Sara Castro Baquero

Sara joins the department as a Proton Dosimetrist. Sara has a background in Medical Physics at the National Institute of Cander in Columbia. She received her MS in Medical Dosimetry at Suffolk University in May 2025. Sara loves to cook, hike and travel. You can contact her at sara.castrobaquero@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Melissa Vila

Melissa joins the department as a Medical Physicist A at Penn | Virtua. Previously she was a medical physics resident at Penn and has her MS in medical physics from the University of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys crocheting, playing tennis, and binge-watching Grey's Anatomy. You can contact her at melissa.vila@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

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.

• 273080 Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Philadelphia, PA
• 272325 Dosimetrist Treatment Planner - Philadelphia, PA
• 270577 Clinical Nurse 2 - Philadelphia, PA (PCAM)
• 270450 Radiation Therapist - Philadelphia, PA
• 269993 PRN Rad Therapist - Doylestown, PA (Per Diem)
• 266585 Radiation Oncologist - Lancaster, PA
• 263936 Radiation Therapist – Lancaster, PA
• 263588 Registered Nurse RN - Lancaster, PA
• 262812 Dosimetrist Treatment Planner – Philadelphia, PA
• 262401 Physicist – Lancaster, PA
• 257110 Accountant – Philadelphia, PA
• 253802 Nurse Navigator Oncology – Lancaster, PA
• 237634 PRN Rad Therapist – Philadelphia, PA (PAH) (Per Diem)
• 225098 Radiation Therapist NJS Eligible - Plainsboro, NJ (Per Diem)
• 269591 Patient Services Associate – West Chester, PA

Faculty Open Positions

Please click on the link below to view the full job description for faculty open positions on Workday.

• Assistant Professor, CE - Physics
• Penn Medicine Clinician - Chester County (Job Requisition ID: JR00094977)
• Penn Medicine Clinician - Cherry Hill (Job Requisition ID: JR00103891)

Stephen Avery, PhD, FAAPM; Surbhi Grover, MD, PhD; and Neil Taunk, MD, MSCTS presented at the ICARO-4 conference in Vienna, Austria held at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

PTCOG

June 2-7, 2025

Jeffrey Bradley, MD, FARC, FASTRO; Pamela Boimel, MD, PhD; Lei Dong, PhD; Yi Fan, MD, PhD; Michelle Iocolano, MD, James Metz, MD; Kevin Teo, PhD, and Lingshu Yin, PhD, DABR presented in Buenos Aires for the 63rd annual PTCOG conference.

Global Health Catalyst Summit

June 7, 2025

The Global Health Catalysts held its 10th Anniversary Summit at MIT this year. Stephen Avery, PhD, FAAPM who serves as Co-Director of the Summit, was honored during the event with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to global health and cancer equity.

Call for Submissions: HOPE+ Creative Competition to Fight Cancer

The Global Health Catalyst invites members of our community to participate in the HOPE+ campaign—a global creative competition using music, art, dance, poetry, and innovation to raise awareness and build hope in the fight against cancer.

• Create – Submit your original artwork, video, performance, or idea
• Inspire – Help amplify voices from around the world and promote cancer equity
• Be Featured – Finalists will be recognized at the Global Health Catalyst Summit at Harvard/MIT in September 2025

Whether you sing, paint, dance, or speak—your voice matters.

Submit or learn more at: globalhealthcatalystsummit.org/hope

For questions, contact: https://www.globalhealthcatalystsummit.org/contact-us

Association of Oncology Social Work Conference (AOSW)

June 11-13, 2025

Christina Bach, MBE, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW and Katherine Okonak, LSW presented at the AOSW conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Their presentation was entitled “Oncology Social Workers as Trauma-Informed Patient Educators: Embracing our Clinical Expertise Outside the ’50-minute hour.’” The presentation focused on building trauma awareness in cancer care settings and applying that knowledge to patient education techniques across the cancer care spectrum.

Awards & Grants

Michelle Iocolano, MD and faculty mentor John Plastaras, MD, PhD have been awarded a 2025 Innovation Award from the Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI) - the ASTRO Foundation - for their multifaced approach to expand access to low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) for joint pain. This award will support a prospective study of LDRT for patients with OA and patients with breast cancer on hormone therapy that develop joint pain.

