Radiation Oncology-CCOM

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.

04/28/2026

We’re incredibly honored to be recognized with the Outstanding Patient Experience Team Award for the 5th year in a row!

A big thank you to the Office of the Patient Experience for the delicious lunch and for celebrating our team’s commitment to compassionate care. This recognition inspires us to keep putting our patients first every day.

04/23/2026

We're excited to share that Blake Smith, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, has received a $40,000 seed grant through the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant program at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

His project will develop tools to better estimate long-term radiobiologic risks for pediatric and young adult patients treated with intensity modulated proton therapy — research that could improve how we understand and minimize radiation exposure in younger patients.

https://radiationoncology.medicine.uiowa.edu/newsarchive/2026/04/ui-researcher-receives-acs-seed-grant-study-radiation-risk-young-cancer

04/10/2026

Congratulations to Jessica Williams, RN, BSN, OCN in Radiation Oncology on receiving the Silver Level Professional Recognition Program (PRP) Renewal Award!

The PRP is a University of Iowa Department of Nursing program that recognizes direct care nurses who consistently go above and beyond — from precepting new nurses and students to participating in committees, promoting service excellence, and demonstrating outstanding professional involvement.

Earning Silver Level means Jessica met 10 Professional Achievements and Contributions — a true reflection of her dedication to her patients, her teammates, and the nursing profession.

We are so proud to have you on our team, Jessica. Keep leading by example!

04/09/2026

Congratulations to our own James D. Byrne, MD, PhD!

Dr. Byrne, assistant professor of radiation oncology at University of Iowa Health Care, has been named a finalist for the 2026 BioInnovation Institute & Science Prize for Innovation — and his prize essay was published in Science on April 2.

His groundbreaking research focuses on gas-entrapping materials (GEMs), a platform that delivers therapeutic gases like carbon monoxide and oxygen to improve wound healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance cancer treatment outcomes.

As Dr. Byrne puts it: "Imagine sipping your medication off the top of your latte." That future may be closer than you think.

We're incredibly proud to have Dr. Byrne as part of our team.

https://radiationoncology.medicine.uiowa.edu/newsarchive/2026/04/healing-bubble-ui-researcher-publishes-prize-essay-science