Dr. Quynh-Thu Le Awarded ASTRO Gold Medal
Quynh-Thu Le, MD, Interim Chair of the Department of Radiology, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and the Katharine Dexter McCormick & Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor, has been awarded the Gold Medal Award by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) - the highest honor bestowed by the society. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field through research, clinical care, teaching, and service.
A respected leader in radiation oncology, Dr. Le has contributed extensively to the field through her clinical, research, and professional society work. Her clinical expertise centers on treating head and neck cancer (HNC), where she has led multi-center phase II and III clinical trials to test novel therapeutic combinations, radiosensitizers, and radioprotectors. In the lab, she conducts translational research to address critical challenges seen in the clinic by exploring regenerative therapies for salivary gland damage caused by radiation, biomarkers for prognosis and treatment resistance, and innovative approaches targeting the tumor microenvironment, particularly Galectin-1, in HNC.
Beyond her research and clinical contributions, Dr. Le plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of cancer care through leadership in national oncology networks. She co-chairs the NRG Oncology Group of the NCI-sponsored National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and previouslychaired the NRG Head and Neck Cancer Committee for a decade. These roles have positioned her at the forefront of practice-changing clinical trials that define new standards of care.
Her contributions have been recognized through awards from American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and election as a fellow into major professional bodies including the American College of Radiology (ACR), the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). She also received the Caltech Distinguished Alumni Award, one of the institution’s highest honors.
Dr. Le’s ASTRO Gold Medal not only celebrates a career of excellence, but also reflects her deep and continuing commitment to advancing patient care, mentoring future leaders, and shaping the science that defines the field of radiation oncology.
The 2025 Gold Medalists will be presented with ASTRO’s highest honor during the Awards Ceremony on September 30 at this year’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco.