THE PENN RADIATION ONCOLOGY SPOTLIGHT
August 2025
As we are in the new Fiscal Year for Penn Medicine there are lots of promotion announcements and new position announcements. I want to congratulate all those that have been promoted by the University and everyone who has taken on additional roles and responsibilities! Our team is so impressive across the board! Thank you for your continued participation in the Spotlight…we have gone to monthly newsletters and it seems like there is more and more going on across the department. I have spoken a lot about the headwinds for academic medicine in regards to funding and federal support this year. We continue to form mitigation plans to support our education and research efforts. However, our team has done a fantastic job submitting grants and looking for alternative funding. On the clinical side, we had over 11,000 new patient start across our system, which is the largest number of patients we have ever treated. People continue to come to our facilities because of all the outstanding and personal care all of you deliver and contribute to excellence. As we have continued to invest in new and innovative technology, our team has applied these investments to help our patients in novel ways. Let’s make sure to continue to invest in our culture of quality, safety, and accountability so that we all succeed in what we do for our patients benefit. I hope you have a great rest of the Summer season!
Featured in the Media
Fox29
Neha Vapiwala, MD and Daniel Lee, MD were interviewed on Fox29 news discussing bladder cancer - symptoms, diagnosis and what treatments are available.
Penn Medicine Instagram
One of our patients recently shared his story on Penn Medicine's Instagram page. He mentions the RadOnc team at Radnor as integral parts of his treatment journey.
RadOnc in the PM Report
Medscape
Chemoradiation plus immunotherapy improved survival outcomes for patients with surgically removeable bile duct cancer. In an editorial accompanying the study, Edgar Ben-Josef, MD, noted that while the post-surgery combination therapy was shown to be an active regimen, the study still left unanswered questions that will need to be addressed in a phase 3 clinical trial.
While the use of radiation bridging therapy in CAR T cell therapy for blood cancer is expanding, plenty of unanswered questions remain on topics such as ideal timing and doses. The lack of guidelines has immediate clinical implications, said John P. Plastaras, MD, PhD, a professor of Radiation Oncology, in a presentation at the 18th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) 2025.
Penn Radiation Oncology on Social Media
Did you know that Penn Radiation Oncology and OncoLink are on social media? Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok! Check out some of the recent posts below:
Instagram - Penn Radiation Oncology
Instagram - Penn Radiation Oncology Residency Programs
Instagram - Penn Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Residency Program
Instagram - Penn Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Graduate Program
Instagram - OncoLink
Committee on Community Engagement
We invite you to visit the site regularly, as we continue to update resources, add information on ongoing initiatives, and expand educational materials.
PennCobalt provides mental health resources for Penn staff and faculty.
Have You Recognized Someone Today?
DON'T FORGET: You can recognize a colleague at any time by submitting the recognition form found at https://redcap.med.upenn.edu/surveys/?s=HPKUea (direct link is below). Bookmark this web page for easy access in the future!
If you would like a copy of the flyer with QR code for your work area, please email RadOnc_ACES@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Meet the Newest Members of Our Team!
Aishi Ayyanathan
Aishi Ayyanathan joins the department as a Clinical Research Coordinator. Previously, she worked as a research assistant at Baylor College of Medicine. Aishi earned her bachelor degrees in Biology and Sociology from Rice University. In her spare time, Aishi enjoys running, listening to music, and crocheting. You can reach Aishi at Aishi.Ayyanathan@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Theresa Clark
Theresa Clark joins the department as the Senior Therapy Manager for the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, overseeing our staff radiation therapists in CT and brachytherapy. In her role, Theresa will work alongside our two current Senior Therapy Managers, Karima Cooper and Angela Natale, to help lead and support the team at PCAM. Theresa has over 20 years of experience as a radiation therapist, and most recently held a Lead Radiation Therapist position with US Oncology/Alliance Specialists. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with my family and friends, going to the shore, and paddleboarding with her kids. You can reach Theresa at theresa.clark2@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Nicholas Molina
Nicholas Molina joins the department as a Clinical AI Developer. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science, where he studied Computer Science with a Concentration in Artificial Intelligence as a Mathematics major and Data Science minor. In his spare time, Nicholas enjoys fencing, playing the piano, and bouldering. You can reach Nicholas at molinan@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Odalis Reyes
Odalis Reyes joins the department as a Physicist at LGH. She earned her Masters of Medical Physics degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Originally from Guatemala, she enjoys coffee and fried plantains and has a cat named Oreo. You can reach Odalis at Odalis.Reyes@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Promotions
Congratulations to our colleagues who have demonstrated outstanding performance, dedication, and commitment to the department!
- Charlie Magee will become Director of Network Operations overseeing Chester County, Radnor, Valley Forge, Doylestown, PAH, Cherry Hill, Shore and Princeton.
- Nicole Marchesani, MHA will become Director of Division Administration for Protons overseeing PCAM, PPMC, LGH and Virtua.
- Christina McCrohan, MBA will become Director of Global Education and Patient Programs will manage both Global Education and Patient Engagement Programs.
- John McGlade, MS will become Chief Physicist at LGH
- Mason Riley will become Associate Director of Technical Programs , responsible for our project management team, capital projects and vendor relations.
