Brejjette Aljabi, a medical student from the Heersink School of Medicine, has made a big mark in the world of medical research. A member of the class of 2026, Aljabi recently won the “Best Podium Presentation” in the Renal Cancer Podium Session at the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting. The event took place from March 12 to 15, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
From UC Berkeley to Medical School
Before joining medical school, Brejjette Aljabi completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. After that, she spent three years teaching high school maths and science in Nashville. During this time, she also earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.). Now, she is pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor and is currently studying medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Research Focus on Complex Kidney Cancer Surgeries
Aljabi’s award-winning presentation was titled, “Radical Nephrectomy with IVC Thrombectomy Characteristics and Outcomes According to Multidisciplinary Surgical Teams.” In this project, she looked into how using a team of surgeons from different specialities affects patient outcomes during complicated kidney cancer surgeries. These surgeries involve removing kidney tumors that extend into the vena cava, a major vein.
The study analysed nearly ten years of surgery data. It found that multidisciplinary teams were more often used in complex cases, but this did not significantly affect short-term results for the patients. This suggests that the use of these surgical teams can depend on the specific case, the availability of specialists, or the preference of the lead urologic surgeon.
Why She Chose This Topic
Aljabi said that she is especially interested in research that can lead to better care for patients. She designed this study to find out if teamwork among surgeons can help improve outcomes in high-risk surgeries. She believes that medicine is like a team sport, and collaboration is key to success in tough cases.
Future Plans and Research Goals
Looking ahead, Aljabi wants to keep doing research in the field of urology. She plans to stay involved in medical research throughout medical school and during her residency. One of her main goals is to study health care differences among various groups and work toward equal, high-quality care for everyone. She also hopes to continue attending and presenting her work at national conferences and build strong connections with urologists across the country.
A Word of Thanks to Her Mentor
Aljabi also gave a special thanks to her mentor, Dr. Charles Peyton, who is an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Urology. She credited him for guiding her throughout the project and supporting her from the beginning.
Brejjette Aljabi’s journey from teaching in a classroom to presenting award-winning research at a major medical conference is both inspiring and impressive. Her dedication to improving patient care through research, and her commitment to teamwork in medicine, shows that she is well on her way to becoming a leader in urology. With future plans focused on tackling health care disparities and deepening her research, her work is sure to have a lasting impact on the medical community.
FAQs
Who is Brejjette Aljabi?
Brejjette Aljabi is a medical student at the Heersink School of Medicine, class of 2026. She recently won the Best Podium Presentation in the Renal Cancer Podium Session at the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association Annual Meeting in 2025.
What was Brejjette Aljabi’s award-winning presentation about?
Her presentation focused on complex kidney cancer surgeries, specifically on outcomes of radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy when performed by multidisciplinary surgical teams. Her study found that while these teams were used more often in complex cases, they did not significantly change short-term outcomes.
Where was the AUA Southeastern Section Annual Meeting held in 2025?
The American Urological Association Southeastern Section Annual Meeting in 2025 was held in Nashville, Tennessee, from March 12 to 15.
What is Brejjette Aljabi’s educational background?
She earned a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley and a Master of Education while teaching high school science and math in Nashville. She is now a medical student at UAB.
Who mentored Brejjette Aljabi in her research?
Dr. Charles Peyton, assistant professor in the UAB Department of Urology, served as her mentor and supported her research journey.