The members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently elected four new officers to ASTRO’s Board of Directors: Catheryn M. Yashar, MD, FASTRO, President-Elect; Jonathan Strauss, MD, MBA, Secretary/Treasurer-Elect; Anita Mahajan, MD, FASTRO, Health Policy Council Vice Chair; and David J. Carlson, PhD, FASTRO, Science Council Vice Chair. These officers began their terms on September 30 at the 2025 ASTRO Annual Meeting. Dr. Yashar will take office as President-Elect and assume the Presidency in September 2026.
President-Elect: Dr. Yashar
Dr. Yashar is Professor of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), where she also serves as Chief Medical Officer and Associate Dean for UCSD Health. She specializes in brachytherapy and treating patients with breast and gynecologic cancers. Dr. Yashar currently serves on ASTRO’s Board as Health Policy Council Chair.
“As ASTRO President, I intend to amplify our specialty’s unique voice. By deepening collaboration with other disciplines, supporting research that transforms our field, and advocating for policies that reflect the true worth of our care, we can ensure radiation oncology remains at the forefront of patient-centered, outcome-driven medicine.” said Dr. Yashar.
Secretary/Treasurer-Elect: Dr. Strauss
Dr. Strauss is Professor of Radiation Oncology and medical education at Northwestern Medicine, where he specializes in treating patients with breast and gynecologic cancers and serves as the department’s Vice Chair of Operations. Dr. Strauss previously served on ASTRO’s Finance/Audit Committee and Payment Systems Committee and was President of the Chicago Radiological Society. As Secretary/Treasurer, Dr. Strauss will oversee ASTRO’s budget and work to ensure the society’s financial strength.
Health Policy Council Vice Chair: Dr. Mahajan
Dr. Mahajan is Professor of Radiation Oncology and Medical Director of Particle Therapy at the Mayo Clinic, where she specializes in pediatric oncology and treating patients with brain and spinal cord tumors. Dr. Mahajan has served as the current Chair of ASTRO’s Health Policy Committee, Vice Chair of its Code Development and Valuation Subcommittee, and former Vice Chair of its Payer Relations Subcommittee. During her Board tenure, Dr. Mahajan will help lead ASTRO’s efforts to secure stable, fair payment systems as well as support policies that curb prior authorization policies.
Science Council Vice Chair: Dr. Carlson
Dr. Carlson is Professor and Vice Chair of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale University and Director of Medical Physics in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Yale New Haven Health. His research focuses on understanding the biophysical mechanisms that determine patient response to radiation therapy and implementing novel technologies to improve cancer treatment outcomes. A longtime ASTRO volunteer, Dr. Carlson currently serves as Deputy Editor for the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics. In his new role, Dr. Carlson will help guide ASTRO’s scientific initiatives such as industry collaborations that address challenging research questions and funding opportunities that support early-career researchers.
