Dr. Markus Bredel, M.D., Ph.D., and Jacob Rojymon, M.D., FRCR, MBAUAB Department of Radiation Oncology Professors Markus Bredel, M.D., Ph.D., and Rojymon Jacob, M.D., FRCR, MBA, recently announced they will step into chair positions at the University of Miami and the University of Mississippi, respectively, on Aug. 1, 2024.

Bredel joined the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology in 2010 and is a graduate of the UAB Radiation Oncology Residency Program. At UAB, he served as the Director of Functional Brain Radiosurgery and Head of Brain Tumor Research in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Deputy Associate Director for Translational Research at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. He was appointed the Sharon A. Spencer Distinguished Endowed Chair in Translational Radiation Oncology in 2017.

Bredel succeeds Alan Pollack, M.D., Ph.D., as chair in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University Of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and the University of Miami Health System.

“Bredel’s nationally acclaimed research as a physician scientist at UAB has contributed greatly to the understanding of brain tumor genetics, particularly glioma,” said UAB Department of Radiation Oncology Chair James A. Bonner, M.D.

“He has been a pioneer in advanced radiosurgery for brain metastases and movement disorders and was a key member of our CNS group. We know that this is a terrific opportunity for him to advance our field further and congratulate him on his new leadership position.”

Jacob joined the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology in 2006 and was actively involved in setting up multidisciplinary clinics and Tumor Boards for various gastrointestinal sites. He was also an early leader for the department’s outreach program. At UAB, he was also a scholar in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) and a scientist in the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Jacob will transfer his expertise in the treatment of complex gastrointestinal malignancies to his new position as chair at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Radiation Oncology, following the retirement of chair Srinivasan Vijayakumar, M.D., in 2023.

“During Dr. Jacob’s time at UAB, he has been an important leader in the management of gastrointestinal malignancies working with our partners in medical oncology and surgery,” Bonner said. “He has led our efforts regarding the implementation of SBRT for gastrointestinal malignancies and with his colleagues created an intensive CME course in gastrointestinal malignancies. He will undoubtedly advance our field with similar endeavors in his new position. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Jacob.”