Stanford Radiation Oncology

10/12/2026

Resident shout-out! Dr. Erron Collins (PGY-3 resident) gave a presentation on upright proton therapy for children last week at the 2026 Children’s Oncology Group Meeting in Chicago. These positioning techniques, like upright therapy, are shaping the future of pediatric radiation oncology, helping make radiation delivery more precise, comfortable, and centered around young patients. Great work showcasing innovative, patient-focused care on the national stage!

09/25/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that Nataliya Kovalchuk, PhD, Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology, has received the Order of Princess Olga, 3rd Degree, awarded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This recognition is an award for the work of the Help Ukraine Group - HUG team and the community that has stood with Ukraine in wartime.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, HUG has worked to strengthen cancer care and radiation oncology in Ukraine. Together with Ukrainian and international partners, the team has reached approximately 80% of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists across 43 radiotherapy centers in Ukraine through training programs; organized national courses and hands-on workshops; created international observerships at leading cancer centers in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe; supported research, mentorship, and publications; secured donations of critical hardware and software, including AI technologies; translated and distributed books; and helped Ukrainian centers implement modern radiotherapy technologies and practices.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kovalchuk on this momentous honor.

09/21/2026

Please join us in congratulating Everett Moding, MD, PhD, for receiving the Radiation Research Society Scholar-in-Training Excellence in Mentorship award! The award is bestowed each year by the Scholar-in-Training Committee. It honors an individual who has provided exceptional mentoring to a Scholar-in-Training member in both their professional and personal aspirations.

09/15/2026

Radiation is the most widely used cancer therapy. About two-thirds of cancer patients in the U.S. receive it. Since the mid-20th century, Stanford Medicine experts have built a tradition of innovation in radiation therapy, helping doctors treat more patients and a wider variety of conditions with greater safety and effectiveness. These advances help patients of all ages but are especially beneficial for children.

Read this Stanford University School of Medicine Magazine article about three Stanford Medicine inventions that made radiotherapy safer and more precise, featuring our very own Yuan James Rao, Bill Loo, Susan Hiniker, and more!

Since inventing the country’s first medical linear accelerator, Stanford continues to advance radiotherapy precision.

09/08/2026

Yesterday, September 7, is known as World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD). This date was chosen to commemorate the 1953 anniversary of the first patient treated with a dedicated clinical linear accelerator. The day is observed globally to raise public and professional awareness of radiotherapy as a vital cancer treatment, advocate for equitable global access, and support the skilled radiation oncology workforce.

Our Stanford Department of Radiation Oncology would like to extend our sincere appreciation to every member of our team who cares for our cancer patients. Let us use this day to raise awareness of the importance of safe, accessible, and high-quality radiotherapy, while reaffirming our commitment to patient-centered care, innovation, education, and excellence.

Please join us in thanking our amazing team for all they do for our patients every day!

09/02/2026

Please join us in thanking Dr. Mallika Marar, MD, MBA, as she concludes her time with Stanford Radiation Oncology!

Since joining the department in October 2024 as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Theragnostics (Radiopharmaceutical Therapy), Dr. Marar has made meaningful contributions to the growth of theranostics across Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine. Through her joint appointment in Radiology and her clinical work in the Division of Nuclear Medicine, she has helped advance coordinated, patient-centered care pathways for individuals receiving radiopharmaceutical therapies.

Dr. Marar has also brought tremendous enthusiasm to expanding theranostics research and education initiatives. Her expertise, collaborative spirit, and commitment to this rapidly evolving field have been deeply valued by colleagues and patients alike.

We are grateful for all that Mallika has contributed to our department and the broader Stanford community, and we wish her every success in her next chapter.

09/01/2026

We are excited to share that Jason Ross, MD, PhD, assistant professor of radiation oncology, has received a $75,000 Stanford Cancer Institute Innovation Award for his proposal titled, "Enhancing Cancer Immunity by Targeting Tumor-Induced Hematopoietic Stem Cell Imbalance."

Cancer progression often mirrors aging: blood stem cells become "biased," overproducing inflammatory cells that fuel tumors while depleting tumor-fighting immune cells. Instead of attempting to repair billions of individual dysfunctional immune cells, researcher Ross developed a therapy that restores immune balance at the source by removing these biased stem cells.

Supported by the SCI Innovation Award, Ross will test whether this stem cell rejuvenation enables the immune system to destroy tumors. Because this underlying immune dysfunction occurs across many cancer types, the strategy could offer a broad alternative to traditional therapies.

Congratulations on receiving this award!

08/31/2026

Congratulations to Maximilian Diehn, MD, PhD, Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor and professor of radiation oncology, and Joel Neal, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, for receiving a $75,000 Stanford Cancer Institute Innovation Award for their proposal titled, "Predicting Response to EGFR Inhibition in NSCLC Using cfRNA."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and EGFR gene mutations are the primary driver in non-smokers. While adding chemotherapy to the standard target drug (osimertinib) extends life for some patients, it increases side effects, and doctors currently cannot predict who needs it.

Supported by the SCI Innovation Award, researchers Diehn and Neal are validating a novel blood test that analyzes circulating cancer RNA. This research aims to create a simple test to personalize therapy—ensuring high-risk patients get aggressive treatment while sparing others unnecessary toxicity.

Congratulations to the team for receiving this award!

08/27/2026

We are excited to announce that Xianjin Dai, PhD, assistant professor of radiation oncology, along with co-investigators Lei Xing, PhD, the Jacob Haimson and Sarah S. Donaldson Professor, Billy Loo, MD, PhD, professor of radiation oncology, and Zhuoran Jiang, PhD, clinical assistant professor of radiation oncology - radiation physics, received a $75,000 SCI Innovation Award for his proposal, "AI-Enhanced Image Registration for Upright Proton Therapy."

Radiation therapy effective for lung cancer can unintentionally damage nearby healthy heart and lung tissue. Upright proton therapy addresses this by seating patients, which expands the lungs and reduces motion during treatment. Stanford installed the world’s first ultra-compact upright system, but existing imaging tools only account for patients lying down. Supported by the SCI Innovation Award and Lung Cancer Center, researchers Dai, Xing, Loo, and Jiang are developing AI tools to align multi-position medical images, improving treatment precision and safety.

Congratulations to the team on receiving this award!

08/25/2026

Stanford Radiation Oncology congratulates Nataliya Kovalchuk, PhD, Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology, on being awarded the Order of Princess Olha (III Degree) by the President of Ukraine.

This distinguished state honor recognizes her work together with Help Ukraine Group - HUG and their dedication to advancing radiation oncology education, training, and cancer care in Ukraine during the war.

Through her work with HUG, Dr. Kovalchuk has mobilized critical support for cancer centers across Ukraine— coordinating medical supplies, international training programs, and essential resources to sustain lifesaving oncology care during wartime.

This prestigious state honor recognizes her tireless advocacy, scientific leadership, and unwavering commitment to Ukrainian healthcare providers and patients.

Join us in celebrating this incredible milestone.