At NYU Langone’s Department of Radiation Oncology, research is an integral part of our mission. Our investigators and clinicians focus on basic science and translational research. We are committed to advancing the field of radiation oncology through our large portfolio of clinical trials at Perlmutter Cancer Center. Through our research, we aim to develop innovative treatments and enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Our four laboratories for basic science include the Kimmelman Lab, the Pacold Lab, the So Lab, and the Sulman Lab, which occupy two floors of NYU Langone’s Joan and Joel Smilow Research Center.

Our medical students, radiation oncology residents, and medical physics therapy residents actively participate in research under the mentorship of our investigators and clinicians. They also present their work at national and international meetings and conferences.

Leaders in Radiation Oncology Research

The department is known for its leadership in cancer research. Daniel R. Gomez, MD, department chair, is an internationally recognized expert in thoracic radiation oncology whose landmark clinical trials have helped define the role of radiation therapy in oligometastatic and advanced lung cancer. His work is advancing multidisciplinary strategies that improve outcomes for patients with metastatic disease.

Our investigators receive funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, as well as major foundations and societies such as the American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Cancer Society, and American Association for Cancer Research.

Jonathan Yang, MD, PhD, co-director of the Brain and Spine Tumor Center, is a leader in translational research that focuses on finding new treatments—particularly those that improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy—and on identifying molecular predictors of treatment response for people with tumors of the brain or spine.