On March 6, 2026, the University of Florida College of Medicine Alan H. Porter, M.D., & Claudia B. Porter, R.N., Department of Radiation Oncology hosted the 56th Annual Radiation Oncology Research Seminar at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville.
The event brought together some 120 physicians, researchers, residents, nurses, radiation therapists, and allied health professionals for a day of scientific exchange, clinical education, and multidisciplinary collaboration focused on improving cancer care.
Now in its sixth decade, the annual seminar continues to provide a platform for sharing advances in radiation oncology, clinical outcomes, and emerging technologies across a broad range of cancers, including breast, lung, head and neck, and pediatric malignancies.
The 2026 program featured two concurrent educational tracks: one focused on physician-scientist research and the other designed for radiation therapists and oncology nurses, engaging all attendees with the latest developments in the field.
Dr. Alan Porter, who, along with his wife Claudia, is a longtime benefactor and supporter of the department, gave a warm welcome to all attendees before the Keynote Address.
Keynote Address: The Promise of Minibeam Radiotherapy
The day opened with breakfast and networking before attendees gathered for the plenary session and keynote address delivered by Robert W. Mutter, MD, Chair of Research and Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Mutter’s keynote presentation, “Tiny Beams, Big Impact: The Science and Promise of Minibeam Radiotherapy,” explored emerging radiotherapy techniques designed to enhance tumor control while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The talk highlighted the growing role of biological insight and advanced delivery techniques in shaping the next generation of radiation therapy.
Physician Scientist Session Highlights
The morning Physician Scientist session showcased research from UF faculty and investigators exploring clinical outcomes, translational science, and treatment innovation.
Presentations by residents Tony Casper, DO (Outcomes of Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated with Proton Beam Radiotherapy) and Erica Braschi, MD (Navigating Noes: Outcomes of Proton Therapy for Regional Nodal Irradiation in Breast Cancer) received Resident Awards in recognition of outstanding research and excellence in presentation.
The afternoon session continued with presentations addressing cancer biology, imaging, and clinical trial design. Topics included HPV-associated tumor radiosensitivity, the role of breast MRI in cancer workups, clinical trial engagement in proton therapy research, and radiation treatment outcomes in veterinary oncology.
Additional talks explored surgical and treatment-delivery benchmarks for advanced head and neck cancers in the era preceding immunotherapy, demonstrating the wide spectrum of research interests represented across the department.
Multidisciplinary Panel on De-intensifying Breast Cancer Care
A highlight of the seminar was the special multidisciplinary panel discussion held for all attendees: “De-intensifying multidisciplinary care while maintaining control of favorable early-stage breast cancer.”
Distinguished panelists led by Keynote Speaker Robert W. Mutter, MD were:
- Julie Bradley, MD, MHCDS – UF Department of Radiation Oncology
- Nancy Mendenhall, MD, FACR, FASTRO – UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
- Lisa R. P. Spiguel, MD – UF Health Breast Center
- Coy Heldermon, MD, PhD – UF Division of Hematology and Oncology
The discussion examined how advances in imaging, systemic therapy, and radiation techniques may allow clinicians to safely reduce treatment intensity while preserving excellent disease control and patient quality of life.
Radiation Therapist and Oncology Nursing Program
Running concurrently with the physician program, the Radiation Therapists’ and Oncology Nursing Seminar focused on patient care, clinical innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration in radiation oncology practice.
Key presentations included:
- “Healing on All Fronts: Managing Radiation Skin Effects in Breast Cancer and the Role of Diet During and After Treatment” – Jaime Levitt, APRN; Ashton Monismith, RN, BSN, CCRP; and Debra Hutchinson, MSN, RN, OCN
- “Update on Evidence for the Use of Proton Therapy in Pediatric Brain Tumors” – Daniel Indelicato, MD
- “Avoiding Common Errors during Radiation Treatment” – Daniela Martir, MD, and Erica Braschi, MD
Additional sessions addressed quality assurance in radiation therapy, psychosocial factors affecting cancer treatment, and strategies to improve patient outcomes and safety throughout the treatment process.
“The UF Radiation Oncology Research Seminar remains a cornerstone event for sharing discoveries and shaping the future of radiation oncology, and we are very proud to continue this tradition in the years ahead,” said Professor William M. Mendenhall, MD, FACR.
