UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO)
recognized eight faculty members who graduated from cohort 8 of the SAIL (Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead) program for spring 2026. The program supports junior faculty as they develop authentic leadership approaches, strengthen professional networks, and navigate the unique challenges of early academic careers.
The SAIL Program, a junior faculty leadership initiative, offers a focused development opportunity for a small cohort of assistant professors. Designed to help participants address the complexities of academic medicine, the program emphasizes self-awareness, leadership communication, and community-building. Offered each fall and spring, SAIL equips faculty with the tools and confidence to grow as educators, researchers, clinicians, and institutional leaders.
The spring 2026 SAIL graduates include:
• Stefania Carmona, M.D. – Assistant Professor, Medicine: Infectious Disease
• Felix Guerra Castanon, M.D. – Assistant Professor, Neurology
• Kelly Palmer, Ph.D., MS – Assistant Professor, Medicine: GIMPOP
• Jordan Perchik, M.D. – Director of Access & Engagement, Diagnostic Radiology
• Junaid Raja, M.D., MSPH, MS – Program Director, Integrated Interventional Radiology
• Nirupama (Niru) Singh, M.D., Ph.D. – Apheresis Collection Director, Pathology
• HaoSheng Sun, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology (CDIB)
• Jonathan Roth, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Neurobiology
“I can happily say that it was a really valuable experience learning how to better work with different people, network with other leaders, and help me understand my own motivations,” said Jonathan Roth, Ph.D.
These faculty members reflect the innovation, collaboration, and commitment to excellence that define UAB’s academic community. Their participation in SAIL highlights the institution’s ongoing investment in developing the next generation of leaders in medicine and science.
Congratulations to the spring 2026 SAIL graduates on this important milestone and their continued contributions to advancing education, research, and patient care.