Faculty and Staff

Markus Bredel M.D., Ph.D.

Chairman and Sylvester Professor of Radiation Oncology
Publications
Biography: Dr. Bredel is Chairman and Sylvester Professor of Radiation Oncology of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Bredel is a board-certified, German-American physician-scientist who focuses clinically and scientifically on central nervous system (CNS) tumors and movement and other functional disorders of the brain....
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Brandon A. Mahal, M.D.

Clinical Division Chief
Clinical Profile | Publications
Biography: Dr. Brandon Mahal is a physician-scientist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (MSOM)-Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC), where he is Clinical Division Chief and Vice Chair. Dr. Mahal treats prostate and genitourinary cancers. Dr. Mahal obtained his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) with Honors at Harvard Medical School, completed an internal medicine...
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Nesrin Dogan, Ph.D.

Professor and Chief of Medical Physics Division

Biography: Dr. Nesrin Dogan is a Professor, Vice Chair and Chief of Medical Physics Division in the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Dogan is board certified by the ABR in Therapeutic Radiologic Physics. Dr. Dogan received her Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI in 1993. After completing...
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Scott M. Welford, Ph.D.

Professor and Director of Radiation Oncology Biology Division
Publications
Biography: In 2021, I became a Professor of Radiation Oncology (with tenure) and Biology Division Chief at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Miller School) Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Sylvester). As Division Chief, I oversee seven basic-science faculty and joint efforts to promote translational, multidisciplinary science. I am also the coordinator of radiobiology...
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Matthew C. Abramowitz, M.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile | Publications
Biography: Dr. Abramowitz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He obtained a BA in biochemistry from Colgate University in 1998 where he was also a member of the men's rowing team and spent 6 months at NIH researching 3D protein structures using NMR (MRI)....
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Anis Ahmad, Ph.D.

Research Asst. Professor
Publications
Biography: Over the past decade, Dr. Ahmad has demonstrated remarkable expertise and skills in various scientific research and biomedical discovery domains. His knowledge encompasses fundamental scientific principles and practical applications, complemented by well-developed administrative, communication, and leadership abilities essential for successful research endeavors. With...
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Camilo M. Correa Alfonso, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: Dr. Correa is a Medical Physicist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His educational background is rooted in physics and medical physics, beginning with a BSc and MSc in Nuclear Physics from the University of Havana in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Dr. Correa advanced his studies at the University...
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Gregory A. Azzam, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Azzam has joined the University of Miami as faculty in the Department of Radiation Oncology as an Assistant Professor. He received a combined M.D., Ph.D. from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2015. During his graduate years, he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Maureen Murphy at Fox Chase Cancer Center and The Wistar Institute, where he investigated a polymorphism...
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Jonathan Brooks Bell, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Publications
Biography: Dr. Jonathan Bell is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He specializes in the treatment of tumors of the central nervous system (brain and spine) and head and neck.

Dr. Bell has experience treating patients using innovative technologies...
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Beth Bossart, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Publications
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Joseph Both, Ph.D.

Asst. Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

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John M. Bryant, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical

Biography: John Michael Bryant, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and an affiliate member of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. A Miami native, Dr. Bryant specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal and thoracic malignancies, integrating advanced radiation therapy approaches, including...
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Michael Butkus, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

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Siamak P. Nejad-Davarani, Ph.D.

Asst. Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: Siamak P. Nejad-Davarani received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2014, and did his post-doctoral fellowship at the Radiology Department at the University of Michigan Hospital in 2016. He also received an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from Wayne State University....
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Rodrigo Delgadillo, Ph.D.

Asst. Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: I was born in Bolivia and moved to the USA at the age of 3 years old. I grew up in South Florida. After high school, I attended the University of Florida where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. I stayed at the University of Florida to obtain a Master of Science in Physics degree working in the LISA and LIGO group....
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Alexandra Danielle Dreyfuss, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical

Biography: Dr. Alexandra Dreyfuss is a radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer and hematologic malignancies. She provides comprehensive care for individuals with breast cancer, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia, and treats select inflammatory and degenerative benign conditions.

Dr. Dreyfuss received her...
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Chet Ford, Ph.D.

Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: My career in medical physics began with a PhD in Physics at University of Connecticut where my thesis involved Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, followed by training as NIH Post-doctoral Fellow at University of Pennsylvania where I became expert in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). I remained on the faculty at PENN in the Radiology department for ten years and was successful...
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Laura M. Freedman, M.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Laura Freedman, M.D., is Director of Radiation Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Deerfield Beach. She is also an assistant professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from University of Michigan Medical School and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Dr. Freedman’s clinical...
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Morgan E. Freret, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical

Biography: Morgan Freret, MD, PhD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist who specializes in caring for people with primary and metastatic brain tumors as well as breast cancer. Her expertise includes stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) techniques.
An Assistant Professor at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine,...
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Panagiota Galanakou, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical

Biography: Dr. Galanakou is a Medical Physicist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Ioannina in Greece, where her undergraduate thesis focused on implementing an MRI quality control protocol for the University of Ioannina Hospital, based on...
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Sandra Gaston, P.h.D.

Research Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Publications
Biography: I am a molecular biologist trained at Duke University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. I have a longstanding interest in the biology and molecular genetics of prostate cancer. With grant support from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Innovative Technologies for the...
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Derek M. Isrow, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Isrow joined the University of Miami Department of Radiation Oncology faculty in 2018 where he is clinically focused on treating both pediatric and lymphoma patients as well as gastrointestinal and breast cancer patients. He is trained in state-of-the-art radiation therapy techniques including proton therapy, MRI-guided radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery,...
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William Jin, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Jin is Early Stage Investigator and Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine - Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he treats patients with gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers. Dr. Jin graduated from the University of South Florida with distinctions in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society...
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Robert Kaderka, Ph.D.

Asst. Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: Robert Kaderka works as a Medical Physicist and Assistant Professor at the University of Miami. His research focuses on knowledge-based planning and automation in both photon and proton therapy.
He holds Master of Science degrees in both Physics and Mathematics. He obtained his PhD at the GSI Helmholtz Center of Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany. At GSI,...
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Leah M. Katz, M.D.

Biography: Dr. Leah M. Katz is Vice Chair of Faculty Development and an attending radiation oncologist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. She is a board-certified physician, academic clinician-educator, and nationally recognized leader in faculty development, physician well-being, and the integration of artificial...
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Gregory J. Kubicek, M.D.

Professor of Clinical
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Kubicek specializes in head and neck cancer, sarcoma, and central nervous system cancers, he is considered an expert in these disease sites with over 60 publications, 5 book chapters and multiple presentations at national conferences. He has developed and completed several clinical trials to further improve patient outcomes. Dr. Kubicek has received multiple awards...
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Olga Maria Dona Lemus, PhD

Assistant Professor of Clinical

Biography: Olga M. Dona Lemus, PhD, DABR, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami, where she brings a wealth of experience in medical physics and radiation oncology. With a career spanning academic, research, and clinical roles, she specializes in advanced radiation treatment techniques, particularly online adaptive radiotherapy.

Dr....
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Amandeep R.S. Mahal, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical

Biography: Dr. Mahal specializes in treating cancers of the central nervous system (CNS) and thoracic region. His clinical focus includes brain and spine metastases, early-stage lung cancer, and lung metastases, as well as select benign conditions such as osteoarthritis, Dupuytren’s and Ledderhose disease, plantar fasciitis, heterotopic ossification, and keloids. He is known for...
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Jessica J. Meshman, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Jessica Meshman is a board certified Radiation Oncologist at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, specializing in the treatment of breast cancer and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Dr. Meshman earned her medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed her internship in internal medicine at UCLA Olive-View prior to radiation...
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Ivaylo Mihaylov, Ph.D.

Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Publications
Biography: I obtained a MS degree from Sofia University, Bulgaria in 1996. In 2003 a received a PhD in Theoretical Astrophysics from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. Following my graduate studies from 2003 to 2006 I was a postdoctoral associate at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University. After finishing my postdoctoral studies, I obtained...
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Neil Newman, M.D.

