RSNA Member Spotlight: Pedro V. Staziaki, MD
Learn more about a fellow RSNA member
Pedro V. Staziaki, MD, is a cardiothoracic radiologist at the University of Vermont (UVM) Medical Center in Burlington, and an assistant professor at the Larner College of Medicine at UVM. He is from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, and attended medical school at Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), also in Curitiba.
After completing medical school, Dr. Staziaki spent two years as a research fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center in Boston. He completed his radiology residency and a thoracic imaging mini fellowship at Boston University. He also completed a fellowship in cardiovascular imaging at MGH.
An associate editor for Radiology: Artificial Intelligence and a member of the RadioGraphics review panel for cardiac imaging, Dr. Staziaki is interested in cardiac imaging, AI, preventive radiology and editorial activities. He is also a peer reviewer for RadioGraphics, Radiology: Artificial Intelligence, Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging and Radiology Advances.
What has been your best professional accomplishment?
It is difficult to think of an “accomplishment” since it is still relatively early in my career, and I feel I could still achieve considerably more. However, my best professional accomplishment might be being invited to be an associate editor for Radiology: Artificial Intelligence. I am grateful to Dr. Charles E. Kahn, the editor-in-chief, for the opportunity.
In the future, I aspire to contribute more to the field through my research and editorial activities and lead a research team or department. Being invited to participate in the RSNA RadioGraphics panel in cardiac imaging is also a huge privilege that I consider an achievement. I am deeply thankful to the editors for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our field through our Society.
I am also grateful for the RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award from the RSNA R&E Foundation and the resident research award I received from Boston University School of Medicine while in residency.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in building your career?
Being on a visa during my training (research fellowship, residency, clinical fellowship) and as an attending physician has been challenging. Our visas typically require yearly renewals, which need to be done abroad.
My wife is also a Brazilian physician pursuing a career in the U.S., so each step in our training has involved finding positions for both of us, including couple matching for residency, finding fellowships for us in Boston, and finding two visa-eligible attending jobs in the same geographic location.
Being away from friends and family in a different hemisphere is also challenging—my best friends live in Brazil and New Zealand. Regardless, I am thankful for being given the option to pursue a career in the U.S., where medical training is among the best in the world. I would not have done anything differently
What RSNA resources do you use to assist you with professional development and in your daily practice?
RSNA has been pivotal in my career at multiple points. The RSNA suite of journals is of the highest quality in our profession. I use RadioGraphics and the other RSNA journals very often. These resources have kept me updated with the latest research and developments in the field and provided valuable insights that have influenced my practice. I also took both the RSNA Imaging AI Certificate Foundational and Advanced courses, which have significantly enhanced my understanding and application of AI in radiology.
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your free time?
I find joy in reading and playing video games. I am reading more of J. R. R. Tolkien’s posthumous publications, such as “The Unfinished Tales.” I love playing on my PlayStation 5 and typically enjoy survival horror games such as Resident Evil or The Last of Us.
I only speak Portuguese and English fluently, but I am incredibly interested in languages and have been studying French for the past two years. Living close to Montreal, Quebec, makes it easy and fun to practice my basic-level French. Other pleasures include going to music concerts and traveling. My wife and I try to visit Quebec as often as possible and travel to different places every year. Finally, I enjoy a good cup of coffee and playing around with my espresso machine.
For More Information
Connect with Dr. Staziaki on social media:
- X @staziaki
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-staziaki