Department of Radiation Oncology
President Zelenskyy Presents Award
September 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.
Scholar-in-Training Excellence in Mentorship
September 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.
Enhancing Cancer Immunity by Targeting Tumor-Induced Hematopoietic Stem Cell Imbalance
August 28, 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!
Predicting Response to EGFR Inhibition in NSCLC Using cfRNA
August 27, 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!
AI-Enhanced Image Registration for Upright Proton Therapy
August 26, 2026
We are excited to announce that Xianjin Dai (X.D.), PhD, DABR, assistant professor of radiation oncology, along with co-investigators Lei Xing, PhD, the Jacob Haimson and Sarah S. Donaldson Professor, Bill Loo, MD, PhD, professor of radiation oncology, and Zhuoran Jiang, PhD, clinical assistant professor of radiation oncology - radiation physics, received a $75,000 Stanford Cancer Institute 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 for receiving this award!
Order of Princess Olha (III Degree)
August 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.
Our Mission
To bring the most advanced care to our patients by being at the cutting edge of research and technology.
Using the most state-of-the-art imaging systems and radiation delivery platforms in the world, our highly integrated team of physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, nurses, and radiation therapists share a commitment to provide exceptional and compassionate care for patients.
VR Patient Treatment
We recognize that radiotherapy treatment can seem complex and unfamiliar for patients during a difficult time. Our department has created a three-part series of educational videos simulating treatment directed to patients undergoing radiation therapy so they know exactly what to expect.