Open Positions
Below are open job positions within the department. The job requisition ID number is in bold for reference.
Staff Open Positions
Please go to Careers.PennMedicine.org to see the full job posting for staff open positions.
- 280651 Registered Nurse RN Radiation Oncology - Lancaster, PA
- 277218 Dosimetrist Treatment Planner - Philadelphia, PA (Per Diem)
- 276958 Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Benign Treatment at PPMC - Philadelphia, PA
- 274944 Senior Manager Financial Operations - Philadelphia, PA
- 270453 PRN Rad Therapist - Philadelphia, PA (HUP) (Per Diem)
- 270451 Radiation Therapist - Philadelphia, PA
- 262401 Physicist - Lancaster, PA
- 257110 Accountant - Philadelphia, PA
- 273080 Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Philadelphia, PA
- 272325 Dosimetrist Treatment Planner - Philadelphia, PA
- 237634 PRN Rad Therapist – Philadelphia, PA (PAH) (Per Diem)
- 225098 Radiation Therapist NJS Eligible - Plainsboro, NJ (Per Diem)
Faculty Open Positions
Please click on the link below to view the full job description for faculty open positions on Workday.
- Penn Medicine Clinician - Cherry Hill (Job Requisition ID: JR00103891)
- Penn Medicine Clinician - Chester County (Job Requisition ID: JR00094977)
Appointments
Michelle Alonso-Basanta, MD, PhD
Michelle Alonso-Basanta, MD, PhD (affectionately known as "MAB") was promoted to Professor of Radiation Oncology on the Clinician Educator track.
Michelle earned both her medical degree and PhD from the New York University School of Medicine, where she also completed her Internship and Residency in Radiation Oncology. She joined our department as an Assistant Professor on the Clinician Educator track with the Central Nervous System (CNS) Disease site team and has since established herself as an integral leader within our department.
As Chief of the CNS service and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs since 2018, Michelle has focused her clinical expertise on the treatment of base of skull and spine malignancies. She has gained international recognition for her expertise in stereotactic radiosurgery, image-guided radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy, and proton radiotherapy, performing specialized Gamma Knife Radiosurgery and Cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy at PAH.
Michelle’s commitment to education is evident in her passionate mentorship of medical students, masters students, Radiation Oncology Residents, fellows, and undergraduate students. Her educational impact extends internationally through her initiatives hosting Spanish trainees to learn radiation oncology techniques within our department. As an active researcher, she leads innovative initiatives focused on adult brain and base of skull tumors, novel radiation techniques, neuropsychiatry, and multimodality approaches to cancer therapy—all aimed at improving patient outcomes and reducing treatment toxicity.
Through her outstanding patient care, research in CNS malignancies, operations leadership, and dedication to the education of future medical professionals, Michelle exemplifies the qualities of a true executive leader in the field of Radiation Oncology.
Theresa Busch, PhD
Theresa Busch, PhD has been appointed to the position of Vice Chair of Biology Research. Theresa has been an integral part of our department since joining in 2001 as a Research Assistant Professor. Her exceptional contributions and leadership have been recognized through her promotion to Full Professor in 2016, and through the progressive leadership responsibilities she has held throughout her tenure.
Since 2010, Theresa has served as the Associate Director of the Research Division, a role that will now be replaced by her new position as Vice Chair of Biology Research. In this expanded capacity, she will maintain her current responsibilities while taking on broader leadership and oversight of the Biology division. Theresa has also served as Vice Chair of Community Engagement since 2020, and while she will continue to play an active role in these initiatives, leadership in this area will transition to Gary Kao, MD, PhD, who will be appointed as the new Director of Community Engagement. Theresa will continue in her role as Education Officer, a position she has held since 2017.
As the Vice Chair of Biology and member of the Executive Leadership Team, Theresa will continue to work closely with Costas Koumenis, PhD (Vice Chair of Research) and deepen her partnerships across all areas of the department, contributing to our ongoing mission and vision. In her capacity as Vice Chair of Biology, she will lead initiatives to strengthen our biology research program, mentor junior faculty in biological sciences, and represent our biological research interests in cross-departmental and institutional collaborations. She will also collaborate with the Chief of Staff, COO, CFO, and all Vice Chairs to ensure alignment with our strategic plan, particularly in the areas of research resource allocation, faculty recruitment and retention in the biology research division, and implementation of new technologies that enhance our research capabilities. Theresa’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing our department's standing as a center of excellence in radiation biology research and strengthening our competitive position for funding opportunities.
Anish Butala, MD
Anish Butala, MD was appointed to the position of Chief of PCAM Clinical Operations for the Department of Radiation Oncology. Anish has been a valued member of our department since 2021, during which time he has served in progressively responsible leadership roles, including Chief of the Palliative Service, Director of the Spine Radiotherapy Program, and most recently as Associate Chief of Clinical Operations.
