Meet the Candidates
Chair Candidate: Tugce Kutuk, MD
I am a PGY-3 Radiation Oncology resident at The Ohio State University and currently serve as Vice Chair of the RSS Residents Committee. My passion for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy is rooted in their ability to deliver highly precise, evidence-based, and patient-centered treatments while continually advancing the frontiers of multidisciplinary cancer care.
During my time with RSS, I have been actively involved in resident education, mentorship initiatives, scientific programming, and trainee engagement. These experiences have provided me with a deep appreciation for the Society’s mission and the vital role RSS plays in fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional development within the radiosurgery community. Serving alongside an outstanding group of residents, faculty, neurosurgeons, medical physicists, and industry partners has been both inspiring and rewarding.
As a candidate for Chair, I hope to build upon the strong foundation established by previous committee leaders by expanding educational programming, enhancing mentorship opportunities, and increasing engagement among radiation oncology, neurosurgery, and medical physics trainees. I am particularly committed to promoting multidisciplinary collaboration, creating meaningful opportunities for trainee leadership, and ensuring that RSS continues to serve as an inclusive and dynamic community for the next generation of stereotactic specialists.
It would be a privilege to continue serving the RSS membership and to contribute to the Society’s mission of advancing stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy through education, innovation, research, and collaboration. I am excited about the opportunity to help strengthen our trainee community and support the future leaders of our field.
Vice Chair Candidate: Jayavignesh Sekar, MD
After a rewarding year serving on the RSS Residents Executive Committee, I am enthusiastic about applying for the position of Vice Chair. My experience over the past year has strengthened my commitment to the Society and inspired me to contribute further by helping develop initiatives that advance resident education, collaboration, innovation, and engagement within the RSS community.
Engagement with RSS educational initiatives early in my residency training strengthened my longstanding interest in radiation oncology and radiosurgery, including participation in the debate on “Navigating the Emergence of Radioligand Therapy” at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Bronx, New York. Since graduating from medical school more than a decade ago, I have consistently pursued opportunities to collaborate with diverse multidisciplinary experts, engage in challenging debates, and foster innovation through cross-disciplinary learning, as is evident from my CV. These experiences have shaped my professional growth and provided me with skills that I believe are valuable for serving as Vice Chair.
Serving on the RSS Residents Executive Committee has given me a deeper understanding of the committee’s goals, initiatives, and collaborative culture. Through active participation in discussions and Society activities, I have had the opportunity to work closely with residents and faculty, support educational and mentorship efforts, and build meaningful relationships with fellow committee members, giving me a strong foundation to serve as Vice Chair
My strong interest in Spine SRS and continued involvement in neuro-radiation oncology research have reinforced my commitment to advancing radiosurgical education and innovation. As Vice Chair, I hope to take on a more active role within the Residents Executive Committee and contribute new ideas and perspectives. Some of the initiatives I would be excited to help develop include:
1. For the upcoming RSS meeting in Amsterdam, I have ideas for a dedicated resident-focused hands-on contouring session that would complement the traditional difficult case discussions by providing a more interactive and practical educational experience for trainees.
2. A monthly or quarterly resident-focused newsletter highlighting emerging technologies, challenging clinical cases, and educational updates, complementing webinars to enhance education, promote discussion, and bring greater enthusiasm and engagement within the RSS community.
3. International collaborations that bring together diverse perspectives on healthcare delivery, socioeconomic considerations, and resource management in radiosurgery, creating new opportunities for learning and partnership across institutions and countries.
I believe these efforts can further strengthen resident education, encourage innovation, and make the coming year impactful for the RSS community. I also look forward to actively participating in the committee’s ongoing collaborative projects, including white papers, webinars, and joint initiatives with physics residents, which provide valuable opportunities for multidisciplinary learning and scholarly engagement. Serving as Vice Chair would be both an honor and a privilege, and I am eager to contribute my experience, enthusiasm, and dedication toward advancing the committee’s mission while fostering meaningful collaborations across the Society.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving and contributing to the future success of the Radiosurgery Society.
