Rising Star Award

The RSNA Rising Star Award recognizes early-career radiologists with outstanding contributions to the field of radiology education, including local, regional, and national teaching and education administration.

The 2026 nomination cycle is open! Submit a self-nomination by Jan. 30 and take the opportunity to showcase your work, create new connections, gain mentorship and become a rising star. Or nominate a colleague to help us celebrate their exceptional leadership.

Submit a self-nomination Nominate a colleague

2025 Rising Star Awardees

Explore the award-winning work of the 2025 awardees in EdCentral:

Francis Deng, MD
Ariadne K. DeSimon, MD, MPH
Adriano Basso Dias, MD, MSc
Kevin Fung, MBBS, FRCR, FHKCR, EBIR (Hong Kong, China)
Prasaanthan Gopee-Ramanan, HBSc, RTR, MD, FRCPC
Mark Jeffrey Hoegger MD, PhD
Khushboo Jhala, MD, MBA
Maya Grisaru Kacen, MD, MBA
Niraj Nirmal Pandey, MD, DM (New Delhi, India)
Justin Ruey Tse, MD

Award eligibility

The award serves as an opportunity of recognition for early-career radiologists to be honored for the work they are contributing to the field of radiology.

Nominees must be RSNA members and no more than 5 years post residency.

Award criteria

Nominees must demonstrate sustained commitment to advancing radiology education in the following areas:

Community engagement
Leadership
Education administration
Speaking engagements
Volunteering within RSNA committees
Private practice administration
Leadership roles within hospitals
Leadership skills and leadership development
Involvement in community education engagement and curriculum development

Recognition

In an effort to support career development, award recipients receive:

An opportunity to participate in the Douglas W. MacEwan Rising Star Track*
Sponsorship from RSNA staff
Guidance on how to grow as an RSNA leader via speaking engagements and volunteer opportunities
Best practices for delivering presentations and serving as a volunteer
Their name and biography featured in RSNA EdCentral
Opportunities for consideration as faculty for RSNA education activities

*Award recipients are invited to contribute to the planning and presentation of sessions within the new Douglas W. MacEwan Rising Star Track at RSNA 2026.

With the support of a generous donation in honor of Douglas W. MacEwan, MD (a past RSNA president), the track was established to help strengthen support of early-career radiologists and the development of these individuals as future educators in the field of radiology. Award recipients who participate in the Douglas W. MacEwan Rising Star Track are eligible for a travel stipend to attend RSNA 2026.

Submit a nomination

Submission deadline: Jan. 30, 2026