Dr. Amar Kishan, professor and executive vice chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and co-director of the cancer molecular imaging, nanotechnology and theranostics program at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Steven A. Leibel Memorial Award, one of the most distinguished honors in radiation oncology.
Presented by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the American Board of Radiology (ABR) Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding principal investigators within the first decade of their careers following board certification. Kishan was selected for his pioneering research and leadership in advancing radiation treatments for cancers of the genitourinary system, particularly prostate and bladder cancers.
“This award is a tremendous honor, and I am grateful to ASTRO and the ABR Foundation for this recognition,” said Kishan. “It has been a distinct honor and privilege to spend the past eight years on faculty at UCLA building a robust clinical and translational research program.”
Kishan, who oversees clinical and translational research and is the chief of the genitourinary oncology service, is internationally recognized for his expertise in advanced radiation techniques, including stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and MRI-guided radiation therapy. He has led multiple landmark clinical trials, including the MIRAGE study, the LUNAR trial, and the newly launched HEATWAVE trial. In addition, he has published more than 310 peer-reviewed manuscripts in leading journals such as JAMA, The Lancet Oncology, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
He also leads an active translational research program focused on improving outcomes for patients with prostate cancer, with an emphasis on both enhancing treatment effectiveness and reducing side effects after therapy.
His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Prostate Cancer Foundation, and other leading organizations. In recognition of his compassionate care and mentorship, Dr. Kishan has also received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2021) and the UCLA Exceptional Physician Award (2024).
“Dr. Kishan’s leadership, scientific rigor, and commitment to improving outcomes for patients with prostate and bladder cancers exemplify UCLA’s mission to drive innovation in cancer research and care,” said Dr. Michael Steinberg, professor and chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of Clinical Affairs at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “We are proud to see him recognized with this prestigious national honor.”