Secretary Candidate: Yoonsun Jee, MD
Yoonsun Jee, MD is a rising PGY-5 radiation oncology resident at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She completed her bachelors degree in Chemistry with concentration in Biochemistry at Wake Forest University and obtained her medical degree at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She subsequently completed her intern year at University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Yoonsun currently serves as the current RSS Resident Executive Committee Member. She has previously moderated Mentoring in Minutes session at the 2026 RSS Scientific Meeting and hosted an RSS webinar on the treatment of AVM, featuring Dr. Dade Lunsford from University of Pittsburgh. Yoonsun is the resident lead for RSS Sarcoma SBRT white paper and is involved in numerous other RSS white paper initiatives, including prostate re-irradiation SBRT and cardiac SBRT.
Yoonsun previously gave an oral presentation at the 2025 RSS Scientific Meeting on utilizing adaptive MR-guided and CT-guided SBRT for locally recurrent prostate cancer, and presented a complex case on using MR-guided adaptive SBRT for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in segment II of the liver. She remains dedicated to advancing the field of radiosurgery through her involvement in RSS through research and mentorship.
Executive Committee Member Candidate: Alexis Rafael Narváez-Rojas, MD
As a radiation oncology resident at Maimonides Medical Center with previous training in General Surgery and Breast Surgical Oncology, I have come to deeply appreciate the collaborative, multidisciplinary nature of cancer care. I am applying for the Resident Executive Committee Member position because I am eager to actively serve our resident community, learn from my peers, and contribute to the educational mission of the Radiosurgery Society.
My transition from the surgical suite to radiation oncology has given me a unique perspective on the intersection of local treatments. While I am continually learning and growing in my own practice, I hope to bring this dual-specialty perspective to the committee to support our shared educational initiatives. I am passionate about how SRS/SBRT is evolving and want to help make these complex, advancing therapies as accessible and engaging as possible for all trainees.
I envision SBRT to be a precise form of delivering treatment for non-surgical candidates and the next best ablative therapy beyond the prostate. If selected to serve on the Residents Executive Committee, my goals are to:
- Support Multidisciplinary Learning: Assist the committee in developing educational programming that bridges the perspectives of surgical, medical, and radiation oncology, helping residents contextualize radiosurgery within the broader treatment landscape.
- Foster Peer Engagement: Work alongside fellow committee members to create welcoming networking and mentorship opportunities, ensuring residents feel connected and supported throughout their training.
- Contribute to Innovation Initiatives: Help organize activities and discussions around advancing technologies in our field.
I would be honored to contribute my time, energy, and clinical background to the RSS Resident Executive Committee, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve this community.
Executive Committee Member Candidate: Caroline Oska, MD
I am excited to submit my nomination for the RSS Resident Executive Member Committee. RSS has been an invaluable educational, research, and networking resource to me throughout my residency. I’d be honored to contribute to this organization’s resident community.
During my training, I’ve witnessed a rapidly evolving oncology landscape, which is undoubtedly promoted by the growing application of SRS/SBRT. This, combined with my growing knowledge in radiation and cancer biology, has inspired me to lead two of my current research projects: SBRT for spine metastases, and the evaluation/management of radiation necrosis, the latter which is a multi-institutional collaboration with fellow RSS members. These projects have allowed me to appreciate the educational and innovative network RSS provides.
Most importantly, I’m passionate about resident collaboration and engagement in our field. As a Resident Executive Committee Member, I will be an advocate for other RSS residents and create a sense of teamwork and community that we can carry with us throughout our careers.
Executive Committee Member Candidate: Emily Smith, MD
I am currently finishing my PGY-3 year of radiation oncology at Stanford, and throughout the past two years of residency, I have developed a considerable interest in radiosurgery as both a clinical discipline and an active field of research. My own research has focused on expanding the applications of stereotactic radiosurgery, including its role in the treatment of spinal arteriovenous malformations and its use for benign conditions in pediatric and young adult patients. These experiences have reinforced my belief that SRS is an extremely dynamic and impactful treatment for many malignant and benign conditions, which has fueled my desire to contribute to the broader radiosurgery community through the Radiosurgery Society.
