Stanford University's Medical Department names Umar Mahmood as the new head of the radiology department

Umar Mahmood Appointed as Chair of Department of Radiology at Stanford Medicine

Umar Mahmood, a renowned figure in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, has been appointed as the chair of the department of radiology at Stanford Medicine, effective from February 1, 2026. Mahmood is currently serving as the president of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the chief of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston.

Mahmood's extensive career in medical research has earned him recognition from both RSNA and Stanford. His appointment has been noted in separate announcements by both institutions, highlighting his research focus on translational efforts to better understand drivers of cancer, including the tumor microenvironment, cancer signaling pathways, changes in cancer metabolism, and the interaction of the immune system with tumors.

Over the past 30 years, Mahmood's primary research has been in molecular imaging and its application to guide precision medicine. He has conducted PET, optical, and MR imaging research during his more than 25 years at MGH.

Mahmood's research has been funded by over $25 million in grant funding as principal investigator, primarily from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has also held numerous leadership positions in the medical research community, including chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the Clinical Center of the NIH, member of the board of directors of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research.

Since completing his radiology residency at MGH in 2001, Mahmood has served on the faculty at MGH and Harvard Medical School. He completed his doctoral and postdoctoral work in tumor physiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, achieved his medical degree and doctorate in biophysics and physiology from Cornell University, and earned his bachelor's degree from the California Institute of Technology.

Stanford noted in an announcement that throughout his career, Mahmood has demonstrated unwavering support for mentoring the next generation of physician scientists. He is also the director of the Center for Precision Imaging at MGH.

Umar Mahmood will take the helm at Stanford Medicine as healthcare enters "a period of rapid change." The theme for RSNA 2025, selected by Mahmood, is "Imaging the Individual." This marks the completion of Mahmood's term as its president.

However, there is no available information in the provided search results about when Mahmood took his radiology professorship at Stanford University before becoming RSNA president. Despite this gap in information, Mahmood's impressive career and contributions to the field of medical research are undeniable.

Stanford University's Medical Department names Umar Mahmood as the new head of the radiology department