2025 Recap

50th Annual Pendergrass Symposium: A Milestone Celebration in Radiology Innovation

Prepared by: Seth VanHorn, Web Content Coordinator 

The 50th Annual Eugene P. Pendergrass Symposium brought together a vibrant community of radiology professionals, researchers, and trainees to celebrate a half-century of scientific excellence. Hosted at the Rubenstein Auditorium in Smilow Commons, the event featured a full day of cutting-edge presentations, rapid-fire poster sessions, and distinguished lectures.  

Morning Kickoff

The day began with a continental breakfast followed by a warm welcome from Terence Gade, MD, PhD, Co-Director of the Penn Image-Guided Interventions (PIGI) Laboratory and Matthew J. Wilson Professor of Research Radiology II.

SESSION I: PLENARY

Plenary Speakers
  • Maruf Adewole, PhD – Clinical Trainee
  • Yu Sakai, MD – Clinical Trainee
  • Marina Awad, BS – Basic Science Trainee
  • Hasan Babazada, PhD – Basic Science Trainee
  • Florence M. Muller, MEng, MSc – Basic Science Trainee
  • Ryan Armbruster, BS – Basic Science Trainee
  • Ritesh Kumar Isuri, BA – Basic Science Trainee
  • Katherine Hartmann, MD, PhD – Clinical Trainee

Coffee Break & Poster Review

Attendees enjoyed refreshments while exploring a wide range of poster presentations.

SESSION II: POSTER MAD-MINUTE

Mad-Minute Speakers
  • Alfredo Lucas, PhD – Clinical & Basic Science Trainee
  • Brian-Tinh Duc Vu, BS – Basic Science Trainee
  • Jessica Im, BSE – Basic Science Trainee
  • Silvani Amin, BA – Basic Science Trainee
  • Tatiana Morales-Tisnés, MD – Basic Science Trainee
  • Alexander Isaac Zavriyev, MS – Basic Science Trainee
  • Bahram Mohajer, MD, MPH – Clinical Trainee
  • Mohamed Ghonim, MD – Clinical Trainee
  • Laiz Laura de Godoy, MD, PhD – Clinical Trainee
  • Priscilla Stecher, MD, MBA – Clinical Trainee


18th Sridhar R. Charagundla Lecture

In 2008, we introduced the Charagundla Lecture to honor the life of Sridhar R. Charagundla, MD, Ph.D., a promising young faculty member and former trainee of the Department who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 35. He was a rising star in academic Radiology, known for his innovative work at the interface of imaging science and clinical medicine.

In the spirit of Dr. Charagundla, that same year, we started the tradition of inviting our research trainees and house staff to submit one-page abstracts describing research projects they performed while at Penn. A faculty committee reviews and ranks each submission. The top nine are invited to give short oral presentations at the Symposium, and those not selected are asked to present posters. From the top nine, the paper that most exemplifies the outstanding research completed by a trainee receives the honor of delivering the Charagundla Lecture. 

This year, Bukola Y. Adebesin, BS, was selected to present her research - “HCC Subtyping for Precision Therapy: Linking Biology and Molecular Imaging to Predict TACE Response”

50th Eugene P. Pendergrass Lecture

Through the decades, the Department has invited world-renowned speakers to deliver the Pendergrass Lecture. This year, our new Chair, Pari V. Pandharipande, MD, MPH, FACR, introduced the 50th Eugene P. Pendergrass lecturer, Curtis P. Langlotz, MD, PhD. Dr. Langlotz - a Professor of Radiology, Medicine, and Biomedical Data Science at Stanford University - provided a comprehensive look at how the role of AI in radiology is evolving. 

Poster Session, Awards & Reception

The day concluded with a celebratory poster session and awards reception, recognizing the outstanding contributions of this year’s presenters.

Harvey Nisenbaum Award for Medical Imaging at PPMC 

Dr. Harvey Nisenbaum served as Chairman of the Department of Medical Imaging at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center from 2001 to 2018, holding the longest tenure of any chairman since the hospital joined the University of Pennsylvania Health System in 1995.

Under his leadership, the Department has introduced tremendous scientific advances in Medical Imaging into clinical practice and significantly expanded its contribution to the hospital’s mission. Dr. Nisenbaum also led the integration of Radiology services at Penn Presbyterian into the Department of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine.

To honor Dr. Nisenbaum’s legacy, we announced a scientific award a couple of years ago to recognize medical students, residents, and fellows who continue his work at the Department of Medical Imaging by creating new scientific intelligence through research. The award is intended to stimulate investigative research in Medical Imaging at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, advancing the Department’s academic mission.

Recipient: Douglas Roberts-Wolfe, MD, PhD | Clinical Trainee
 

Roentgen Ray Research Award

Recognizes outstanding residents who’ve advanced radiologic research. Recipients of this award will have published in peer-reviewed journals, presented work at regional and national meetings, received a research grant, and/or otherwise contributed to the success of a departmental research program.

Recipient: Katherine Hartmann, MD, PhD | Clinical Trainee
 

Chief Research Resident

This award recognizes the contribution of the Research Track Chief Resident, who, each year, directs components of the Research Track. This award recognizes the excellent and important work done by the Research Track Chief Resident, which often goes unheralded through much of the academic, and is awarded appropriately on Pendergrass Day, which celebrates trainee research in Radiology.

Recipient: Yu Sakai, MD | Clinical trainee
 

Best Abstract Poster by a Research Trainee

Recipient: Jessica Im, BSE | Basic Science Trainee
 

Best Abstract Poster by a Clinical Trainee

Recipient: Giang Hoang, MSE | Clinical & Basic Science Trainee
 


Thank You!

A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, moderators, and attendees who made the 50th Annual Pendergrass Symposium a resounding success. Here's to the next 50 years of innovation in radiology!