New Investigator Spotlight: Sophia Kamran, MD
September 18, 2024
Sophia Kamran, MD is a Radiation Oncologist and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kamran specializes in genitourinary (GU) cancer care with additional research aims focused on translational science in diverse populations. She is a member of the NRG Oncology GU Cancer Committee and is the 2023 recipient of the NRG Oncology Health Equity Fellowship supported by RTOG Foundation. Dr. Kamran is an Associate Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. She was the 2024 Co-Chair of the Renal and Rare Tumors Track for the ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium and the Organizing Chair for the 2023 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy Meeting. Dr. Kamran is on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) P01 Massachusetts General Hospital Internal Steering Committee, serves on the Editorial Board for Clinical Genitourinary Cancer, is a GU Associate Section Editor for Practical Radiation Oncology, and serves on the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Workforce Diversity Committee and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Q: What kind of research are you currently engaged with?
A: As a GU radiation oncologist and translational researcher, I am focusing on harnessing computational/bioinformatics approaches to discover genomic and molecular predictors of response to radiation and characterize mechanisms of resistance. My goal is to design clinical trials investigating genomically-guided/biomarker-guided radiation therapy to deliver optimal doses in combination with appropriate systemic therapy for improved outcomes. Separately, I have an interest in dissecting translational science in diverse populations, ensuring that these populations are not left behind in the fields of translational and personalized oncology.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment so far in regard to your research/career?
A: I would say that, as of now, it is most fulfilling to advocate for my patients and get them the care they need. Every patient case is an accomplishment, as I know how frightening it can be to go through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. I have also started to successfully mentor students and trainees through research projects and career development, which makes me proud in a different way, as I remember how grateful I was to receive mentorship from others, and I would not be where I currently am without their guidance. Finally, and most personally, I applied for a DOD Prostate Cancer Idea Development Award as a New Investigator last year while I was pregnant with my first baby. It was challenging to navigate the paperwork (and general fatigue that came with the pregnancy) but was happy to successfully submit. I am most grateful to have been awarded the grant and be able to continue my work, which I received shortly after my baby was born. I am now enjoying the challenge of balancing motherhood with expansion of my research group!
Q: What are you most interested in achieving through your research/career?
A: As mentioned above, I am hopeful that we can improve upon personalization of radiation therapy recommendations for individual patients. I am hoping to one day design and open clinical trials that use biomarkers/genomics to guide radiation therapy decisions to improve upon outcomes for our patients. Separately, regarding my research on diversity of biospecimens used for biomarker discovery, I hope to increase awareness of this issue, which may lead to policy changes, or modifications of clinical trial and/or biorepository design, so that all populations are represented for downstream translational discovery.
Q: What inspired you to become involved in cancer research and/or specifically your field?
A: As an engineer by training (I attended MIT for undergraduate studies), I was drawn to the new technologies and imaging/radiation physics of the field. I was also interested in oncology based on my experiences with my mother, who unfortunately had several bouts of cancer and passed away recently from pancreatic cancer. My early experiences as a young girl interacting with her oncology team were both comforting and inspiring – I knew I wanted to have a career that had a focus in cancer. Hence, radiation oncology was the best fit that combined all my interests. I also knew that I wanted to push the field forward through research, and with all the exciting advances that are being discovered daily, we can use research and technology to continuously strive to improve outcomes for our patients.
Q: What has been your experience engaging in the Radiation Oncology community and with RTOGF?
A: As a radiation oncologist, I am very engaged in the Radiation Oncology community, as I participate in multiple organizations and with our premier radiation oncology society, ASTRO. I am a part of the NRG Oncology GU Committee, and my experience with RTOGF is through both NRG as well as my NRG Health Equity Fellowship that I received in 2023. This has been a wonderful experience thus far and I am so grateful for the support from RTOGF for the opportunity to pursue my research interests within NRG Oncology and ensure that research protocols, particularly with an emphasis on biospecimen collection, are thoughtful and equitable to ensure that underserved communities are adequately represented.