Radiation Oncology-CCOM

08/11/2026

Interested in radiation oncology residency training at the University of Iowa? Join us for a Virtual Meet and Greet with our Radiation Oncology Residency Program! We're hosting two identical sessions — pick whichever fits your schedule:

🗓️ September 2, 2026 | 5–6 PM CT
🗓️ September 9, 2026 | 5–6 PM CT

Come meet our team, learn about the program, and get your questions answered!

Breadcrumb Home Education Radiation Oncology Residency How to Apply - Radiation Oncology Residency Virtual Meet & Greet Virtual Meet & Greet Attend Our Virtual Meet & Greets Attend our meet & greets on September 2 and September 9 to see how our residency program is changing medicine and changing liv...

07/16/2026

Radiation therapy is delivered over frequent sessions across several weeks, which makes access to local treatment more than a matter of convenience.

A recent KWQC-TV6 segment featuring University of Iowa Health Care radiation oncology looks at how proximity to care eases the travel burden on patients and helps them stay connected to family support while completing treatment. The segment also covers the continued importance of prevention and early screening, including the finding that up to 40 percent of cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle factors.

https://www.kwqc.com/2026/06/22/local-access-radiation-oncology-strengthens-cancer-care-quad-cities/

07/06/2026

Congratulations to Andrean Simons-Burnett, PhD, whose research has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program!

Simons-Burnett's project explores the use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to enhance head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) therapy in patients with Fanconi anemia—an inherited condition that leaves patients especially vulnerable to certain cancers.

This work has real potential to improve treatment options for young cancer patients and their families. We're proud to see this important research supported and grateful to the AYA team for their commitment to advancing care. Congratulations, Andrean Simons-Burnett, PhD!

06/24/2026

Congratulations to Kailin Yang, MD, PhD, on receiving a 2026 RSNA Research Seed Grant! Dr. Yang has been awarded $60,000 from the RSNA Research & Education Foundation to support his research project, "Targeting Aberrant Lactylation to Enhance Therapeutic Efficacy in Glioblastoma." This work explores a promising metabolic pathway that may help improve treatment outcomes for patients with one of the most challenging forms of brain cancer. We're proud of Dr. Yang's achievement and look forward to seeing the impact of this research.

05/20/2026

A huge shout-out to our Clinical Trials Team today — and every day! 🙌

May 20th is Clinical Trials Day, a time to celebrate the remarkable professionals who dedicate their careers to advancing public health through clinical research. In Radiation Oncology, your work directly supports our patients and helps shape the future of cancer care.

Thank you for your passion, perseverance, and heart.

At the forefront of every therapeutic breakthrough, you’ll find clinical research professionals who are driven by a powerful purpose: advancing treatments that transform patients' lives. ​Clinical researchers move innovative therapies from scientific discovery to the developments of tomorrow. Fo...

05/15/2026

Congratulations to James Byrne, MD, PhD, on taking first place in the collaborative challenge at the 2026 V Foundation V Scholar Summit! Paired with a pediatric surgeon from the University of Kentucky, the two developed a novel cancer research proposal that beat out 20+ competing teams — earning each of them $10,000 in research funds. Well done, Dr. Byrne!

05/11/2026

We're proud to celebrate Carryn Anderson, MD, Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology, who has been honored with the University of Iowa's Excellence in Clinical Coaching Award!

This recognition — nominated with testimony from residents and fellows — reflects the incredible impact Anderson has on the physicians she trains. Congratulations!

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Austin Halupnik for receiving the 2026 Patrick Clerkin, MD, PhD Medical Student Research Award in Radiation Oncology

The Patrick Clerkin, MD, PhD Medical Student Research Award was established in 2014 and has been an annual award given to graduating medical students who have performed outstanding research in the Department of Radiation Oncology. It is given in memory of Patrick Clerkin, MD, PhD, an exemplary medical student and resident, who completed research on MR spectroscopic imaging for early response assessment of glioblastoma patients during external beam radiation therapy.

04/30/2026

Two of our own are making headlines. Professor Emeritus Garry Buettner, PhD, and Chair Bryan G. Allen, MD, PhD, are featured in a new Medscape article exploring the science behind high-dose intravenous vitamin C as a cancer treatment adjunct — research that has been advancing right here at Iowa for decades. https://radiationoncology.medicine.uiowa.edu/newsarchive/2026/04/ui-radiation-oncology-researchers-featured-medscape-high-dose-vitamin-c-and

04/29/2026

Congratulations to Blake Smith, PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, on receiving the George Starkschall Award for Excellence for an Outstanding Radiation Oncology Physics Article from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM)!

Dr. Smith was recognized for his paper on commissioning a motion management system for our Elekta Unity MR-Linac — a technology that combines real-time MRI imaging with radiation delivery to more precisely target tumors. The UI's MR-Linac was only the third of its kind commissioned in the U.S. and remains the only one in the region.

Dr. Smith will be honored at the 2026 Joint AAPM | COMP Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Vancouver, BC on July 20.