Doneal Bromberg Receives Prestigious ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship

“Receiving the ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship is an incredible honor,” says Bromberg. “This opportunity provides a structured program to deepen both my clinical and research exposure to radiation oncology while continuing to work closely with my mentor, Nikol Mladkova-Suchy, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of radiation medicine, who has already played a major role in my medical school journey. Extending this mentorship through the fellowship will help me better understand how research findings inform treatment decisions, while also broadening my exposure to professional opportunities within radiation oncology.”

“Doneal is an exceptionally motivated and meticulous student with a strong interest in translational oncology,” says Dr. Mladkova-Suchy. “This fellowship provides a valuable opportunity to use computational analysis of clinically generated methylation array data to explore new research questions, and I’m excited to see the impact of his work.”

Bromberg’s research project will focus on medulloblastoma, a malignant embryonal brain tumor that primarily affects young children but also occurs in teenagers and young adults.  “Although rare, adult medulloblastoma remains understudied, and treatments are typically modeled after pediatric protocols," he says. “Recent studies suggest that adult and pediatric medulloblastomas may differ clinically and molecularly. Therefore, a deeper understanding of age-related molecular differences could redefine diagnostic classifications and develop targeted therapies.”

Bromberg generated preliminary data for his research last summer through his participation in the New York Medical College Neuroscience Summer Research Program.  “We have already demonstrated statistically significant age-related differences among medulloblastoma subtypes, and the next step is to compare their epigenetic profiles, particularly DNA methylation patterns,” he explains.  

The opportunity to participate in the fellowship has only deepened Bromberg’s already strong interest in the field. “Radiation oncology as a specialty is especially compelling because it offers patients options that can complement or sometimes replace surgery during the most terrifying times of their lives,” he says. “The field also combines advanced technologies such as image-guided radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and particle therapy that I find fascinating. This blend of technology, biology, and patient-centered care aligns with my interests in medicine and the future doctor I wish to become.”