Guided by a deep devotion to her family and a passion for medicine, Julia Shi is driven to make a lasting impact in the field of radiation oncology. This second-year medical student is one step closer to reaching her goal after winning a $25,000 P.E.O. Scholar Award from P.E.O., a nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence and achievement of talented female scholars at the top of their fields.

Established in 1991, P.E.O. Scholar Awards are presented annually to women pursuing doctoral-level degrees in the U.S. and Canada who have great potential to positively influence society.

Ms. Shi was nominated by the P.E.O. Chapter EC in Dallas for her outstanding academic distinction, leadership, research, and involvement in community service. She currently works in the laboratory of Daniel Yang, M.D., Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, who leads a research group studying applications of artificial intelligence to clinical oncology.

“I am honored to be part of the P.E.O. community, where women motivate, educate, and celebrate each other,” Ms. Shi said. “This award recognizes the scholar as a whole person, focusing not just on grades, but on the values and impact recipients have in their communities. It encourages women to be well-rounded, compassionate leaders – something that resonates with me.”

Finding purpose

Ms. Shi’s interest in public health and medicine was inspired by her physician father and loved ones. She had just started high school when close family members were diagnosed with cancer. “In my family, cancer feels like almost a regular occurrence,” she said. “The scariest thing is that our story is not unique.”

Faculty mentors whom Ms. Shi credits with helping her earn the prestigious award include, at left, Daniel Yang, M.D., Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, and Alexandra Callan, M.D., Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, and, at right, Angela Mihalic, M.D., Dean of Medical Students, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Professor of Pediatrics.

After graduating from Rice University in 2023 with a B.A. in health sciences, she applied to UT Southwestern Medical School because of its strong reputation as a leader in science and medicine and its reputation in radiation oncology. “What drew me to UT Southwestern was a mix of strong mentorship, shared values, and a drive to keep growing – the kind of environment that mattered to me as a learner,” she said.

Ms. Shi plans to devote her career to cancer care and expanding radiation treatment to more people.

“During my time at Rice, I learned that radiation remains the most accessible cancer treatment option, but even this is still limited. Many countries throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Asia have only one radiation treatment machine per 5 million people,” she said. “I am especially interested in using new technologies and workflows such as artificial intelligence contouring and remote treatment planning to improve the efficiency of current treatment methods and allow doctors to spend more time where it matters most – with patients.”

Fueling discovery and hope

Dr. Yang described Ms. Shi as a highly talented medical student poised to make a global impact. As a first- and second-year student, she presented her data science research on prostate cancer care at several national oncology conferences. Additionally, she has published as an author in top radiation oncology journals, including two first-author articles in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics: Dosimetric Advantages of Online Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Results From a Prospective Registry Study and Socioeconomic Barriers to Randomized Clinical Trial Retention in Patients Treated with Adjuvant Radiation for Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

Ms. Shi works in the lab of Dr. Yang, left, who studies applications of artificial intelligence to clinical oncology.

“At this point in her career, Ms. Shi is already working diligently on original investigations that are clinically innovative and impactful, reflecting her deep commitment to advancing cancer care,” Dr. Yang said. “These efforts highlight her ability to identify critical issues, lead team research efforts, and find solutions that improve patient outcomes.”

Ms. Shi is grateful for Dr. Yang’s mentorship, which has played a major role in shaping her research skills. “Dr. Yang is an incredibly invested mentor who has given me the chance to learn every part of the research workflow, from developing ideas to data analysis to publication,” she said.

In addition to her research, Ms. Shi currently serves as President of the Radiation Oncology Student Interest Group at UTSW. She is also a leader on UTSW’s Liaison Committee on Medical Education Independent Student Analysis Committee, Membership Chair of the American Medical Association Medical Student Section, and a trainee member of the Adaptive Radiation Therapy Workgroup through NRG Oncology. She volunteers regularly with Sarcoma Strong Dallas to support cancer patients and at UTSW student-run free clinics.

Angela Mihalic, M.D., Dean of Medical Students, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Professor of Pediatrics, said Ms. Shi joins a growing list of distinguished P.E.O. Scholar Award recipients from UT Southwestern.

“She has the intellectual capability, drive, personal qualities, and compassion necessary to become a superb physician and role model and will be a wonderful ambassador for the P.E.O. community in the future,” Dr. Mihalic said.