In his new role as Chief of PCAM Clinical Operations, Anish will have comprehensive oversight of day-to-day clinical operations at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, ensuring the highest quality of care and optimal staff organization. This role (reporting to the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs) encompasses comprehensive oversight of departmental clinical operations, including ensuring effective communication among the Chair, COO, and all operational stakeholders. As the Chief, Anish will provide leadership and represent our Department at critical operational forums such as the Operations Oversight Committee, Chair's Quality Control Committee, and QA/QI Meetings, while also establishing consistency across all processes and policies. Working in partnership with the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Anish will oversee clinical operations and implement process changes, while collaborating with cross-functional teams within the Department, UPHS, and the Cancer Center to inform strategic direction. Anish will continue to collaborate with physicians, medical physicists, residents, and technical staff to maintain operational excellence throughout the Department of Radiation Oncology. He will also continue to maintain his roles as Chief of the Palliative Service and Director of the Spine Radiotherapy Program.
Throughout his tenure, Anish has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our department and has been instrumental in advancing our operational excellence. His leadership, clinical expertise, and collaborative approach make him exceptionally qualified for this important role.
Michelle Gentile, MD, PhD
Dr. Michelle Gentile, MD, PhD has been promoted to Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology on the Academic Clinician track at Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH), effective July 1, 2025.
Michelle earned her PhD in Oncology from the University of Cambridge, Trinity College and her medical degree from Northwestern University. Her training continued with a Residency in Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and a Fellowship in Proton Therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Before joining Penn in January 2021, Michelle served as an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, where she held leadership roles as Director of the ACR Accreditation Committee and Co-Leader of the Head and Neck Disease Team.
Since joining our department, Michelle has been an invaluable asset to the team at Pennsylvania Hospital. She has demonstrated excellence in patient care with her clinical focus on head and neck cancers, while providing comprehensive support across all disease sites. Her commitment to advancing care is further exemplified through her service on the Penn Head and Neck Cancer Service Line Strategic Planning Committee and the Penn Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Quality of Life Committee since 2021.
Michelle stands out as a devoted educator, shaping the next generation of radiation oncologists through her supervision of Mock Oral boards and mentorship of residents rotating through PAH. She was appointed Residency Education Site Director at Pennsylvania Hospital for the 2023-2024 academic year, and her exceptional teaching was recognized with the prestigious Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) "Educator of the Year Award" in 2024.
This well-deserved promotion recognizes Michelle’s outstanding contributions to clinical excellence, education, and our departmental mission. Her expertise, leadership, and dedication continue to enhance our department's reputation for excellence in radiation oncology.
Alex Lin, MD
Alex Lin, MD has been appointed to the role of Executive Vice Chair for the Department of Radiation Oncology, effective immediately.
Alex has been a valuable member of our department since 2009, during which time he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in various roles, including Chief of the Head and Neck Service, Medical Director of the Roberts Proton Therapy Center, and Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs. As a member of our Executive Leadership Team, Alex has been instrumental in shaping strategic decisions and was a key contributor to our most recent strategic plan.
In his new role as Executive Vice Chair, Alex will continue to provide leadership over the Department's mission and plans for future development. He will have leadership oversight for clinical operations at PCAM and network sites, supervising the Vice Chairs of Network Operations and Clinical Affairs. Alex will also have the opportunity to implement changes across patient care, education, and research initiatives while partnering with the Chair, Vice Chairs and COO to evaluate growth opportunities. Working with the Chief of Staff, Alex will manage faculty development processes and collaborate with Research Vice Chairs to foster strategic partnerships and ensure effective stakeholder communication.
Alex's extensive experience and demonstrated commitment to excellence make him exceptionally qualified for this important leadership position. His appointment reinforces our department's continued focus on innovation, collaboration, and excellence in patient care.
John Nicholas ("Nick") Lukens, MD
John Nicholas ("Nick") Lukens, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology on the Clinician Educator track, effective July 1, 2025.
Nick has a distinguished history with the University of Pennsylvania, having earned his medical degree from our School of Medicine. He continued his training at Penn with an Internship at HUP and a Residency in Radiation Oncology in our Department. Following a fellowship in Brachytherapy at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, Nick returned to Penn as an Instructor of Radiation Oncology and Attending Physician on the Head and Neck service.
Throughout his tenure as an Assistant Professor on the Clinician Educator track, Nick has been an integral part of our Head and Neck Service, providing exceptional clinical care to our patients. His expertise has also been instrumental in growing our Cutaneous Oncology Service over the past few years. In 2022, Nick was appointed Chief of the Head and Neck disease site team at HUP and joined the HUP Head and Neck Executive Committee. His clinical expertise was further recognized with a secondary appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology.
As an educator, Nick has made an impact on residents, trainees, medical students, and mentees. His dedication to teaching has been nationally recognized by the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO), which has honored him twice with the prestigious "Teacher of the Year" and "Educator of the Year" awards.
Nick has also distinguished himself as a highly productive researcher, dedicating his work to advancing the multidisciplinary management of head and neck cancers. His research focuses on developing new strategies for understanding and reducing the side effects of head and neck radiotherapy, and he has published extensively on his findings.
Nick consistently demonstrates excellence as a physician, teacher, and researcher. His skills and leadership have earned him national recognition, and he will undoubtedly continue to make significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology.
Suneel Nagda, MD
Suneel Nagda, MD was promoted to Professor of Radiation Oncology on the Academic Clinician track, effective July 1, 2025.
Suneel has established himself as an outstanding clinician, educator, and leader throughout his tenure with us. He earned his medical degree with cum laude honors from the University of Maryland, followed by his Residency in Radiation Oncology at Loyola University Medical Center. After serving as an Instructor and later Assistant Professor at Loyola, Dr. Nagda joined our Department at the University of Pennsylvania in 2012 as an Assistant Professor on the Academic Clinician Track at Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH). He was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor in 2018.
