WashU Medicine radiation oncologist Carmen Bergom, MD, PhD, a renowned research member of Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, has been named a fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
The honor recognizes ASTRO members’ outstanding achievements and contributions to the organization, cancer research, education and patient care. Bergom and other newly named fellows will be recognized at ASTRO’s 68th Annual Meeting in Boston on Sept. 29.
“The 2026 ASTRO Fellows reflect the depth and breadth of leadership in radiation medicine,” said ASTRO CEO Vivek S. Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO. “Their careers demonstrate the many ways ASTRO members move our field forward through discovery, clinical excellence, education, mentorship and service. We are proud to recognize this distinguished class.”
ASTRO is the world’s largest professional society dedicated to advancing radiation medicine, with 10,000 members, including physicians, nurses, physicists, radiation therapists and dosimetrists, who work to improve patient outcomes through clinical care, research, education and advocacy.
Bergom, an associate professor of radiation oncology who joined the WashU Medicine faculty in 2020, treats breast cancer patients at Siteman Cancer Center. She also is an R01-funded investigator focused on increasing the therapeutic ration of radiation therapy by improving the effectiveness of radiation therapy and decreasing side effects.
Bergom’s research specifically focuses on identifying the mechanisms of radiation-induced cardiac and lung dysfunction to better diagnosis, prevent and treat these toxicities. Her work is examining potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets that may enhance tumor responses to radiation therapy and minimize radiation-induced cardiac and lung dysfunction.
Bergom’s leadership in the field extends beyond her research. She also serves as vice chair of the ASTRO Science Steering Committee and is a lead writer for the Pathology subgroup of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) CircuDis project, the reports of which are used by governments and agencies around the world to set radiation protection standards.
In 2021, Bergom received the Michael Fry Research Award from the Radiation Research Society. The award recognizes one junior scientist each year who has made extraordinary contributions to the field of radiation research.
Learn more about Bergom’s lab and research.