Neha Vapiwala, MD received the Special Dean's Award from the University of Pennsylvania. Established in the 1989-90 academic year, this award honors special achievements by Penn faculty members. The Senior Vice Dean for Medical Education, in consultation with the Teaching Awards Selection Committee, identifies faculty members who have made unique contributions to medical education at Penn to receive this award. 

Submit Your Recipe for the ACES RadOnc Cookbook!

ACES is excited to organize the first Radiation Oncology cookbook! We will be collecting recipes until Friday, August 29th from the department and compiling it into a cookbook. Please send your best /favorite recipes to radonc_aces@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. Feel free to include pictures and your own personal flair. Please reach out to ACES if you have any questions!

Cancer Survivorship Day at Doylestown

May 30, 2025

On Friday, May 30th, Penn Radiation Oncology Doylestown celebrated Cancer Survivorship Day with our patients and their families. The event was organized by therapists Carol Moffo and Eleanore Spornak, and included activities such as reiki therapy, chair massages, snacks, and small gifts for our patients.

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!

The Beam of Life Team

https://runsignup.com/Race/175770/Donate/dGqBdwIpsS2njrQq

The Breakthrough Challenge bike ride was on Sunday, September 15. 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

Hear from the researchers who received funding from the Breakthrough Challenge in the video above!

4th Annual Beam of Life Fundraiser

Friday, June 27 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at Urban Saloon

All are invited to stop by Urban Saloon (2120 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia PA, 19130) to support the Beam of Life Team! A portion of the $30.00 entrance fee will go toward the Beam of Life Team and includes all draft beers and house wines during the fundraiser.

Breakthrough Challenge Social Ride

Sunday, June 29 at 8:30am at Trek Ardmore

Join members of the Beam of Life Team for a social ride! Assemble at Trek Ardmore (47 W Lancaster Ave, Ardmore PA, 19003 in the rear parking lot) at 8:30am and be ready to ride at 9:00am. The ride will be 12 miles or 25 miles (if there are enough attendees to split into two groups). Helmets are required and e-bikes may be used for this ride.

To RSVP for this event, or for more information, please email co-captain Christina McCrohan at Chrstina.McCrohan@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Five Questions With...

Andrea Martin

Dosimetrist

1. What is a typical work day like for you?

First thing for me is definitely coffee—non-negotiable! Then I check ARIA and my task pad to get a feel for the day and see what’s on deck. We have our morning huddle at Presby at 8 a.m. where we talk through priorities and anything going on with patients. Things move fast in dosimetry, so I always stay ready to pivot if something urgent comes up.

2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?

When I saw that Presbyterian was opening a new Radiation Oncology center back in 2020, I knew I wanted to be part of it. I decided to apply for the dosimetrist position because I was really excited about the opportunity to join a new team with Penn and help build something from the ground up.

3. Do you have any book/audiobook or podcast recommendations?

I’m low key into true crime podcasts—can’t get enough of them. My most recent obsession was the Karen Read trial. I followed it pretty closely, and spoiler alert: she was found not guilty!

4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

My favorite ice cream flavor is definitely cookie dough—can’t beat those chunks. Chocolate is a close second, though. Solid classic.

5. Are you more of a beach or pool person? Or do you have another favorite spot to relax?

I think I’m more of a beach person. Whether it’s down the Jersey Shore or somewhere in the Caribbean, there’s just nothing better than spending time with family, a good book, and those ocean breezes.

Sydney Raver

Dosimetrist

1. What is a typical work day like for you?

A typical day of work starts first and foremost with my coffee promptly at 7am. From there I typically try to knock out anything urgent in the morning hours. This could include sim and start or quick turnaround plans. This is also when I work to fuse and do the initial contours for any simulations I was assigned from the day prior. I really enjoy going on a run to get out and enjoy the weather, especially now that it’s summer. I’ll celebrate getting my morning work done by doing that and from there I’ll come back and enjoy a quick lunch. In the afternoon, I take all opportunities to work ahead for the days moving forward.

2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?

What led me to work here in Penn Radiation Oncology is the huge name this facility has and the consistent opportunities to do and try more. I feel being fresh out of school, I desired to be somewhere I can grow not only in my knowledge and abilities, but in things like multitasking, building my confidence, and bettering my communication skills as there are all very important qualities to have when working as a medical dosimetrist. I feel by being here at Penn, I truly am becoming the best I could ever be in this profession. The opportunities to be involved and grow are endless.

