Brejjette Aljabi, M.Ed., class of 2026 medical student in the Heersink School of Medicine, recently won Best Podium Presentation in the Renal Cancer Podium Session at the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association Annual Meeting. The meeting was held March 12-15, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Aljabi, who is mentored by Charles Peyton, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Urology, presented, “Radical Nephrectomy with IVC Thrombectomy Characteristics and Outcomes According to Multidisciplinary Surgical Teams.”
Aljabi shares more about her career path, research interests, and future goals.
Tell us about your educational path leading up to this point.
Aljabi: I went to undergrad at UC Berkeley and earned a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology. Then I taught high school math and science in Nashville for three years and earned a Master of Education, and now I am in medical school!
Give us a brief overview of your research, specifically as it pertains to your winning presentation.
Aljabi: This project looked at how involving a multidisciplinary surgical team affects outcomes in complex kidney cancer surgeries where the tumor extends into the vena cava. We reviewed cases over nearly a decade and found that while these teams were used more often in tougher cases, they didn’t necessarily change short-term outcomes for patients. The findings suggest that the team of surgeons across different specialties can be chosen based on individual case characteristics, logistical concerns, or just urologic oncology surgeon preference.
What got you interested in this topic?
Aljabi: As a medical student, I’ve been drawn to research projects that focus on improving patient outcomes. I designed this project to explore how collaboration across surgical teams can influence outcomes in high-risk cases. Medicine is a team sport after all!
What are your forward-facing research goals?
Aljabi: My goal is to continue pursuing urology research throughout medical school and residency. I am especially interested in investigating health care disparities to ensure quality urologic health care for all patients. I also hope to continue presenting at conferences and collaborating with urologists across the country.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Aljabi: I want to thank Dr. Peyton for being an incredible research mentor! I truly couldn’t have done it without his support, guidance, and encouragement.