A Fellowship Built on Mentorship and Discovery

For more than two decades, the Duke–Bracco Rendon C. Nelson Radiology Fellowship Program has stood as a distinctive model for cultivating the next generation of academic radiologists. Established at Duke University Medical Center and supported by Bracco through an unrestricted educational grant, the fellowship was created with a clear and deliberate goal: to provide promising young radiologists with the mentorship, resources, and protected time needed to launch successful academic careers.

The program’s origins are deeply personal. Dr. Rendon C. Nelson conceived the fellowship as a response to his own early career experience when structured mentorship was limited. Rather than allowing young faculty to navigate academia independently, he envisioned a program that would actively prepare fellows for academic success by equipping them with the research experience, confidence, and professional grounding required to advance quickly once they completed training. From its earliest days, the fellowship was designed to be immersive, intentional, and transformative.

Dr. Erik Paulson, Chair of Duke Radiology, describes the fellowship as a natural extension of Duke’s culture of mentorship. Within the department, there is a shared belief that academic success carries an obligation to support the next generation. The Nelson Fellowship formalizes that commitment, creating a framework where mentorship is not incidental but central to the fellow experience.

That philosophy is reinforced through Bracco’s enduring partnership with Duke. As Cosimo DePinto, EVP of Bracco Americas, has shared, this partnership reflects something bigger than collaboration alone, it represents Bracco’s longstanding commitment to education and to the future of medical imaging. The fellowship is not viewed simply as a sponsorship, but as a shared investment in identifying and nurturing future leaders in radiology. For more than twenty years, that trust between Duke Radiology and Bracco has enabled the program to evolve while remaining true to its original mission.

Academically, the fellowship benefits from Duke’s uniquely collaborative environment. Radiology at Duke is characterized by close integration between clinical practice, research, and medical physics, allowing fellows to work with advanced imaging technologies while gaining a deep understanding of how innovation translates into patient care. Dr. Ehsan Samei, Duke’s Chief Imaging Physicist, emphasizes that radiology thrives at the intersection of technology and biology, and the fellowship intentionally embraces both. Fellows are encouraged to think broadly, integrating scientific rigor with clinical relevance.

Dr. Rajan Gupta, Clinical Vice Chair of the Department, further emphasizes the fellowship’s role in shaping academic identity and ambition. He describes the program as an opportunity for young radiologists to experience the very best of academic medicine, working closely with mentors who have followed similar paths while gaining insight into what an academic career can become. Beyond technical training, he notes that the fellowship is designed to broaden perspective, spark curiosity, and help fellows envision possibilities they may not have previously considered.

Access to cutting-edge technology is paired with meaningful guidance. Dr. Daniele Marin, Associate Professor of Radiology, Fellowship Program Director and himself a former fellow, notes that innovation in radiology requires not only tools, but also thoughtful optimization and interdisciplinary collaboration. Fellows work closely with faculty and physicists to refine imaging protocols, explore new applications, and push research beyond replication toward genuine advancement. Just as importantly, fellows are fully integrated into the division and treated as colleagues and contributors rather than outsiders.

For the fellows, this environment translates into accelerated growth. Former fellow, and now a faculty member at Harvard, Dr. Fides Schwartz highlights the program’s progressive responsibility model, which allows fellows to build independence gradually while maintaining strong mentorship and support. This balance fosters confidence, clinical maturity, and readiness for leadership.

Dr. Antonella del Gaudio’s experience reflects the program’s global dimension. Coming to Duke from abroad, she encountered an inclusive, supportive research environment that encouraged independence from the outset. Her work in abdominal MR imaging allowed her to contribute to multiple projects, expand her professional network, and establish a strong academic foundation. Equally impactful was the personal growth that came from working in a new country and culture, an experience she describes as pivotal to her development as both a physician and researcher.

Current fellow Dr. Douglas da Cunha Khalil echoes many of these themes. He describes the fellowship as a true partnership: Duke provides intellectual rigor and academic mentorship, while Bracco enables access to the tools and resources necessary to pursue ambitious research. Under close guidance, he is developing not only as a researcher but also as an academic radiologist with a clear career trajectory.

Collectively, these experiences underscore the enduring value of the Duke–Bracco Rendon C. Nelson Radiology Fellowship Program. It is a fellowship defined not by a single subspecialty or technology, but by its ability to cultivate thoughtful, well-prepared academic radiologists who are equipped to lead, mentor, and innovate on a global stage.

For young radiologists seeking a unique, immersive academic experience grounded in mentorship, discovery, and international collaboration, the Duke–Bracco Rendon C. Nelson Radiology Fellowship offers a proven pathway. Interested candidates are encouraged to learn more by contacting Program Director, Dr. Daniele Marin for additional information.