Los Angeles —The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) recognized six new Fellows today during a plenary session at the society’s 2026 Annual Meeting, held May 30 through June 2. Established in 2016, the SNMMI Fellowship recognizes distinguished service to the society as well as exceptional achievement in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. It is among the most prestigious honors for long-time SNMMI members.
Members honored as SNMMI Fellows at the meeting include:
- Gholam Reza Berenji, MS, MD. Berenji is director of nuclear cardiology at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and adjunct professor at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. He serves on multiple SNMMI councils and centers of excellence, including the Academic Council, Cardiovascular Council, PET Center of Excellence, and Therapy Center of Excellence, and contributes to several committees.
- Mehdi Djekidel, MD. Djekidel is associate professor of radiology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and attending physician of diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at Northwell Health in Manhasset, New York. He has served on numerous councils and committees, including the Theranostics Leadership & Organizational Group and the Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Registry Oversight, Government Relations, and Brain Imaging Outreach committees.
- Giuseppe Esposito, MD, MBA. Esposito is chief of nuclear medicine at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital and professor of radiology and co-director of nuclear medicine services at the Medstar Medical Group Radiology in Washington, D.C. He has served on the SNMMI Board of Directors and House of Delegates and has been active on multiple committees. He currently chairs the SNMMI Scientific Program and Education Committee.
- Homer Macapinlac, MD, FACNM. Macapinlac is professor of cancer imaging systems and holds the James E. Anderson Distinguished Professorship of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has been a longtime leader within the SNMMI PET Center of Excellence, serving in many capacities, including as president.
- John Prior, PhD, MD, FEBNM. Prior is professor and head of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging at Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland. He has contributed to the society, its councils, and its centers as a leader, active participant and organizer. He has also been an active contributor to SNMMI education as a speaker and co-organizer of Annual Meeting sessions.
- Josh Mailman, MBA (Honorary Fellow). Mailman is an internationally recognized advocate for neuroendocrine tumor patients and for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. He served as the inaugural chair of SNMMI’s Patient Advocacy Advisory Board and is a recipient of the SNMMI Presidential Distinguished Service Award.
- Libero (Lou) Marzella, MD, PhD, is past director of the Division of Imaging and Radiation Medicine at FDA, where he helped shape radiopharmaceutical regulations for PET drug development for nearly two decades. He has been a trusted colleague and active contributor to SNMMI, engaging the nuclear medicine community through Annual Meeting sessions, workshops, and substantive exchange.
In keeping with tradition, SNMMI’s 2025-26 president, Jean-Luc Urbain, MD, PhD, will be honored as an SNMMI Fellow following his term. Urbain has held numerous leadership roles within the society and has contributed extensively to education, research and international collaboration in nuclear medicine.
Selection of SNMMI Fellows is based on documented excellence of volunteer service to the society and excellence in at least one of the additional three areas: scientific discovery and innovation, educational efforts, or clinical practice. SNMMI Fellowship is recognized with the designation FSNMMI.
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About the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics—precision medicine that allows diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. For more information, visit snmmi.org.