At Pennsylvania Hospital, Suneel has built a successful clinical practice, with particular expertise in breast cancer and stereotactic radiotherapy. His commitment to education is evident through his active role in training medical residents and other trainees rotating through PAH.
Suneel’s leadership capabilities have been instrumental to our department's growth and success. Since 2018, he has served as the Chair of Radiation Oncology at Pennsylvania Hospital and Medical Director for the Radiation Oncology White Region, overseeing operations at PAH, Doylestown Hospital, and Grand View Health. His dedication to quality improvement has been exceptional; since 2022, Suneel has served as the Vice Chair for Quality and Safety in our Department. In this role, he leads numerous initiatives including daily patient huddles, peer review processes, Penn Chart results review, stereotactic radiosurgery procedures, QUEST (Quality and Excellence through Standardization), and efforts related to achieving national accreditation through ASTRO Apex.
As an executive-level leader in our Department, Suneel continues to make a positive impact on his colleagues, trainees, and patients. His promotion is a well-deserved recognition of his contributions and dedication to our field.
Kevin Teo, PhD
Kevin Teo, PhD has been promoted to the role of Professor of Radiation Oncology on the Clinician Educator track in the Medical Physics Division, effective July 1, 2025.
Kevin earned his PhD from the University of Michigan with a focus on Physics. His impressive career path includes positions as a postdoctoral research fellow at Michigan, a research associate at University of Maryland, and an associate specialist at University of California, San Francisco, followed by specialized training as a Medical Physics Resident at Stanford University. He joined our department at Penn in 2009 as an Assistant Professor in the Standing Faculty on the Clinician Educator track and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018.
Throughout his tenure at Penn, Kevin has made exceptional contributions to our Medical Physics division through his clinical expertise, educational leadership, and innovative research. His outstanding work has earned him the position of Vice Chair of Physics, where he oversees all aspects of the Medical Physics Division's mission. As a valued member of our Executive Leadership Team, he plays a crucial role in shaping our Department's mission and future development plans.
Kevin’s research excellence is evident in his continued productivity in the field of medical physics, particularly his groundbreaking work on cutting-edge imaging technologies that enhance accuracy and minimize uncertainties in proton range for proton therapy. His research has been published in high-impact journals, and he remains at the forefront of proton therapy research, especially in ultra-fast (FLASH) radiation treatment. Beyond his research accomplishments, Kevin has demonstrated dedication as a teacher and mentor to Medical Physics Residents and graduate students, taking on an increasingly significant role as a faculty mentor since his appointment as Vice Chair of Physics.
Conferences and Speakers
AI in Proton Therapy Webinar for NAPT
June 10, 2025
Rafe McBeth, PhD presented a webinar to the National Association for Proton Therapy about AI in Proton Therapy. He talked about how AI is transforming treatment planning, streamlining workflows, and expanding patient access through real-world applications for every stage of AI adoption.
Annual AAMD Meeting
June 16, 2025
Taelor Rivera, PCAM photon dosimetrist, presented "Exploring Partial Breast irradiation Treatment Tips and Techniques: Improving Plan Conformality" at the annual American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.
Empowering Future Leaders in Cancer Care: VR & AI for Transforming Cancer Care in LMICs
July 2 - 4, 2025
In Ghana, too many patients are diagnosed with cancer at advanced stages, when treatment options are limited and oncology specialists are scarce. This critical challenge stems not only from the rising disease burden but also from the lack of hands-on clinical training opportunities for local cancer care professionals.
To address this gap, Stephen Avery, PhD led a three-day capacity-building workshop titled: "Empowering Future Leaders in Cancer Care: VR & AI for Transforming Cancer Care in LMICs"
Held at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the workshop was co-led by Dr. Andrew Maidment, President-Elect of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and Chief of Physics for Radiology at Penn Medicine, and Nehemyah Green, a second-year medical physics graduate student at Penn.
The event brought together oncologists, physicists, trainees, and international partners for a dynamic program featuring:
- Live demonstrations of virtual reality (VR) training tools designed for low-resource settings
- Artificial intelligence (AI) workflow sessions focused on radiation treatment planning
- Strategic planning dialogues to advance local implementation and scale training across Ghana and West Africa
This initiative builds upon momentum generated at the Global Health Catalyst (GHC) Summit, where Dr. Avery serves as Co-Director. The GHC Summit is a premier platform for advancing equitable cancer care, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. The upcoming 2025 GHC Summit at MIT and Harvard, taking place this September, will highlight early outcomes from the Ghana workshop and explore opportunities for global expansion of VR- and AI-based oncology training. Learn more at www.globalhealthcatalystsummit.org
AAPM Annual Conference
July 27 - 30, 2025
2025 AAPM Arthur Boyer Award for Innovation in Medical Physics Education
Stephen Avery, PhD received the 2025 AAPM Arthur Boyer Award for Innovation in Medical Physics Education! Dr. Stephen Avery has been recognized as part of the winning team for the 2025 AAPM Arthur Boyer Award for Innovation in Medical Physics Education. The award honors the collaborative project titled: “Large Scale Deployment of a Tailored and Hybrid Educational Strategy for Wartime Capacity Building: AAPM/HUG/UAMP Initiative to Transition Ukraine from Co-60 to IMRT Through a Comprehensive Medical Physics Training Program.”
