Roles
Assistant Professor of Clinical
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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 applying advanced radiation techniques thoughtfully and precisely to deliver effective, individualized care.
Dr. Mahal trained at some of the nation’s most distinguished academic medical centers. He graduated at the top of his class from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He earned his medical degree (M.D.) with honors from Yale School of Medicine, where he received multiple academic distinctions, was recognized for his service to underserved patient populations, and served as the state’s American Medical Association MSS-Delegate representative. He completed his internal medicine internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), where he was recognized for clinical excellence, followed by advanced specialty residency training at the Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, which includes training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Mahal is frequently sought out for complex or high-risk cases where precision, prior radiation exposure, or preservation of functional outcomes is critical. He is deeply committed to providing high-level, multidisciplinary, and innovative cancer care. He takes time to ensure that patients and their families fully understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and, when appropriate, available clinical trials. In developing treatment plans, he carefully considers each patient’s individual medical condition alongside their unique values and treatment goals. He considers it a privilege to care for patients during some of the most challenging moments of their lives and approaches this responsibility with compassion, humility, and respect.
Dr. Mahal is trained in all aspects of modern radiation oncology. This breadth of expertise allows Dr. Mahal to tailor treatment to each patient, selecting the approach that offers the greatest chance of tumor control while minimizing side effects and preserving quality of life. His treatment approach emphasizes delivering the most advanced radiation therapies available including proton therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS/SRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT/SABR), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), MRI-guided and adaptive radiotherapy, high- and low-dose-rate (HDR/LDR) brachytherapy, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), and radiopharmaceutical therapy.
An active researcher and innovator, Dr. Mahal’s academic work focuses on improving cancer outcomes through the thoughtful application of radiation therapy. He holds a patent for a novel brachytherapy medical device designed to enhance patient comfort and optimize care. He has published widely in leading peer-reviewed journals, authored multiple book chapters and editorials, and presented award-winning research at national and international conferences, including ASTRO, ASCO, AACR, and ARS. He serves as an invited reviewer for multiple journals and remains actively involved in the education and mentorship of medical students and residents through clinical training and research.
In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Mahal has a strong interest in clinical operations. He is passionate about improving access to quality, evidence-based cancer care while building collaborative, patient-centered systems that deliver measurable impact for the communities he serves. He is known for fostering cohesive, team-oriented environments that support both excellent patient care and professional growth among colleagues.
For Dr. Mahal, medicine offers the chance to combine lifelong learning, research, and teaching with the privilege of making a difference in patients’ lives every day. He says, “It is a privilege to join such a talented and dedicated team at the University of Miami. I’m eager to advance the field of cancer care and to collaborate with colleagues and trainees who share a deep commitment to improving the lives of our patients.”
Outside of work, Dr. Mahal enjoys traveling, staying active, exploring the diverse food scene across South Florida, and spending time with family and friends. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
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Teaching Interests
Dr. Mahal is deeply committed to resident, fellow, and medical student education in radiation oncology, with a focus on developing thoughtful, technically excellent, and patient-centered clinicians. His teaching interests include CNS malignancies, high-precision stereotactic techniques, contouring and treatment planning, and the integration of advanced imaging into clinical decision-making. He places particular emphasis on workflow optimization, safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration, and enjoys mentoring trainees in clinical reasoning, leadership development, and systems-based practice within academic and network oncology settings. -
Research Interests
Clinical Operations, Cancer Outcomes, Health Services, Public Policy, Comparative Effectiveness Research