Masterclass: Advanced Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SBRT & SRS) 2026

Dr. Sarah Ashmeg is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Principal Medical Physicist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, USA. She is an American Board of Radiology (ABR)-certified medical physicist with extensive expertise in radiation oncology, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), IMRT/VMAT, CyberKnife, quality assurance, treatment planning, and medical physics education.
Dr. Ashmeg earned her Bachelor's degree in Physics from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, followed by a Master's degree in Medical Physics from Duke University and a PhD in Nanoscience from the University at Albany (SUNY). Her academic and professional journey spans clinical practice, research, and education across internationally recognized institutions in Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Her research focuses on advancing radiation oncology through innovative technologies, including carbon-based nanomaterials for radiation dose enhancement, reconstructive jaw implant dosimetry, stereotactic radiosurgery, and global cancer care. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, conference proceedings, and scientific abstracts in leading international journals and has contributed to multidisciplinary research aimed at improving cancer treatment outcomes and expanding access to high-quality radiotherapy services worldwide.
An accomplished educator and mentor, Dr. Ashmeg plays a key role in the UPMC Medical Physics Residency Program, where she teaches, supervises residents, develops curricula, and mentors graduate students and early-career medical physicists. She also serves as a mentor for several international initiatives, including AAPM ICAMP and AMPERE, reflecting her longstanding commitment to professional development and capacity building in medical physics.

Dr. Ashmeg is an active leader within the global medical physics community. She holds leadership positions in multiple professional organizations, including the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the American Physical Society (APS), and several international education and leadership committees. She has been invited to speak and teach at numerous international conferences, workshops, and educational programs across North America, Africa, and the Middle East, with a strong focus on improving radiotherapy education and expanding access to quality cancer care in low- and middle-income countries.
Her contributions have been recognized through several prestigious honors, including the **Pittsburgh Courier's Women of Excellence Award (2025)**, as well as advanced executive certifications from Harvard Medical School in healthcare transformation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in healthcare. Dr. Ashmeg continues to combine clinical excellence, scientific innovation, education, and international collaboration to advance the field of medical physics and improve cancer care globally.

Dr. Biplab Sarkar is the Chief Medical Physicist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Apollo Multispeciality Hospital, Kolkata, India. With more than 19 years of clinical experience in medical physics, he is recognized for his expertise in radiation oncology, radiological physics, advanced radiotherapy techniques, quality assurance, dosimetry, and medical physics research.

Dr. Sarkar earned his Master's degree in Physics from the University of Calcutta and completed the prestigious Diploma in Radiological Physics (Dip. R.P.) from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. He subsequently obtained his Ph.D. from GLA University, Mathura, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree. He also served as a Junior Research Scholar at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, strengthening his foundation in scientific research and medical physics.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Sarkar has served at several leading cancer and tertiary care institutions across India, including Regional Cancer Centre Nagpur, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, AMRI Hospitals, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Manipal Hospitals, and Apollo Multispeciality Hospital. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he has over five years of university teaching experience in Medical Physics, contributing to the education and training of future medical physicists.

Dr. Sarkar is an accomplished researcher and academic with an outstanding publication record, including more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 95 conference abstracts and proceedings. He has delivered over 30 invited lectures and participated in more than 90 national and international scientific conferences and symposia. His research interests encompass radiation dosimetry, treatment planning, quality assurance, and innovations in radiotherapy, leading to several research grants, academic honors, and patented dosimetry technologies.

A respected member of the international scientific community, Dr. Sarkar serves as a reviewer for several high-impact journals, including *Scientific Reports*, *Medical Physics*, *Physica Medica*, *Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP)*, *Journal of Medical Physics*, *Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics*, and the *Journal of Clinical Neuroscience*. Through his clinical excellence, research contributions, academic leadership, and commitment to innovation, Dr. Sarkar continues to advance the field of medical physics and improve the quality and safety of radiation therapy for cancer patients.

•Dr. Dodul Mondal is a distinguished clinical oncologist specializing in high-precision radiation techniques, including Proton Beam Therapy, SRS, SBRT, IMRT, IGRT, and VMAT.
•He currently serves as the Director and Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India.
•He is a UICC Fellow and completed advanced fellowships in Precision Radiation Oncology and Proton Beam Therapy at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, USA, and trained as a visiting scholar at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
•Dr. Mondal has held key positions at leading institutions, including AIIMS Delhi (NCI), Tata Memorial Hospital, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, and Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.
•He is a member of several esteemed professional organizations such as MNAMS, AROI, ICRO, ASTRO, ESTRO, ESMO, ISO, and ISCO.
•Dr. Dodul Mondal has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the UICC-ICRETT Fellowship, travel grants from ICMR, CSIR, and the St. Gallen Cancer Committee, as well as several national honors and gold medals in recognition of his contributions to oncology and medical research.
•Dr. Mondal has contributed chapters to renowned oncology textbooks, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and serves as a reviewer for several international scientific publications.
•Beyond clinical practice, he is deeply engaged in community outreach, providing cancer awareness, free screening, and advisory services to underprivileged populations through his roles with various health foundations.

