Carmen Tong, D.O., associate professor in the UAB Department of Urology, has been accepted into the 2026–2027 Surgical Education Research Fellowship (SERF), a national program offered through the Association for Surgical Education (ASE) to advance research skills, curriculum development, and innovation in surgical training.
Tong was selected from a highly competitive applicant pool for the year‑long fellowship, which combines structured workshops, research mentorship, journal clubs, and national presentations to support emerging leaders in surgical education research.
“I'm grateful to be part of the SERF program, which will allow me to grow as an educator and learn how we can better train the next generation of surgeons,” she said. “With support from the HSF General Endowment Fund and the Department of Urology, I’m excited to build collaborations across various disciplines—including the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine—to explore new ideas and advance education research in urology in a meaningful, practical way.”
Established in 1993, SERF is recognized as one of the leading programs in surgical education, designed to prepare investigators to plan, implement, and report robust educational research studies. Fellows are paired with experienced mentors and join a national network of peers committed to advancing the science of surgical education.
Tong plans to apply the fellowship experience to curriculum development for UAB Urology’s robotic training initiative, with an emphasis on study design, implementation, and measurable learner outcomes.
By fostering cross‑institution collaboration, SERF equips participants to design and disseminate research that improves surgical training. Tong’s selection reflects UAB Urology’s commitment to evidence‑based education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous improvement in resident training and patient care.
Tong will begin the fellowship with workshops at the ASE Annual Meeting in April 2026 and will present research progress at the SERF Forum in April 2027.