"Honorary Membership is the highest designation ASTRO can confer upon a leader in a discipline other than radiation oncology," said Theodore S. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., ASTRO Chair. "Dr. Mahoney has done an outstanding job of supporting the radiation sciences research community and I can't think of a more deserving individual."
Dr. Mahoney has been involved in radiation research since he began his graduate work at University of Rochester, receiving an M.S. in Radiation Biology in 1958. He has spent most of his career at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Since 1972, he has served as Program Director for Radiation and Chief of the Radiotherapy Development Branch, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis at the National Cancer Institute. In this capacity, Dr. Mahoney has been responsible for administering a diverse portfolio of radiation research grants.
"I consider myself a facilitator in that I help scientists obtain funding for their research. My background is in radiation and the radiation research community is what I know best," said Dr. Mahoney. "It's an honor to receive this distinction from such a great organization – over the years I've enjoyed working with the academic side of this specialty, watching numerous neophytes develop into outstanding researchers."
Dr. Mahoney received his doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1968 and prior to working at NIH, he spent three years as a Research Physicist for the United States Army at Natick Labs in Natick, Mass. When he first came to NIH, Dr. Mahoney worked as a Grants Associate in a training program that prepared him for a career in science administration.
A photo of Dr. Mahoney is available by contacting Nick Lashinsky at nickl@astro.org or 1-800-962-7876. For more information on ASTRO or its Annual Meeting, please visit www.astro.org.
Media interested in registering for ASTRO's 47th Annual Meeting, scheduled for October 16-20, 2005, in Denver should visit http://www.astro.org/annual_meeting/media_corner/ or call 1-800-962-7876.
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment.