst Rupture Leads to Cytokine Storm: A Case of Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis”   
• Adriana Reyes, M.D., a third-year internal medicine resident, who presented a poster titled “When the Right Side Goes Wrong: An Atypical Presentation of Isolated Right-Sided Colonic Ischemia in an Elderly Patient” 
• Will Basegoda, M.D., a second-year internal medicine resident, who presented posters titled “Annular Pancreas Unveiled: An Incidental Finding in Alcoholic Pancreatitis” and “An Unusual Presentation of Obstructive Jaundice Due to Primary Hepatic Lymphoma” 
• Comfort Jack, M.D., a second-year internal medicine resident, who presented a poster titled “IgG4-Related Hepatobiliary Disease Presenting as Biliary Stricture and Hepatic Mass: A Delayed Diagnosis”  
• Meka, who presented a poster titled “Metastatic Primary Ovarian Melanoma Following TNF-α Inhibitor Use for Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease” 

These residents and fellows were joined at the national meeting by Preston Sonnier, M.D., a gastroenterologist at USA Health, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the Whiddon College of Medicine, and director of the Section of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.  

“It was an honor to represent South Alabama at ACG, where I had the opportunity to present my posters, connect with people from across the country, and even reconnect with familiar faces,” Basegoda said. “The experience was unique and inspiring.” 

Art of Medicine showcases creativity across Whiddon College of Medicine

Students showcased their artistic talents at the fourth annual event.

Twenty-one artists and performers from the Whiddon College of Medicine shared their talents at the fourth annual Art of Medicine. Hosted by the Wellness Council, the event was held Nov. 18 in the MacQueen Alumni Center Grand Ballroom. 

Caleb Phillips performed a piano solo.

Performance highlights included original poetry, a clarinet/flute duet, two solo singers, a piano solo, and a band comprising first- and second-year medical students. Several artists displayed photography, digital art, paintings, crocheted work, and embroidery, cross-stitch and sewing projects. Also on display were graphite portraits and narratives from the INTO LIGHT Alabama art exhibition, which features people from Alabama who have died from substance use disorder.

Waleed Saoud, Wellness Council president, and Tessa Allen, vice president, expressed their gratitude to all the artists who participated this year. 

“It was because of their hard work and dedication that we were able to host an event with such high energy and enthusiasm for the fusion between the humanities and medicine,” they said. “We hope to continue to expand on this event and look forward to seeing even more amazing contributions at Art of Medicine 2026.”

View more photos from the event on Flickr.

Whiddon COM staff present on success of novel resiliency programming

LoRen Modisa, Ed.D., MPA, and Tiquera Hall, Ph.D., MPA

LoRen Modisa, Ed.D., MPA, and Tiquera Hall, Ph.D., MPA, from the Whiddon College of Medicine's Office of Health Advancement, recently showcased their innovative research at the 2025 Association of Medical Education Learning Specialists Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Their presentation detailed early success of a novel resiliency program adapted from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This program is specifically designed to enhance student well-being and academic persistence through structured training tailored for pre-medical, medical, and Ph.D. students at the college. The initiative, housed within the Office of Health Advancement, integrates evidence-based strategies to equip learners with essential skills for managing stress, maintaining motivation, and navigating the intense demands of rigorous academic life.

The program's crucial, and often missing, elements address topics vital for success in medicine, including:

• Imposter syndrome
• Feedback resilience and mentorship
• Establishing personal and professional boundaries
• Identifying cognitive distortions
• Developing professional identity

The programming was initially introduced to Whiddon COM Ph.D. students. Since then, it has begun phased implementation within the college's pre-matriculation pathway programs and medical bridge programs, such as PRE-Path and Rx for Success. Early results indicate strong student engagement and a positive impact on both academic and personal development.

Moving forward, Modisa and Hall plan to formalize their resiliency programming framework, continue data collection with the pre-medical undergraduates in the pathway programs, and expand session offerings to a wider audience of medical and Ph.D. students. This research and programming underscores Whiddon College of Medicine’s commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment and advancing holistic, student-centered approaches to medical education.