3. Do you have any book/audiobook or podcast recommendations?

I am a huge true crime fan, so I truly enjoy all those types of podcasts. One of my favorites is “True Crime with Kendall Rae.”

4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

I have 2 moods when it comes to ice cream. I am either mint chip all the way or anything chocolate peanut butter with a soft spot for the summer smores flavors.

5. Are you more of a beach or pool person? Or do you have another favorite spot to relax?

I am a mix of the two. Beach is my go to but I love swimming in the pool with friends on a super hot day.

Rad Recommendations

Michele's Menu Musings by Michele Kim, PhD

Mawn – 764 S. 9th St, Philadelphia, PA

If you’ve been following the restaurant scene in Philadelphia, you will have heard about Mawn, the “noodle house with no rules,” that has garnered lot of attention since opening in March 2023. It was highlighted in The New York Times as one of the 25 best restaurants in Philadelphia recently, and just this month, chef Phila Lorn won the James Beard Award for Emerging Chef.

Along with wife and business partner Rachel Lorn, chef Phila Lorn operates Mawn in a quiet residential area near the Italian Market. The space is small but full of incredible scents that stay with you even after you leave. Mawn focuses on Cambodian food, but also highlights dishes from all over Southeast Asia.

They have a number of dishes that they are famous for (like the seafood rice with uni, lump crab, scallops, shrimp, and tuna roe), but we decided to do the “puck & see” menu, where the chefs curate a selection of the best dishes of the day for $65 per person. The meal included three starters, two mains, and a dessert, and even without the add-on of the special raw scallops in a chili vinaigrette topped with roe, we would have left very full. The head-on soft shell shrimp was a flavorful bite, with fish sauce caramel, Thai basil, and chili that you were encouraged to eat in its entirety. The marinated beef on a stick had punchy notes of lemongrass and ginger. Our main course was the pan-seared whole fish with ginger scallion hot oil, accompanied by a fish sauce vinaigrette that added a great level of acidity. Every bite felt intentional and made me want to try everything on their menu.

Due to their rising popularity, reservations are a tad hard to get. They open the following month’s seatings on the 1st of each month at 12 PM. If you’re prepared and have a couple of dates in mind, it’s not impossible to snag a reservation (although the last round booked up entirely in under one minute). Definitely keep an eye out for last-minute cancellations, especially around holidays. The other option is to go there for lunch, where they are walk-in only starting at 11 AM (the line starts to form a little earlier). I promise it’s worth the effort – I’m already planning a return visit to try more things.

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

Congratulations to the 2025 Medical Physics Residency Graduates!

• Daniel Alexander, PhD
• Jace Grandinetti, PhD
• Odalis Reyes Guevara, MS
• Ahmad Sakaamini, PhD
• Melissa Vila, MS

2025 Teaching Awards

Medical Residency Awards

• Karishma Khullar, MD - 2025 ARRO Educator of the Year
• Gary M. Freedman, MD - Giulio D’Angio Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Alyssa Adelizzi, MSN, CRNP - Medical Resident APP Award
• Carrie De Feo, BSN, RN, OCN - Medical Resident Nursing Award
• John Plastaras, MD, PhD - Eli Glatstein Resident Mentorship Award
• Patrick Guarnieri R.T.(R)(T) CMD - Medical Resident Excellence in Dosimetry Award

Medical Physics Residency Awards

• Taelor Rivera, CMD - Dosimetry Teaching Award
• Austin Kassaee, MS - Fundamental Rotation Physics Teaching Award
• Brent Michael Covele, PhD - Advanced Rotation Physics Teaching Award

Awards, Conferences, and Grants

Yin Gao, PhD has been awarded the 2025 AAPM Research Seed Funding Grant for her project, “AI-Assisted Dose and Dose Rate Optimization for Deliverable Proton Conformal FLASH Radiotherapy.��� This prestigious $25,000 grant supports innovative, early-stage research with potential for future NIH funding. The project will receive funding starting August 31, 2025, and will focus on developing cutting-edge AI solutions to optimize proton FLASH therapy.

Mentorship Dinners

Cole Friedes, Lauren Linkowski, Michelle Alonso-Basanta, Emily MacDuffie and Matt Riina enjoyed a mentorship dinner at LMNO in Philadelphia on June 4, 2025.

SUPERS 2025

Welcome to the 2025 SUPERS students! SUPERS (Summer Undergraduate Program for Educating Research Scientists) runs from June 2 to August 8, 2025.