Clinical Corner: Meet Dr. Mohammad Al-Jundi

Mohammad Al-Jundi, MD, joined the NIH in 2019 as a clinical fellow in the NIH Inter-Institute Endocrinology Training Program. After attending medical school in his home country at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Dr. Al-Jundi completed his internal medicine residency at Georgetown University – Washington Hospital Center program. His research focuses on thyroid cancer, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance.

We asked Dr. Al-Jundi a few questions about his research and interests to get to know the person behind the degree. Introducing Dr. Al-Jundi:

What influenced you to go into endocrinology?

I made that decision during medical school because I was fascinated with the physiology of endocrine system and the interaction between between hormones and their effects on the human body.

What led you to the NIH—why did you choose to do your fellowship here?

During my internal medicine residency, I had many interactions with NIH trained physicians who were very capable and experienced. My conversations with them and the opportunities offered by NIH played an important role in making my decision to join the NIH.

What are your specific research interests?

I am interested in thyroid gland related disease specifically thyroid cancer. I am fortunate to have great mentors, Dr. Joanna Klubo-Gwiezdzinska at the NIH and Dr. Kenneth Burman from Medstar Washington Hospital Center.

Are you working on any clinical trials right now?

In one of my ongoing projects, we study the relationship between pregnancy and thyroid cancer to understand the effect of pregnancy on thyroid cancer patients’ survival. In another project, we study the effects of lutetium Lu 177 dotatate treatment on different endocrine organs’ function. We are also collaborating with Medstar Washington Hospital Center on a project, studying the molecular signature of aggressive papillary thyroid cancer.

What is your most memorable experience so far while at the NIH?

I have had many great experiences at the NIH, but the most memorable is an interaction with the family of a young patient who had a complex medical history and presented to NIH with newly diagnosed thyroid cancer. She had surgery to remove her thyroid gland at NIH, which cured her cancer.

The management of her different medical problems was challenging, but the interdisciplinary collaboration of the different medical teams led to a great outcome. The patient and her family left the Clinical Center very grateful for the care provided by us.

Do you have any hobbies outside of your research and medical work?

I love nature and enjoy outdoor activities with my friends and family. I also play soccer and tennis regularly.