My interest in the Radiosurgery Society stems from its emphasis on collaboration and education across career stages, emphasizing the mentorship and guidance for residents. I am an advocate for peer-driven teaching as it not only helps deepen our own understanding of concepts by challenging us to step into the educator role, but it also fosters meaningful connections with mentors who provide guidance in these endeavors. The resident-led workshops within the RSS embody this philosophy and is a great opportunity for its members. Additionally, the research efforts through this society, notably the RSS patient registry, is a powerful avenue for advancing our understanding of radiosurgery outcomes, and I am eager to help promote resident engagement with this resource.
At Stanford, I have led a quality improvement team within our hospital's safety council, a role that requires coordinating across disciplines with physicians, hospital leadership, and patients. Through this, I have learned how to bridge perspectives, build consensus, and translate findings into meaningful action, which are skills I would bring directly to committee work within the RSS.
If selected to the Resident Executive Committee, my goal would be to strengthen the connections between residents across programs and further expand opportunities for residents to participate in collaborative research and connect with mentors. I would be honored to serve on the Resident Executive Committee, and I look forward to working alongside fellow residents and RSS leadership to continue building a strong and connected community of residents enthusiastic about radiosurgery education, research, and patient care.
Executive Committee Member Candidate: Shumaila Saad, MD, MS
I am a PGY-3 Radiation Oncology resident at Montefiore Medical Center with a longstanding academic and clinical interest in stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and the advancement of precision radiation oncology. Throughout my career, I have pursued opportunities in clinical research, education, and leadership aimed at improving outcomes for patients with cancer.
My interest in SRS began through extensive neuro-oncology and brain metastases research at Columbia University. As a clinical research coordinator and research volunteer in the Department of Radiation Oncology, I contributed to multiple studies evaluating Gamma Knife radiosurgery and multimodality treatment approaches for brain metastases. This work resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications and national presentations focused on local control, survival outcomes, neurocognitive effects of radiation, and the integration of targeted therapies with stereotactic radiation. These experiences established a strong foundation in high-precision radiation therapy and reinforced my commitment to advancing evidence-based stereotactic treatments.
During residency, I have expanded my research focus to thoracic malignancies and advanced radiation treatment strategies. My recent work includes an oral presentation at ASTRO 2026, “Risk-Adapted Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced NSCLC: Pooled Analysis of Two Prospective Trials,” and a presenting-author abstract at the 2025 IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer examining patterns of in-field failure leading to proton re-irradiation in NSCLC. These projects reflect my interest in treatment personalization, adaptive radiotherapy, proton therapy, and optimizing local control while minimizing toxicity. I am particularly interested in the continued evolution of SBRT and image-guided treatment approaches that expand the therapeutic potential of stereotactic radiation.
Prior to residency, I held progressively responsible research positions at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center, including Senior Clinical Research Coordinator and Data Manager roles. These experiences allowed me to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage complex clinical datasets, and contribute to the successful execution and dissemination of clinical research, strengthening my leadership, organizational, and collaborative skills.
Education and mentorship have also been important aspects of my career. As an instructor at Nishtar Medical Hospital, I taught healthcare students about disease prevention, prenatal care, family planning, and healthcare delivery in underserved communities. I continue to value opportunities to teach and mentor medical students and junior trainees, recognizing education as a vital component of advancing our specialty and fostering the next generation of radiation oncologists.
My academic training, including an Executive MS in Epidemiology from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, has strengthened my ability to critically evaluate evidence and contribute to clinically meaningful research. I remain committed to professional development, scientific inquiry, and lifelong learning within radiation oncology.
As a member of the RSS Resident Executive Committee, I hope to contribute to resident education, mentorship, and trainee engagement while helping promote research collaboration and professional development opportunities in SRS and SBRT. I would welcome the opportunity to assist with educational programming, resident-focused initiatives, scientific meeting activities, and outreach efforts that strengthen connections among trainees with shared interests in stereotactic radiation therapy. Through this role, I hope to contribute meaningfully to the RSS mission while continuing to grow as a future leader in radiation oncology.
Executive Committee Member Medical Physics Candidate: Keyur D. Shah, PhD
I am honored to apply for the Medical Physics Committee Member position on the 2026–2027 RSS Resident Executive Committee.
I am currently a medical physics resident in the CAMPEP-accredited Medical Physics Residency Program within the Department of Radiation Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine. I began my residency training in July 2024 and am expected to complete the program in June 2027.
