Radiation Oncology and Radiation Biology

Joel S. Greenberger, MD is Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

• 1. Evolution of Radioresistance on Earth:  From Single Cell Organisms to Humans.- 2. Adaptation to Low Dose Rate Background Irradiation: Continuous Radiation Exposure Based On Geographic Location on Earth Relative to Other Sources/Hazards of Radiation.- 3. Genetic Mediators of Radiation Sensitivity and Radiation Resistance.- 4. Approaches to Understanding Radiobiologic Consequences of Space Travel:  Shuttle Missions, International Space Station, NASA Approach to Research TRISH Programs.- 5. Strategies for Radioprotection of Astronauts.- 6. Prolonged Effects of Physiological Change, Psycho-Social Stress, Zero Gravity, Alterations in the Intestinal Microbiome, and Metabolism on the Response to Space Irradiation.- 7. Lunar Exploration and Lessons Learned.- 8. The Mars Mission Data from Curiosity Rover Measuring Radiation Exposure.- 9. Challenges with Spacecraft Design to Deal with Ionizing Irradiation: Solar Proton Events, Galactic Cosmic Irradiation, and Neutron Irradiation from Interaction with Components of the Spacecraft.- 10. Rationale for the Opinion that Humans Can Never Live Outside the Earth.- 11. Genetic Engineering of Radioresistant Organisms.- 12. Other Strategies in Genetic Engineering and Genetic Alterations for Ionizing Irradiation Adaptation.- 13. Cryopreservation for Long-Term Space Flight.- 14. Identification and Management of Radiation Late Effects in Humans.- 15. Challenges for Future Study of the Late Effects of Therapeutic Radiation in Cancer Survivors and Also Their Progeny.- 16. Lessons Learned from the Management and Prevention of Clinical Radiation Late Effects.- 17. Radiation Countermeasures:  An Emerging Scientific Field Based Upon Concerns for Nuclear Reactor Accidents and Radiation Terrorism.- 18. Medical Consequences of Exposure to Ionizing Irradiation, High Dose Rate Fission or Fusion Bomb, Isotopic Fallout, and the Effects of Radiation Countermeasures.- 19. Combined Injuries Added to Acute and Chronic Effects of Radiation Exposure:  Both Medical Radiotherapy and Radiation Environmental Radiation Exposure.- 20. The Future of Radiation Oncology and the Physicians/Scientists/Radiobiologists.