Catheryn Yashar, M.D. - 2025 Recipient

Professor & Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Division of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, Chief Medical Officer, Health System, UC San Diego

The 2025 Duane Roth Achievement Award will be presented at the 21st Annual Industry/Academia Precision Oncology & RadMed Symposium on November 5, 2025.

Catheryn M. Yashar, MD, is a trailblazing radiation oncologist, academic leader, and health policy innovator. As Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs in the Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences at UC San Diego, Chief of the Breast Cancer Section, and a member of the Gynecologic Cancer Treatment Team, she combines world-class clinical excellence with visionary institutional leadership. She also serves as Chief Medical Officer of UC San Diego Health.

Dr. Yashar is widely recognized for pushing the frontiers of cancer care. She has pioneered novel brachytherapy techniques for breast and gynecologic cancers, and is an expert in advanced modalities such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Her work has consistently focused on delivering precision treatments that spare healthy tissue, reduce complications, and enhance patient outcomes.

In September 2026, Dr. Yashar will become the President of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), having been appointed president-elect in recognition of her leadership in the field. ASTRO is the international voice for radiation oncology, representing more than 10,000 physicians, physicists, biologists, and radiation therapists. Her election underscores her commitment to aligning innovation, equity, and evidence-based practice in cancer care. A powerful voice in health policy, Dr. Yashar currently chairs ASTRO’s Health Policy Council and has been a key supporter of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act, which endeavors to modernize reimbursement structures to support guideline-driven care and maintain access for underserved populations.

She holds leadership and editorial roles across national organizations: past President of the American Brachytherapy Society, member of the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), and trustee of the American Board of Radiology. She is a fellow of ACRO, ABS, the American College of Radiology (ACR), and ASTRO. As Senior Editor for Advances in Radiation Oncology (gynecologic cancers), Gynecologic Cancer Editor for UpToDate, and co-editor of Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology, she shapes the scholarly discourse in her field. Her scholarly output exceeds 100 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and reviews.

At UC San Diego, Dr. Yashar has chaired several high-impact committees, including the Medical School Curriculum Committee, Moores Cancer Committee, Credentialing Committee, and Council on Education Policy. She has been honored repeatedly as a “Top Doctor” by San Diego Magazine and is a sought-after speaker at international oncology symposia.

Catheryn Yashar, M.D. - 2025 Recipient

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