Dr. Avery is pictured with Dr. Nataliya Kovalchuk of Stanford University, who accepted the award on behalf of the team at the AAPM Annual Meeting. Dr. Kovalchuk also serves as a lecturer in Dr. Avery’s course, “Introduction to Global Oncology,” offered through the Medical Physics Graduate Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
This marks the second consecutive year that Dr. Avery has received the AAPM Arthur Boyer Award. In 2024, he was honored for the project: “Harmonizing Medical Physics Education in Nigeria through an Accredited Course: Experiences from a Pilot Program.”
Dr. Avery’s continued leadership and innovation in global medical physics education underscore his commitment to advancing equitable, high-quality cancer care worldwide, especially in regions facing critical healthcare and training challenges
Awards & Grants
Penn Center for Global Oncology Capacity Building Grant
Congratulations to Stephen Avery, PhD who received a 2025 Capacity Building Grant from the Penn Center for Global Oncology! These competitive awards support faculty-led initiatives aimed at strengthening cancer care, research, and training in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Dr. Avery’s grant will support virtual reality-based radiation oncology training in Ghana at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Komfo Anokey Teaching Hospital. This pilot program introduces immersive virtual reality (VR) technology to accelerate clinical training in gynecologic radiation oncology. The initiative will:
- Train two Ghanaian clinicians at an IAEA Anchor Centre using VR modules tailored for low-resource settings
- Establish VR training hubs at KBTH and KATH in Ghana with ongoing support from Penn faculty and engineers
- Host a national VR/AI Workshop in July 2025 to foster innovation and cross-sector collaboration
- Lay the foundation for a scalable model of oncology workforce development across West Africa
Dr. Avery’s work in Ghana extends to serving as a member of the board overseeing the development of a Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence there. He recently met with His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene (Ashanti King) and Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), one of Ghana’s largest universities with a total enrollment of approximately 85,000 students. During the meeting, His Majesty pledged his full support for the project and generously donated 52 acres of land for the development of the center.
FASTRO Fellowship
John Plastaras, MD, PhD was named one of the 2025 Fellows of the American Society for Radiation Oncology. The ASTRO Fellow designation, or FASTRO, honors members who have given significant volunteer service to the Society and contributed to the field of radiation oncology in the areas of research, education, patient care or leadership.
American Association of Physicists in Medicine Elections
Congratulations to the members of our department who were recently elected to leadership positions in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM):
- Dimitris Mihailidis, PhD - elected Board Member-at-Large for AAPM
- Jennifer Wei Zou, PhD - elected President Elect for the Delaware Valley Chapter (DVC) of the AAPM
- Ginny Lockamy, PhD, DABR - elected AAPM Board Representative for DVC of the AAPM
- Yun Yang, PhD - elected as Treasurer for the DVC of the AAPM
Penn Medicine CAREs Grant
Cordy Baffic received a Penn CAREs Grant of $2,200 to support her project, Creating Healthy Eating Habits for Senior Citizens
Milestones
The Social Work and Dietitian teams celebrated Neal Nizan, MSW, LCSW, who reached 25 years at Penn Medicine on August 1, 2025. The celebratory cake was made by Carly Zambino. Congratulations Neal on your 25th anniversary at Penn Medicine, and thank you for your dedication to our patients!
Reduce My Risk Tool in Spanish
OncoLink is excited to announce that the Reduce My Risk tool is now available in Spanish! Reduce My Risk is a free tool that can help you and your patients learn about factors that affect their cancer risk and ways to decrease their risk. The tool has a questionnaire that takes about 5 to 7 minutes to complete, and it provides a detailed report on things like what the user is doing right, modifiable risk factors, non-modifiable risk factors, and family history and genetic risks. Visit risk.oncolink.org to check it out!
Thank you, Linda Jefferson for all of your decorations, for holiday celebrations and season changes! In this newsletter we are highlighting Linda's decorations for Summer. Be sure to stop by and admire Linda's hard work the next time you are on the second floor of PCAM!
RadOnc at the Phillies
June 9, 2025
RadOnc faculty and staff, along with their friends and families, enjoyed a walk-off win against the Chicago Cubs!
PPMC nurses Kirsten Scher, Tara Ryan, Catherine Fuller, and Shakira King enjoyed Radiation Oncology Night at the Phillies!
RadOnc CRU Celebrates Clinical Trials Day
June 25, 2025
The RadOnc Clinical Research Unit celebrated international Clinical Trials Day this year with an indoor picnic and board games!
ACES Ice Cream Social
The ACES Committee celebrated National Ice Cream Day on July 21 with sweet treats throughout the department! Pictured here are PCAM employees enjoying the freezer full of ice cream to choose from.
The Beam of Life Team
https://runsignup.com/Race/175770/Donate/dGqBdwIpsS2njrQq
The Breakthrough Challenge bike ride will be on Sunday, September 14. The Radiation Oncology Beam of Life team is lead by co-captains Bill Barbour, Chris Laskey, and Christina McCrohan. The Breakthrough Challenge donates 100% of participant-raised funds to support breakthrough cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center. This year $300,000 was raised, bringing the total fundraising to more than $2,850,000 over the past eleven-years.
