Sylvester faculty, trainees and students will showcase leadership, research and clinical innovation across radiation oncology at ASTRO 2026.

Sept. 24, 2026 — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, will be strongly represented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2026 Annual Meeting in Boston, Sept. 26-30, where faculty, trainees and students from the Miller School will showcase research, innovation and leadership across a wide range of scientific and educational sessions. 

From advances in functional radiation medicine and biomarker-driven cancer treatment to novel applications of imaging, artificial intelligence and precision oncology, Sylvester and Miller School investigators will contribute oral presentations, posters, workshops and national leadership roles throughout the meeting.  

Among the featured presenters is Markus Bredel, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the department of radiation oncology and Sylvester professor, who will lead a session in ASTRO’s Functional Radiation Medicine Workshop. His presentation on patient selection, targeting and treatment delivery for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease reflects growing interest in the use of advanced radiation techniques to address neurological disorders. 

“Sylvester’s participation in ASTRO 2026 reflects the depth of our faculty’s expertise and the momentum behind our work in radiation oncology,” Dr. Bredel said. “Across research, education and clinical innovation, our teams are helping shape more precise, integrated approaches to care that can make a meaningful difference for patients.” 

Alan Dal Pra, M.D., associate professor of radiation oncology and director of clinical research, will serve as moderator and speaker during a Quick Pitch session focused on actionable biomarkers and their role in guiding treatment selection and de-escalation strategies. 

Several scientists have been selected to present their research at the meeting.  

  • Raymond Mailhot, M.D., M.P.H., will moderate the Aspiring Scientists and Physicians Program. 
  • Leah M. Katz, M.D., will moderate a Science Highlights session focused on breast cancer and serve as a discussant during the same program. 
  • Nesrin Dogan, Ph.D., will moderate a Quick Pitch session on imaging for positioning and motion management. 
  • Crystal Seldon Taswell, M.D., will serve as a discussant during a session examining interventions to advance health care access in radiation oncology. 

A highlight of Sylvester’s presence at ASTRO 2026 is the work of Alexandra Dreyfuss, M.D., who will participate in three oral presentations focused on hematologic malignancies and multiple myeloma.  

Her presentations include research examining patterns of progression following BCMA CAR T-cell therapy in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, as well as an educational session addressing the strategic integration of radiation therapy in multiple myeloma care. Her selection for multiple oral and Science Highlights sessions underscores the growing visibility of Sylvester’s work in this area. 

Other Presenters: 

  • Anis Ahmad, Ph.D., will present findings on targeting lipid homeostasis to preserve normal tissue function while enhancing tumor response after radiation. 
  • Levent Sensoy, Ph.D., will share research evaluating vision-language models for chest X-ray report generation and clinical decision support applications. 
  • David Lee, M.D., will present two studies, including a national reassessment of digital educational resources among radiation oncology residency programs and findings from the Miami MAPS trial evaluating MRI-mapped dose-escalated salvage radiotherapy following prostatectomy. 
  • Raksha Narasimhan, an M.D./M.P.H. candidate, will present work examining PET-CT metrics following definitive chemoradiation for anal canal cancer, as well as a bibliometric analysis of scholarly output by the Society for Women in Radiation Oncology. 
  • Shalina Chithriki will present research analyzing allostatic load in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer receiving definitive chemoradiation. 
  • Allen Kohdab, M.D., will examine quality-of-life outcomes among prostate cancer patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy. 
  • Aren Saini will present findings on the association between prior thoracic radiation and outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure. 
  • Xochilt Labissiere, M.D., will participate in an ASTRO-ARRO workshop focused on helping medical students navigate the transition from internship to radiation oncology residency. 
  • Faculty and trainees from across the institution continue to contribute to national conversations shaping the future of the specialty. 

“With leadership roles, oral presentations, educational sessions and research contributions spanning the spectrum of radiation oncology, our presence at ASTRO 2026 reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing precision medicine, innovation and patient-centered cancer care,” said Dr. Bredel.