The Value of Training with the Lab | Emory School of Medicine

Carlotta Onnis, MD

Visiting Fellow 2023-2024

As my research fellowship at Emory University comes to an end, I want to express my deepest gratitude for this enriching and transformative experience. Joining the Translational Lab for Cardiothoracic Imaging and Artificial Intelligence has been a privilege, allowing me to develop research skills, delve into the healthcare application of AI, and contribute to the advancement of the field. Most importantly, during my time in the lab I had the opportunity to collaborate with brilliant minds and participate in a vibrant academic environment.

The support and encouragement from my mentors and colleagues have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of my knowledge. After this research fellowship I have added to my clinical experience a range of new research skills, from critical thinking to scientific writing, from creating study protocols for IRB approval to collecting and analyzing data. If there is one lesson that I have learned from all these skills, it is that research is always a team effort, and here at Emory University I truly felt part of the team.

The Research Division of the Department of Radiology strives to connect all the labs and to keep everyone updated on each other’s projects. Research In Progress Seminars are one of the many examples of this effort. I really appreciated attending RIPS, a dedicated time and place in which collaboration among researchers is facilitated and the latest advancements in radiology are shared and discussed. It has been a great way to broaden my horizons and keep myself updated on the fast-changing landscape of imaging.

As I transition back to clinical duties, I carry with me the invaluable lessons gained here, with the awareness that they will make me a better physician. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a dynamic and supportive community. The connections I have formed will, and already have, influenced my future career, as I will be pursuing the alternate pathway for American Board of Radiology certification here at Emory University.

Thank you all for making this journey memorable. I am looking forward to starting this new chapter in my career.