Save the Date: This year's Breakthrough Challenge will be on Sunday, September 14, 2025
Join the team here: https://runsignup.com/Race/175770/Donate/dGqBdwIpsS2njrQq
Five Questions With...
Melanie Berger, MD
Chief Resident, Medical Residency Program
1. What is a typical work day like for you?
My typical work day this year is a bit different. Our 4th year of residency is a research year, meaning we do not see patients in clinic. It has been an adjustment as the past few years have been quite busy balancing patients care, education, and research. During my research year, my days are a blend of collecting data, meeting with various members of different research teams, and working on manuscripts.
2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?
During my 4th year of medical school, I did an away rotation at Penn. I was able to see the collaborative environment and culture of the residency program up close, leading me to match here. This was back during COVID, when interviews for residency were all virtual, so having this in person experience really sealed the deal.
3. Do you have any book/audiobook or podcast recommendations?
Some books I read recently that I really enjoyed include Martyr by Kaveh Akbar, The Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner and The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion.
4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Peanut butter soft serve from Kohr Brothers at the beach!
5. Are you more of a beach or pool person? Or do you have another favorite spot to relax?
Definitely a beach person! I grew up going to Bethany Beach, DE with my family and still go every summer! Nothing is better than relaxing on the beach with a good book and sandwich.
Cole Friedes, MD
Chief Resident, Medical Residency Program
1. What is a typical work day like for you?
My schedule varies by rotation, but I usually start my day with an early workout; I try to get in about an hour of movement before arriving at the office around 7:30 AM. Most of my day is spent seeing patients for consults, follow-ups, or on-treatment visits. Between clinics, I focus on contouring, research, or teaching medical students. After work, I try to fully disconnect by relaxing with a walk, a book, dinner with friends, or a good show.
2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?
I was fortunate to match at Penn through the national residency match. I was drawn to the department’s innovative use of technology, its collaborative and supportive culture, the world-class faculty, and the outstanding track record of its graduates. I feel so grateful to train here with some of the most brilliant and supportive residents and faculty in the nation.
3. Do you have any book/audiobook or podcast recommendations?
Lately, I’ve been on a Carl Hiaasen streak. His writing takes me back to my Florida childhood-- his writing is funny, fast-paced, and full of colorful characters. I recently finished Stormy Weather and loved how the chaotic storylines all converged in a hilarious and unexpected way.
4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
I always order chocolate. I think it’s the best benchmark for comparing ice cream shops, and it’s the only flavor I ever order.
5. Are you more of a beach or pool person? Or do you have another favorite spot to relax?
Definitely a beach person. I grew up surfing and skimboarding nearly every day in Florida, so the ocean feels like home. That said, lately I’ve found peace in the mountains and I've been spending as much free time as I can exploring national parks. My favorite spots (in the USA) so far are Mount Rainier National Park and Waimea Canyon in Kauai.
Yin Gao, PhD
Chief Education Officer, Medical Physics Residency Program
1. What is a typical work day like for you?
My day always starts with a strong espresso. When I arrive at the clinic, I review patient charts and treatment plans, rotate through different clinical services, and help with QA at night. I also work on my research projects and attend lectures as part of my training
2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?
Penn values excellence in patient care, research, and education. It also leads in advanced technologies like FLASH and proton therapy, which align perfectly with my interests. The collaborative environment and commitment to innovation create an ideal place for me to contribute clinically while advancing impactful research.
3. Do you have any book/audiobook or podcast recommendations?
Lately, I’ve been enjoying stand-up comedy. It’s a fun way to relax and stay updated on current topics with a fresh perspective.
4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Peach sorbetto - refreshing and light; and dark chocolate - rich, slightly bitter, and not too sweet.
5. Are you more of a beach or pool person? Or do you have another favorite spot to relax?
I’m more of a mountain person. Snowboarding in the winter is my favorite way to unwind. That said, I also enjoy relaxing at the beach with a cocktail in hand.
Casey Hollawell, MD
Chief Education Officer, Medical Residency Program
1. What is a typical work day like for you?
As a resident, this depends on my attendings' schedule and the rotation I'm on! Typically, there is at least one day where we'll see new patient consultations, a day where we'll see all the current patients on treatment and a day where we'll see return visits. There is also almost always some contouring and treatment planning sprinkled throughout the day.
2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?
As a medical student, I fell in love with radiation oncology. Through the residency match process, I was lucky enough to find my way to Penn and have happily spent the last 4 years here!
3. Do you have any book/audiobook or podcast recommendations?
I recently read The Wedding People which is a great summer/ beach read. Shoutout to my co-resident, Lauren Linkowski, for the recommendation!
4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Moose Tracks
5. Are you more of a beach or pool person? Or do you have another favorite spot to relax?
Definitely a beach person, but the pool is close second. I am happy near any type of water in the summer!