Biography: Dr. Neil B. Newman is an Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He received his combined MD and MS degrees at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. His MS is in Clinical and translation research. He specializes in treating Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary, and...
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Mariluz De Ornelas, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: With a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering, Dr. De Ornelas discovered the applicability of Physics to the clinic with Medical Physics. She subsequently pursued a master’s degree at the University of Miami. Her interest in research led her to continue her education at the same institution to get her Doctorate degree in 2018. Her dissertation focused on treatment planning...
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Kyle R. Padgett, Ph.D.

Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: Kyle R. Padgett, PhD. is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami with secondary appointments in Radiology and Biomedical Engineering. He directs the UM Medical Physics Residency Training Program (2022–present) and leads clinical programs in MRI-guided radiotherapy, image registration/IGRT, and adaptive radiotherapy.
Dr. Padgett earned his...
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Alan Pollack, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile | Publications
Biography: Dr. Pollack is Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He obtained a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Miami and later graduated from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Ph.D. to M.D. program. He did an internal...
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Alan Dal Pra, M.D.

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile | Publications
Biography: Dr. Alan Dal Pra is a Professor and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He also serves as Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Sylvester at Coral Gables, The Lennar Foundation Medical Center.
Dr. Dal Pra obtained his Medical Degree from the Federal University of Rio Grande...
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Priyamvada Rai, Ph.D.

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Publications
Biography: Dr. Rai received her Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the California Institute of Technology. She did her PhD research at University of California, Berkeley in the field of biophysics with Dr. Stuart Linn and Dr. David Wemmer as her co-advisors. She was a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Robert Weinberg at the Whitehead Institute...
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Benjamin J. Rich, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Benjamin Rich is an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He specializes in treating cancers arising from the head and neck, central nervous system and genitourinary tract. He has expertise in cutting-edge modalities including stereotactic radiosurgery (both Gamma Knife and linac-based), proton beam radiotherapy,...
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Amanda Rivera, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Rivera’s research focuses on treatment optimization for gynecologic cancers, the patient experience, and workforce diversity. She has previously collaborated with the American Cancer Society and the NFL Crucial Catch Project to improve cervical cancer screening rates in the Bronx. She aims to study the interplay of resource availability and how to combat the perpetuation...
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Stuart Samuels, M.D.

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: I went to Columbia University for college and am an alumni of the University of Miami where I received my MD, PhD degree. My PhD was in the neuroscience program in the department of physiology and biophysics. I studied under the mentorship of Ken Muller investigating the role of gap junctions, known as Pannexons, in the neuro-immune response to injury. It was during my...
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Levent Sensoy, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Clinical Radiation Physics

Biography: Levent Sensoy, Ph.D., earned his doctorate in Physics with a specialization in Diagnostic Imaging Medical Physics from the University of Iowa in 2016. Following his Ph.D., he joined the PET Instrumentation Research Group at the University of California, Davis as a postdoctoral scholar, where he focused on innovative PET scanner design.

In 2018, Dr....
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Junwei Shi, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor
Publications
Biography: I completed my doctoral studies at the Biomedical Engineering Department of Tsinghua University (China), where I obtained training on optical molecular tomography under the mentorship of Prof. Jing Bai (fellow of IEEE, IAMBE, and AIMBE) who pioneered the cancer molecular imaging. After my PhD training, I joined in the Department of Radiation Oncology at University of Miami...
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Sumit Sean Sood, M.D.

Biography: Dr. Sood is excited to come home as he and his twin brother were born in Plantation, FL and raised in Coral Springs, FL. As such, he holds strong ties to the community here. He attended the George Washington University for medical school and subsequently completed his radiation oncology residency at the University of Kansas where he served as chief resident. Notable accomplishments...
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Garrett Simpson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: Dr. Simpson is a Medical Physicist and Assistant Professor at the University of Miami. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics at Christopher Newport University in 2014, then a Master of Science and Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering with a specialty in Medical Physics at the University of Miami in 2017 and 2021, respectively. Dr. Simpson’s PhD thesis...
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Benjamin Spieler, M.D.

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Spieler is a board-certified radiation oncologist with a clinical and research focus on genitourinary (GU) cancers, gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, and metastatic disease. At the University of Miami (University) NCI-designated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Sylvester), Dr. Spieler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology and a member...
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Matthew Studenski, Ph.D., DABR

Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: I was first exposed to the field of Medical Physics while in graduate school at the University of Michigan studying Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science. As I transitioned to graduate school in 2005, I was interested in the field of Health Physics. My research project at that time was focused on the shielding design for a Cs-137 irradiator facility, but I always...
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Radka S. Stoyanova, Ph.D.

