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As a radiation oncologist and physician-scientist, I spend my days caring for patients and running a lab dedicated to understanding the biology of gastrointestinal cancers to discover new ways to treat them. I studied engineering in college, but after graduation, I became interested in medical research and enrolled in medical school. 

I completed my M.D./Ph.D. through a U54 Partnership between the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School before becoming a radiation oncology resident and Holman Research Pathway Fellow. Now I¡¯m an assistant professor at MD Anderson, specializing in gastrointestinal radiation oncology. My residency here at MD Anderson was such an important part of what I do today.

Here are a few things I learned during my radiation oncology training.

Large cancer centers offer opportunities to unlock advances and new treatments

We tell our patients that where you go matters, and it¡¯s true for researchers and trainees as well.  As the world¡¯s largest cancer center, MD Anderson provides unparalleled opportunities to learn and collaborate. The breadth of cases we see allows us to pursue important questions in cancer care and research, guided by faculty who bring deep expertise in every subspecialty. As a resident and now a physician-scientist, I¡¯ve found it remarkable to train and work in an environment that offers such unique access to knowledge, mentorship and innovation.

Mentoring and support prepared me to lead my own lab

My mentors supported me unconditionally, both professionally and personally.  I went to their children¡¯s softball games and family barbecues, and they were there to celebrate my wedding. At every turn, I was met with more opportunities to connect both in and outside of MD Anderson. It sounds clich¨¦, but it really did feel like a family. On top of that, the residency program, led by radiation oncologist , is so robust that they really had time to cater to each one of us. 

The mentorship I received was particularly important when setting up my lab. My mentor, Cullen Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D., was an MD Anderson radiation oncologist and researcher who passed away two years ago. He gave me the resources and freedom to explore meaningful questions. This support allowed me to generate the preliminary data needed to secure external funding and establish my lab.

The residency program also supported my participation in the Holman Research Pathway, a special training track created by the American Board of Radiology that provides critical protected research time for aspiring physician scientists. Another mentor gave me a framework for scientific rigor and collaboration that continues to shape how I run my lab. Without this network of mentorship and institutional support, I would not be in the position I am today as a physician-scientist leading my own laboratory.

Team science is a critical part of MD Anderson¡¯s culture

Team science is a critical part of MD Anderson¡¯s culture. You hear about collaboration everywhere, but at MD Anderson, it truly defines how we work.

Throughout my training and now as faculty, I¡¯ve had opportunities to build partnerships across disciplines, supported not only by colleagues eager to collaborate but also by a strong institutional commitment to early career investigators. Within Radiation Oncology, , our division head, has been instrumental in fostering this environment, and across MD Anderson, our Chief Scientific Officer, , has championed the structures that make these collaborations possible. I can walk down the hall, catch up with a colleague, and, before long, we¡¯re sketching out a new project together.

Artificial intelligence will complement radiation oncology, not replace it.

Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in radiation oncology to support treatment planning. It helps us define where radiation should and should not be delivered to, allowing for treatment plans that are both safe and effective. These tools are improving precision and efficiency, but they are not a substitute for human expertise. Radiation oncologists will always be essential to guide decisions, interpret complex clinical scenarios and ensure that technology is applied in the best interest of each patient.

There¡¯s so much innovation in the field of radiation oncology. From FLASH therapy to combinatorial strategies that integrate radiation with systemic therapies such as targeted agents and immunotherapies, this field is so motivated to make advances that benefit our patients. If we can find ways to help our patients, we have to do it.

Learn about the radiation oncology residency at MD Anderson.