My clinical and research interests focus on stereotactic radiotherapy, treatment planning, image guidance, quality assurance, adaptive radiotherapy, and emerging applications of high-precision radiation therapy. My recent work includes proton-based SBRT for prostate cancer, evaluation of interfractional variation in hypofractionated treatment regimens, deformable image registration assessment, knowledge-based planning, and data-driven approaches for treatment personalization. I have also led projects evaluating proton and photon therapy for ventricular tachycardia and developing planning frameworks for stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation.
I am particularly interested in SRS and SBRT because these treatments require close coordination between clinical judgment, technical precision, and robust quality assurance. High dose per fraction, steep dose gradients, and tight margins make stereotactic radiotherapy an area where medical physics has a direct and meaningful impact on treatment safety and patient outcomes.
As a candidate for the RSS Resident Executive Committee, I hope to represent the perspective of medical physics residents and contribute to resident education, mentorship, networking, and scientific programming within the Society. I am actively involved in AAPM, including service through the Students and Trainees Subcommittee, the Machine Intelligence Subcommittee, and the Science Council Associates Mentorship Program, for which I was selected as an awardee. These experiences have strengthened my interest in trainee-focused education, professional development, mentorship, and service.
I would be excited to bring this perspective to RSS, help strengthen resident engagement, and support multidisciplinary collaboration among residents, physicists, physicians, and other members of the radiosurgery community.
Executive Committee Member Medical Physics Candidate: Luis Gomez, MS
My name is Luis Gomez, and I am a Therapeutic Medical Physics Resident at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center. I was first introduced to the Radiation Surgery Society (RSS) at the beginning of my residency through a co-resident, and since then I have developed a strong appreciation for the organization's mission and contributions to the field of stereotactic radiosurgery.
Throughout my residency, I have discovered a particular passion for SRS. Through my clinical involvement in SRS treatments, including treatment planning, quality assurance, and multidisciplinary collaboration, I have become increasingly interested in advancing the safe and effective delivery of stereotactic treatments. These experiences have reinforced my desire to pursue a career with a strong focus on SRS.
One of the aspects of RSS that most appeals to me is its emphasis on collaboration among professionals across institutions and disciplines. I have always valued opportunities to learn from others and believe that sharing knowledge and experiences ultimately leads to better patient care and professional growth. The ability to collaborate with fellow residents, physicists, physicians, and other members of the SRS community is something I greatly look forward to.
I am interested in serving as a committee member because I believe I can make meaningful contributions while continuing to learn from leaders in the field. As a resident actively involved in clinical SRS cases, I can offer a unique trainee perspective and a strong commitment to advancing the goals of the society. I would be honored to contribute my time, energy, and enthusiasm to RSS and hope to make a lasting positive impact on the organization and the SRS community.
Executive Committee Member Medical Physics Candidate: Eduardo Antonia Cisternas Jiménez, PhD
I am pleased to apply for the Medical Physics Committee Member position on the 2026–2027 RSS Residents Executive Committee. As a Medical Physics Resident at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, I have developed a strong appreciation for the role that medical physicists play in ensuring the safe, accurate, and effective delivery of advanced radiation therapy.
I am particularly interested in this position because SRS/SBRT requires close collaboration among medical physicists, radiation oncologists, dosimetrists, therapists, and trainees. Through my residency, I have been exposed to key aspects of clinical medical physics, including treatment planning, patient-specific quality assurance, machine QA, brachytherapy, radiation safety, and workflow improvement. These experiences have motivated me to become more involved in educational and professional initiatives that help residents understand the technical and clinical foundations of high-precision radiotherapy.
In addition to my clinical training, my background has been shaped by international education, research, teaching, and leadership experiences. I have trained in Chile, Germany, and the United States, and these experiences have helped me value collaboration, mentorship, and the importance of creating accessible educational opportunities for trainees from different backgrounds. My prior leadership work at Duke and my participation in the AAPM International Council Associates Mentorship Program have further strengthened my commitment to service, education, and professional development.
If selected, I would be honored to contribute to the RSS Residents Executive Committee by supporting resident engagement, educational programming, and initiatives that highlight the medical physics perspective in radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy. I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve the RSS resident community, learn from colleagues across radiation oncology, and help advance the mission of RSS.