Dr. Drew Moghanaki is Professor, Chief of Thoracic Oncology, and the Stanley Iezman and Nancy Stark Endowed Chair in Thoracic Radiation Oncology Research at the UCLA Department of Radiation Oncology.

He is also the co-director of the Lung Precision Oncology Program at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, where he leads over $60 million in lung cancer early detection and clinical trial initiatives, including the Phase III VALOR randomized clinical trial comparing surgery versus SBRT, and the VA Partnership to Increase Access to Lung Screening (VA-PALS), which was the largest lung cancer early detection program in the VA from 2017-2022.

Dr. Mahmoud H. Younes is a distinguished medical physicist with over 20 years of international experience in radiation oncology, having worked across the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. He currently serves as the **Lead Medical Physicist at GenesisCare UK, Cromwell Hospital, London**, where he plays a pivotal role in delivering advanced radiotherapy services, including VMAT, SBRT, and SRS treatment planning, quality assurance, and the implementation of state-of-the-art radiotherapy technologies.

Dr. Younes earned his Bachelor's degree in Biophysics and Master's degree in Medical Biophysics from Ain Shams University, Egypt, before completing his PhD in Medical Physics at Al-Azhar University. He is a registered Clinical Scientist with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is also licensed as a Senior Medical Physicist by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialists, reflecting his commitment to the highest standards of clinical practice.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Younes served as a Senior Medical Physicist at King Khalid University Hospitals in Saudi Arabia and Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt. His extensive clinical expertise encompasses the commissioning of linear accelerators, CyberKnife systems, surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT), VMAT and IMRT implementation, shielding design, advanced dosimetry, radiotherapy quality assurance, brachytherapy, stereotactic techniques, and radiation safety.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Younes has trained junior medical physicists, radiation oncologists, and radiotherapy professionals while also serving as a radiation protection trainer. He has been actively involved in academic teaching and supervision, contributing to the development of future professionals in the field of medical physics.

Dr. Younes has made significant contributions to research in IMRT optimization, dosimetry, and advanced radiotherapy techniques through scientific publications, conference presentations, and authorship of a book on IMRT planning optimization. His work reflects a strong commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and advancing the quality and safety of cancer treatment. Through his leadership, technical expertise, and dedication to education, Dr. Younes continues to contribute to the advancement of modern radiotherapy and improved patient care worldwide.

Dr. Sayan Paul is a highly accomplished and nationally recognized Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist currently practicing at the Apollo Cancer Center, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals in Kolkata, India. With over 18 years of robust clinical and academic experience in Radiation Oncology, Dr. Paul has established himself as a prominent figure in the field of cancer care, advanced clinical research, and medical education.

Education and Advanced Training
Dr. Paul’s foundational medical journey began at the prestigious Medical College, Kolkata, where he earned his MBBS degree. He completed his post-graduate MD in Radiotherapy from King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, where his exceptional dedication and skill earned him the esteemed Best Resident Award. Furthering his academic credentials, he obtained his DNB in Radiation Oncology from the National Board of Examinations, India, and earned a Professional Diploma in Clinical Research (PDCR). He is also a member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (MNAMS).

To refine his clinical acumen, Dr. Paul pursued highly competitive senior residencies at premier Indian institutions, including:

Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

SGPGIMS, Lucknow

His expertise is globally informed, bolstered by prestigious international clinical fellowships under world-renowned pioneers:

Medical University of Vienna (AKH), Austria, training under Prof. Richard Pötter.

National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary, training under Prof. Csaba Polgár.

Career and Clinical Experience
Throughout his distinguished 18-year career, Dr. Paul has served at several of India's leading oncology centers. Before anchoring his practice in Kolkata, he was an Ex-Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist at the Apollo Cancer Institute, Apollo Health City Hospital in Hyderabad. His clinical journey also includes invaluable institutional experience at:

P. D. Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

Academic Contributions, Grants, and Global Recognition
Dr. Paul is a dedicated academician committed to advancing the global standard of oncology care. His international merit has been recognized through several prestigious honors from the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, including the ESTRO Clinical Fellowship, the ESTRO Educational Grant, and the ESTRO Technology Transfer Grant.

As a researcher and thought leader, Dr. Paul has contributed significantly to medical literature and education:

Publications: He has authored approximately 40 national and international publications and frequently presents his original research at major scientific conferences.

Editorial Leadership: He holds the distinct honor of being the First Indian Editor of the globally acclaimed The Bethesda Handbook of Clinical Oncology (South Asian Edition).

Teaching & Mentorship: Dr. Paul actively shapes the next generation of oncologists through his role as a Teaching Faculty member at the Indian College of Radiation Oncology and via his deep involvement in postgraduate training for MD and DNB candidates.