Maksym Sharma, PhD
Chief Resident, Medical Physics Residency Program
1. What is a typical work day like for you?
My work day is very shift dependent. On early shift (6AM-2PM), I first draft an email with assignments for the physicists on duty for that day, I then shadow the early physicist for any calls with treatment machine issues, and where possible help with initial and weekly patient chart checks and planning support tasks. The rest of the time I assist with 4D-CT acquisitions and any urgent patient-specific QA tasks.
2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?
Penn's strong reputation for clinical excellence, collaborative environment, and commitment to innovation and education really stood out to me. The blend of advanced technology, strong mentorship, and focus on continuous learning made it a place where I knew I would grow both professionally and personally.
3. Do you have any book/audiobook or podcast recommendations?
I always recommend "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius - timeless and thought provoking.
4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
A mix of strawberry and chocolate is my favorite.
5. Are you more of a beach or pool person? Or do you have another favorite spot to relax?
Definitely a beach person. There is something calming about the sound of the ocean waves crashing in the distance and seeing the horizon stretch endlessly in front of you.
Rad Recommendations
Michele's Menu Musings by Michele Kim, PhD
Vernick Fish
One N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Located on the first floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, Vernick Fish may seem like a stuffy place – suited for business dinners and power lunches. But in reality, this sequel to Vernick Food & Drink by James Beard Award-winning (in 2017 for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic) star chef Greg Vernick is a welcoming spot bustling with energy and great flavors. The restaurant describes themselves as their take on an American oyster bar that is “ingredient-driven” and “paired with a love for global flavors.”
The menu evolves somewhat as seasonal ingredients change, but their essence remains. We started with all the crudos: king salmon crudo (smoked chili, green tomato relish, and radish), yellowtail crudo (white soy, brown butter, sungold tomatoes), yellowfin tuna tartare (lettuce cups, miso mayo, pickled daikon), amberjack crudo (peach, lime dressing, Thai basil), red snapper ceviche (coconut broth, jicama, fried shallot, cilantro). Each bite was unique and full of flavor. The ingredients they used felt very deliberate. The brown butter on the yellowtail crudo was incredible. From the cooked small plates menu, we tried the crispy octopus and the anchovies that followed the raw fish perfectly. For our mains, we had a grilled swordfish al pastor with pineapple mole, tomatillo, poblano, and pepita along with the crispy jerk sea bream served with napa cabbage, cucumber salad, habanero, and scallion. One of the specials of the night was a table-side filleted turbot served with house-made fish sauce and various seasonings, which was amazing and felt luxurious. True to their word, the global flavors infused with every bite created a meal that was worth the splurge. As you may expect from a restaurant at the Four Seasons, the service was impeccable. The cocktails also packed a punch with unique flavors. Dessert was the least exciting of their menu items, but the chocolate mousse and olive oil cake were executed well.
If you love seafood, especially crudo, Vernick Fish is a Philadelphia staple that you must try. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not cool enough for Vernick Fish.
Do you have any recommendations you'd like to share with the Spotlight? Email your reviews for movies, TV shows, books, and podcasts to RadOncSpotlight@uphs.upenn.edu
On-Site Clinical Proton Education Course at Penn Medicine
Applications are now open for 2025 On-Site Clinical Proton Education Courses. Designed for Radiation Oncologists, Physicists, Treatment Planners, and Radiation Therapists
From November 3 - 7, 2025, there will be an intensive one-week educational courses at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center in Philadelphia, PA. Space is limited. Apply now at RMI.pennmedicine.org/proton-therapy-course.
Course includes: Hands-on learning opportunities, Certificate upon successful completion, Networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders
12th Annual Morton M. Kligerman Award Lecture
July 18, 2025
Sana D. Karam, MD, PhD was awarded this year's Morton M. Kligerman Award from Penn Radiation Oncology. The Kligerman Award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Kligerman, a national leader in Radiation Oncology, and is given to a physician in the field whose dedication to research improves the lives of cancer patient. Dr. Karam, professor and department chair of Radiation Oncology at Washington University, gave her lecture titled "Mechanism of response and resistance to radiation immunotherapy combinations in HNSCC" to current residents, faculty, and alumni. Congratulations Dr. Karam!
Medical Residency
Awards, Conferences, and Grants
Melanie Berger, MD received the 2025 Resident Research Award to support her project on Adaptive Radiotherapy for GBM
FASTRO Fellowships
Our residency program produces many leaders in Radiation Oncology - this year four of the newest ASTRO Fellow designation (FASTRO) honor members are graduates of the Penn Radiation Oncology medical residency program:
- Chika N. Madu, MD, Northwell Health
- Drew Moghanaki, MD, MPH, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
- John P. Plastaras, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
- Gita Suneja, MD, MS, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Medical Physics Graduate Program
Happenings
Student Check-in Lunch
On June 24, the MPGP team met with rising second-year students to chat about their first year in the program and how their summers are going. The summer between a MSMP student’s first and second year is busy – most students complete their clinical practicum, study for and take the ABR Part 1 Exam, prepare their thesis proposals, and may present at or attend the AAPM Annual Meeting. Students also provided feedback on how the MPGP team can enhance the New Student Orientation for incoming students. Everyone enjoyed lunch from Thai Singha House.