Professor
Publications
Biography: Dr. Stoyanova is Professor and Director of Imaging and Biomarkers Research in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami. Dr. Stoyanova received her Master’s in Mathematics from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria, and her Ph.D. in Pattern Recognition at the Imperial College, London.
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Cristiane Takita, M.D., MBA, FASTRO

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Takita is a Professor and Vice Chair of Education of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Sylvester C. Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She obtained her medical degree at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a Radiation Oncology Residency at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University in St. Louis. She joined University...
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Crystal Seldon Taswell, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile | Publications
Biography: Dr. Crystal Seldon Taswell is a physician-scientist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (MSOM)-Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC). Dr. Taswell treats breast and musculoskeletal cancers. Dr. Taswell obtained her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Morehouse School of Medicine. She was a recipient of the Coca Cola Medical Scholarship. She completed...
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Chiara La Tessa, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professor

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Aaron H. Wolfson, M.D.

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Prior to joining the faculty in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine on July 1, 1989, I trained as a resident in Radiation Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA) from July 1, 1986 until June 30, 1989. From July 1, 1985 until June 30, 1986, I served as a General Practitioner in Palm Beach Gardens,...
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Xiangxi Xu, Ph.D.

Professor of Radiation Oncology

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Fei Yang

Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

Biography: Dr. Yang integrates clinical expertise with innovative research to advance imaging and data-driven care in radiation oncology. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, editorial leadership, and dedicated mentorship, he fosters excellence in patient-centered practice.
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Yunze Yang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical

Biography: Yunze Yang is an Assistant Professor in Radiation Oncology. He received his PhD in electrical engineering at Arizona State University. After that, he worked at Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Research Fellow in proton therapy, focusing on the high LET of protons and related patient outcomes. He finished his residency in Medical Physics at the University of Miami. His research...
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Raphael L. Yechieli, M.D.

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Profile
Biography: Dr. Yechieli is an Associate Professor in Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami and Medical Director for the department of Radiation Oncology at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He specializes in treating patients with sarcoma, lung cancers, brain metastases, genitourinary tumors and keloids. He has experience and expertise in the use of multiple treatment techniques...
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Alberto De La Zerda, Ph.D.

Asst. Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology

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Maria Irene Monterroso, M.S.

Instructor

Certifications: American Board of Radiology-Therapeutic Medical Physics

Biography: Irene Monterroso received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Miami College of Engineering and completed the Biomedical Engineering–Medical Physics graduate program in 2008. Following completion of her M.S., she worked as a junior medical physicist at the CyberKnife Center of Miami before joining the University of Miami Department of Radiation Oncology in 2012 as an instructor. Her primary clinical and research interests include stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy, and she currently serves as the lead physicist for the stereotactic services. She is also actively involved in the proton therapy and high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy programs. In addition, she has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications and abstracts. Ms. Monterroso is a member of the teaching faculty at the University of Miami, where she educates medical physics residents and medical dosimetry students and serves as a mentor to medical physics residents.

Elsa M. Serrano, MBA

Sr. Administrative Officer, Radiation Oncology

Richard Fitterer, B.S., R.T.(R)(T)

Associate VP, Radiation Oncology Services

Rebecca Barreiro, AGACNP-BC

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Radiation Oncology

Emily A. Delgado, MPAS, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Radiation Oncology

Ricardo Diaz Perez, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, RN

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Radiation Oncology

Samantha L. Kim, MHSc, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Radiation Oncology

Chiena H. Levine, MCMSc, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Radiation Oncology

Venezia A. J. Mata, MPAS, PAC

Physician Assistant, Radiation Oncology

Priscilla M. Perez, MSN, FNP-BC

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Radiation Oncology

Samar A. Raad, PA-C, MMSc

Physician Assistant, Radiation Oncology

Edna Shifteh, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Radiation Oncology

Devora L. Stone, MSPA, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Radiation Oncology

Frederic P. Tassy, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, RN

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Radiation Oncology