Guillem Pratx is a distinguished medical physicist renowned for his innovative contributions to radiation oncology and cancer imaging. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics at Stanford University where he leads the Physical Oncology Laboratory dedicated to developing novel physical approaches for solving longstanding oncological challenges. Originally from France he completed his engineering studies at Ecole Centrale Paris before pursuing his doctoral work at Stanford University earning a PhD in Electrical Engineering with a focus on developing instruments and algorithms for in vivo cancer imaging. His academic journey has been marked by a consistent commitment to bridging engineering principles with clinical applications establishing him as a leading figure in translational medical physics.
Dr. Pratx's pioneering research has transformed the field of molecular imaging through his development of single-cell radionuclide imaging techniques that measure the uptake of clinical PET tracers in heterogeneous cell populations enabling more precise biological interpretations of imaging data. His laboratory has made significant advances in in vivo cancer imaging creating novel approaches such as XLCT which uses X-ray to stimulate optical emission in living organisms and developing methods for whole-body cell tracking that hold promise for regenerative medicine applications. The lab's investigations into the radiochemical foundations of ultra-high dose rate FLASH radiotherapy have positioned them at the forefront of efforts to improve therapeutic ratios in radiation treatment potentially revolutionizing cancer care. With over 90 peer-reviewed publications and more than 6,300 citations according to Google Scholar his research has established fundamental methodologies that are advancing both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic approaches in oncology. His work on developing assays to assess uptake of clinical PET tracers in organoids and 3D tumor models represents a critical step toward personalized cancer treatment strategies.
Recognized for his exceptional contributions Dr. Pratx was honored as a Damon Runyon Innovator and received the Society of Nuclear Medicine Young Investigator Award underscoring his impact on the field of nuclear medicine and radiation oncology. His research program has secured substantial funding from prestigious sources including the National Institutes of Health the Department of Defense and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine enabling continued exploration of physical approaches to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment. Current research directions in the Physical Oncology Laboratory focus on developing improved imaging biomarkers that can scale from patient tumors to laboratory organoids expanding the potential for precision medicine applications. As his work continues to bridge the gap between physical sciences and clinical oncology Dr. Pratx remains poised to drive further innovations that will shape the future of precision cancer medicine through his unique interdisciplinary approach.