Coding Bootcamp
This July, MPGP offered its first Coding Bootcamp for rising second-year students. The purpose of this bootcamp was to give students the opportunity to learn or brush up on foundational coding skills that will be necessary in their second-year coursework. The Coding Bootcamp was a collaborative effort led by Austin Kassaee, MS, and generously supported by Kevin Risolo, MMP, Steve Philbrook, MMP, Dr. Rafe McBeth, Dr. Wenbo Gu, and Dr. Tim Zhu.
MPGP Student attends VR/AI Workshop in Ghana
In early July, Nehemyah Green, current MSMP student, traveled to Ghana with Dr. Stephen Avery to assist with and attend the VR & AI for Transforming Cancer Care in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries Workshop, held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. This workshop brought together leaders in VR and AI form the University of Pennsylvania, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Ghana, the IAEA, Radformation and more.
New Radiation Communication Edition
MPGP is pleased to announce the newest edition of our program newsletter, Radiation Communication. This Summer 2025 edition highlights Dr. Dimitris Mihailidis, new MPGP Program Director, as well as many MPGP program and student achievements and activities. Check it out and let us know what you think!
AAPM Booth
MPGP teamed up with the Medical Physics Residency to host a booth at the 2025 AAPM Exhibit Hall in Washington, DC. Over the course of three days, MPGP and Medical Physics Residency directors, administrators, students and alumni connected with Annual Meeting attendees interested in our graduate and residency programs.
AAPM Alumni Reception
On July 28, the Radiation Oncology Educational Programs hosted the Radiation Oncology Educational Programs’ AAPM Alumni Event at the Conrad Rooftop in Washington, DC. Over 100 faculty, staff, graduate program and residency alumni, current residents and students enjoyed appetizers, drinks, and great views from the rooftop.
Student Achievements
Congratulations to Xiaokun Teng, PhD, second-year MSMP student, who received the AAPM/RSNA Masters Fellowship, which awards $10,000 to three MS students each year to be used for tuition, professional or research development.
Congratulations to Nayoon Lee, MS submatriculation student, who was selected into Dr. Rafe McBeth’s lab as part of the 2025 SUPERS Program. Nayoon is working on a project titled, “AI-accelerated pipeline for prostate cancer radiotherapy focusing on auto-segmentation of the target volume and creating a dose optimization model”.
Scholarly Activity
Najah Curtis, PhD in Bioengineering – Medical Physics Concentration student presented her abstract, “Development of Computational Immunohistochemical Stained Tissue Analysis of Intracellular FLASH Induced ROD at the 2025 AAPM Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in July.
Xiaokun Teng, PhD, MSMP student, competed in the Med Phys Slam with her talk, “We Used a Stack of Metal Plates to Catch Protons – and Make Cancer Therapy Safer” at the 2025 AAPM Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in July.
Xiaokun Teng, PhD, MSMP student, presented her abstract, “Fast and Convenient Proton Pencil Beam Energy QA with Multi-Layer Faraday Cup (MLFC)” in the Best in Physics session at the 2025 AAPM Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in July.
Baozhu Lu, PhD, Certificate student, presented her poster, “Comparison of Multispectral Singlet Oxygen Luminescent Dosimetry (MSOLD) and Singlet Oxygen Explicit Dosimetry (SOED) in BPD-Mediated PDT for Mice” at the 2025 AAPM Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in July.
Ayoola Okuribido, MS ’25, presented his poster, “Development of a Method to Standardize Multi-Institutional Quality Assurance Data through AI Based Learning Model Ontology” at the 2025 AAPM Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in July.
Ledi Wang, second-year MSMP student presented his posters, “Realistic Modeling of Vasculature Flow and Oxygen Distribution in Normal Tissue and Glioblastoma,” and “Scoring Functions for Reinforcement Learning in Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Treatment Planning” at the 2025 AAPM Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in July.
Andrew Friberg, PhD in Bioengineering – Medical Physics Concentration student will present his abstract, “Is Reduced DNA Damage as a Result of Oxygen Consumption a Potential Mechanism for the FLASH Sparing Effect” at the Flash Radiotherapy and Particle Therapy Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, in December.
Najah Curtis, PhD in Bioengineering – Medical Physics Concentration student will present her abstract, “Investigating Oxygen Consumption as a Potential Mechanism for the FLASH Sparing Effect” at the Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico in September.
Ledi Wang, second-year MSMP student will present his abstract, “Feasibility Study of AI-Assisted Radiation Therapy Contour QA for Prostate Cancer Multi-Center Clinical Trial” at the ASTRO Annual Meeting in San Francisco in September.
Mallum Abba, Tendwa Maureen Bilinga, Saidu Rakiya, Swanson William, Phan Paul, Li Heng, Ngoma Twalib , Avery Stephen, Huq M. Saiful, Akudugu John M., Ngwa Wilfred, Incrocci Luca, and Vorster Mariza: A comparative analysis of hypofractionated versus conventional radiotherapy for cervical cancer in a resource-limited setting: a prospective study. Frontiers in Oncology 15, June 2025.
Farouk Dako, Fabio Y Moraes, Florence Doo, Mohammed Abed, Udunna Anazodo, Labenyimoh Patrick, Fernanda M Favorito, Emadelden Fouad, Adewumi Alabi, Stephen Avery, Andrew Scott, Wil Ngwa, and Hricak Hedvig: Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Innovations for Oncology in sub-Saharan Africa. The Lancet Oncology In Press 2025.