Roles
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
-
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 of the GU, GI, and NeuroOncology cancer site disease groups.
Since joining the University, Dr. Spieler has been awarded the K12 Paul Calabresi Career Development Award from the National Cancer Institute. The main focus of the K12 award is the Miami UAdapt Molecular Characterization Trial, which aims to better understand prostate cancer patient response to high-dose radiation therapy and to identify and develop ways, such as combination therapies, to overcome treatment resistance. Dr. Spieler’s overarching research interests are in applying the latest in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of GU, GI, and metastatic cancers. Dr. Spieler’s contributions to science and medicine include discovering new applications of quantitative MR and CT radiomic features to predict tumor aggressiveness and treatment response in localized and metastatic disease.
Before beginning his career in academic medicine, Dr. Spieler graduated from Phillips Academy Andover and summa cum laude in Classics from Princeton University. Dr. Spieler then enlisted and served as an infantry officer (Captain) in the United States Marine Corps, commanding US Marines during multiple extended overseas deployments. Dr. Spieler’s military commendations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Riverine Combat Badge, and Navy Achievement Medal. After honorable discharge, Dr. Spieler completed his post-baccalaureate degree in Premedical Sciences at the Harvard University Extension School and graduated with Distinction in Research from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York. During medical school, Dr. Spieler was awarded a research fellowship at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, where he investigated and published on salvage radiotherapy of prostate cancer. During his residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami, Dr. Spieler served as Chief Resident and was awarded the Roentgen Prize for excellence in research.
In addition to his clinical and research pursuits, Dr. Spieler is Chief Clinical Lecturer at the University’s School of Medical Dosimetry and serves on the Dean’s Diversity Council, the Admissions Committee for the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, and the Selective Internal Radiotherapy Policies and Procedures Committee for the American College of Radiology. These diverse projects are unified by Dr. Spieler’s focus on improving clinical outcomes for patients with locally advanced and metastatic cancer, as well as a commitment to public service and education. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
-
Research Interests
Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR), yttrium-90 microspheres, exosome-based liquid biopsies for prostate cancer, radiomics-based predictive biomarkers, radiotherapy of oligometastatic disease.