Neha Vapiwala, MD, FACR, FASTRO, FASCO

Neha Vapiwala, MD, FACR, FASTRO, FASCO, is the Eli J. Glatstein, MD Endowed Professor and vice chair of education, Department of Radiation Oncology, and dean of admissions, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She specializes in the treatment of patients with genitourinary (GU) cancers, serving as the Department of Radiation Oncology's first chief of GU oncology.

Dr Vapiwala earned her undergraduate degree with a double major in biology and Hispanic studies from Johns Hopkins University, graduating a year early to teach high school science and algebra prior to matriculating at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine as a Twenty-First Century Scholar. She completed her residency training at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as chief resident before joining the faculty.

She has led multiple prospective clinical trials and is the national principal investigator of a cooperative group, phase 3, randomized, clinical trial investigating positron emission tomography–guided systemic- and metastasis-directed treatment intensification in patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer.

Dr Vapiwala also holds leadership positions in multiple societies, boards, and committees, including the National Cancer Institute Prostate Task Force, the JAMA Oncology Editorial Board, and the American Board of Radiology Certifying Exam GU Committee. She is cochair of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group GU Early Modality Committee and immediate past chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Finance/Audit Committee. She is also the newly appointed president-elect of ASTRO and an elected member of the American Society of Oncology Nominating Committee.

In addition to her work in oncology, Dr Vapiwala is a recognized leader in undergraduate and graduate medical education, including her current role as the dean of admissions at the Perelman School of Medicine. She previously served as president of the national Association for Directors of Radiation Oncology Programs and as chair of the national Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Residency Review Committee for Radiation Oncology.