Dr. Sushil Beriwal is a radiation oncologist and academic leader, currently Professor and Academic Chief of Radiation Oncology at Allegheny Health Network & Drexel University and VP of Medical Affairs at Varian Medical Systems. He trained in India (MBBS, Calcutta University; MD, PGIMER Chandigarh) before completing his residency at MCP Hahnemann University Hospital and an Executive MBA at the University of Pittsburgh. From 2004–2021 he served as Medical Director at UPMC's Magee-Womens Hospital and has been Residency Program Director at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute since 2007. He has authored 395 peer-reviewed publications, 23 books/chapters, and 100+ conference papers, is a Fellow of ASTRO and ABS, received the ABS President's Award (2016), and serves as Associate Editor of the Red Journal. His expertise spans brachytherapy, gynecologic oncology, and stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT/SRS).

Dr. Samuel Chao is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, where he also serves as Vice Chair of Quality and Safety, Director of CNS Radiation Oncology, Associate Director of the Gamma Knife Center, and Section Head of the Center for Cerebral Radiation Necrosis within the Rose Ella Burkhart Brain Tumor and Neuro-oncology Center. He earned his Bachelor's degree in chemistry, with Honors and Distinction, from Stanford University, then attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University and stayed in Cleveland to train in radiation oncology at Cleveland Clinic, where he remains on staff. His clinical focus spans adult and pediatric brain tumors, brain metastases, heterotopic ossification, and stereotactic radiosurgery of the brain and spine (including Gamma Knife, IMRT, and image-guided techniques), while his research centers on quality of life and outcomes following radiation treatment for brain and spine tumors.

Marco Esposito is a medical physicist with over 15 years of experience in radiotherapy and MRI, currently serving as Head of Medical Physics Programs and Coordinator of the Master of Advanced Studies in Medical Physics at ICTP in Trieste, alongside an appointment as Adjunct Professor at the University of Trieste. He holds a PhD in Physics from Università degli Studi di Perugia (2005) and a Specialization in Medical Physics from Università degli Studi di Firenze (2009). Prior to his current role, he spent over a decade (2009–2023) as a Medical Physicist at the Central Tuscany Health Company in Florence, specializing in advanced radiotherapy techniques (IMRT, VMAT, SBRT/SRS, SGRT, gated treatments) and multiparametric MRI. He holds several leadership positions, including Chair of AAPM's Global Course Development and Implementation Sub-committee and AIFM's Working Group for EPID In-vivo Dosimetry, and previously chaired ESTRO's Working Group for QA and In-vivo Dosimetry. His research record includes 45 peer-reviewed publications (781 citations, h-index 18), and he serves on the editorial board of Strahlentherapie und Onkologie. He is a recipient of the Galileo Galilei Award.

Mark Burns is an accomplished Radiation Therapist and advanced practitioner based at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Australia, currently serving as Clinical Lead – Moorabbin, a role he has held since August 2014 overseeing rostering, workforce management, staff training, and planning technique development. His career with Peter MacCallum spans more than 18 years, beginning as an Intern Radiation Therapist in 2000, followed by a stint as Radiation Therapist (2001–2003), then a period working as a Senior Radiation Therapist across multiple UK departments (2003–2007), before returning to Peter MacCallum from 2008–2014 in Grade 3 and Team Leader roles. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiologic Technology/Science – Radiation Therapist from RMIT University (1997–1999). His expertise centers on image-guided treatment and SABR (stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy) planning, combined with strong clinical leadership experience across Australia and the UK.

Prof. Dr. Tomas Kron was born and educated in Germany, migrating to Australia in 1989 after completing his PhD to begin his career in radiotherapy physics. He has served as Director of Physical Sciences at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne since 2005, having previously worked at the London Regional Cancer Centre in Canada (2001–2005), where he contributed to commissioning one of the first Tomotherapy units. He is certified to practice as a radiation oncology medical physicist across Australasia, North America, and Europe, and holds honorary professorial appointments at Monash University, RMIT University, and the University of Wollongong. His research spans dosimetry of ionising radiation, image-guided radiotherapy, clinical trials, and medical physics education, reflected in over 230 peer-reviewed publications and roughly 80 invited conference presentations. He has contributed extensively to international education through IAEA consultancy roles and training programs, and sits on the editorial boards of several medical physics and radiation oncology journals. His honors include the Distinguished Services Award from the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (2013) and the Order of Australia Medal (2014) for services to medicine, research, and education.

Associate Professor Nicholas Hardcastle is a medical physicist and Research Lead at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Australia, a position he has held since 2017. He earned his PhD in Medical Physics from the University of Wollongong in 2010, followed by ACPSEM certification in Radiation Oncology Medical Physics from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2015. His career has spanned research roles at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Philips Radiation Oncology Systems in the US, as well as clinical positions at Northern Sydney Cancer Centre and Peter MacCallum. He holds concurrent academic appointments as Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong (since 2010), Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne (since 2020), and Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney (since 2016). His research and clinical work spans treatment planning, dosimetry, and AI applications in radiotherapy, reflected in 185 peer-reviewed publications, a Scopus h-index of 31, three patents, and numerous competitive grants. He is active in trial physics for several national clinical trials, chairs the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group's New Techniques and Technologies Committee, and serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology and Frontiers in Oncology.