Monday, September 29, 2025
Anchorage, Alaska | Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center
Program Overview
This full-day session will focus on radioisotopes for theranostics, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities in translating isotopes from preclinical research to clinical applications. Attendees will explore emerging isotopes, supply chain issues, and strategies to fund clinical adoption. The session will feature expert presentations, a panel discussion on barriers to translation, interactive breakout sessions, and a poster session to showcase the latest research.
AGENDA
PART ONE: PRESENTATIONS
10:00 – 10:15 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:15 – 10:45 AM | Keynote Presentation – The Future of Theranostic Radioisotopes
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Advancing Theranostics with Novel Radionuclides
PART TWO: DISCUSSIONS
12:15 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break & Networking & Posters
1:15 – 2:30 PM | Panel Discussion – Barriers to Translation: Emerging and Future Isotopes
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Break
2:45 – 3:45 PM | Breakout Sessions I – Interactive Discussions
3:45 – 4:00 PM | Break
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Breakout Sessions II – Interactive Discussions
5:00 – 5:30 PM | Closing Remarks and Next Steps
5:30 – 6:30 PM | Poster Session & Networking Reception
PART 1: PRESENTATIONS
10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:15 – 10:45 | Keynote Presentation – Clinical Theranostics on the Horizon
Speaker: Jonathan E. McConathy, MD PhD
Director, Advanced Imaging Facility, Director, Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics
Professor, Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics,
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. McConathy joined UAB Department of Radiology in December 2015 and serves as the Director of the Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics. In addition to clinical practice in Nuclear Medicine, he remains actively involved in the development and application of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for oncology and neuroimaging as well as the use of simultaneous PET/MRI for both clinical indications and research.
10:45 – 12:15 | Advancing Theranostics with Novel Radionuclides
Topic: Future Cyclotron-produced Isotopes
Speaker: Suzanne Lapi, PhD
Vice Chair, Research,
Director, Cyclotron Facility,
Director, Radiochemistry Laboratory,
Co-leader, Experimental Therapeutics Program, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center,
Professor, Advanced Imaging Facility, Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Dr. Lapi’s research interests are in the development and translation of new PET radionuclides and molecular imaging agents. In particular, she has an active program investigating 89Zr radiolabeled antibodies as molecular imaging agents in preclinical and clinical trials in oncology. Her other main area of research interest is in the development of new isotopes for PET imaging such as 45Ti and 43Sc.
Topic: Auger Dosimetry
Speaker: Roger Howell, PhD
Distinguished Professor,
Chief, Division of Radiation Research,
Chair, Radiation Safety Committee RBHS
Rutgers University
Dr. Howell has authored over 100 scientific publications on radiation dosimetry and radiobiology of internal radionuclides, including two books and two patents. Professor Howell serves on the Society of Nuclear Medicine’s Medical Internal Radiation Dose Committee. He has served on committees for NCRP Report 167 Potential impact of individual genetic susceptibility and previous radiation exposure on radiation risk for astronauts, ICRU Report 67 Absorbed dose specification in nuclear medicine, ICRU Report 86 Quantification and reporting of low-dose and other heterogeneous exposures, and he serves on the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements.
Topic: Auger Preclinical Research
Speaker: Jean-Pierre Pouget, PhD
Research Director, Team Leader
French National Institute for Health and Medical research (INSERM)
Dr. Jean-Pierre Pouget obtained his PhD in Radiobiology from the Curie Institute in Paris and performed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Nuclear Medicine Research Laboratory at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. He then joined the French Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (IRSN) and subsequently the French National Institute for Health and Medical research (INSERM) where he now is team leader of the Radiobiology and Targeted Radiotherapy group at the Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier. Dr. Pouget’s research focuses on the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging and therapy, unravelling the role of targeted (radiative) and non-targeted (bystander and systemic) effects of molecular radiotherapy involving intercellular communications and/or the involvement of the immune system. He has published more than 90 papers and book chapters on topics in radiobiology and radionuclide therapy and several patents.
Topic: Astatine Applications
Speaker: Tadashi Watabe, MD PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology
Osaka University
Dr. Tadashi Watabe is an Associate Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Radiology at Osaka University. He serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) for a physician-initiated clinical trial on targeted alpha therapy using astatine (At-211). Currently, two clinical trials are underway at Osaka University Hospital. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, focusing primarily on the preclinical development of targeted alpha therapies using At-211 and Ac-225, as well as theranostics related to FAPI and LAT1.
Topic: Gene and Cell Therapies in Theranostics: Advancing Gene Therapy with Auger, Gamma, and Alpha Particle Emitters
Speaker: Juri Gelovani, MD PhD
Advisor to the Provost
United Arab Emirates University
Juri George Gelovani received an M.D. degree in 1986, at the age of 22, and a Ph.D. degree in 1990, at the age of 26, both from the University of Tartu (Estonia), specializing in Neurosurgery. In 1991-1996, He was a Fellow in Neuro-Oncology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY), then Assistant Professor (1996), and Associate Professor (1999). In 2003, he joined the MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) as Professor and Chair of Experimental Imaging and Director Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging Research (CABIR). In 2012, he moved to Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), as a Professor of Oncology and Neurosurgery, Chair of Biomedical Engineering, and Leader of the Molecular Imaging Program at Karmanos Cancer Institute. In 2020, Dr. Gelovani joined the United Arab Emirates University (Al Ain, UAE) as an Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Currently, Prof. Gelovani serves as an Advisor to the Provost at UAEU
PART 2: DISCUSSIONS
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break & Networking & Posters
Enjoy a boxed lunch while browsing insightful posters showcasing the latest innovations from our abstract submitters and industry partners. Discover new ideas, make valuable connections, and gain inspiration from leaders in your field.
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM | Panel Discussion – Barriers to Translation: Emerging and Future Isotopes
Moderators: Martin Pomper, Valery Radchenko, and Charles Manning
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Break
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Breakout Sessions I – Interactive Discussions
| Attendee choice of one interactive discussion: | ||
| A) Isotope Supply Chain & Emerging Isotopes | B) Use of AI & Dosimetry in Theranostics | C) Funding Strategies: VC’s, Grant Opportunities, and Industry-Academic Collaborations |
4:00 – 5:00PM | Breakout Sessions II – Interactive Discussions
| Attendee choice of one interactive discussion: | ||
| A) Isotope Supply Chain & Emerging Isotopes | B) Use of AI & Dosimetry in Theranostics | C) Funding Strategies: VC’s, Grant Opportunities, and Industry-Academic Collaborations |
5:00 – 5:30 PM | Closing Remarks and Next Steps
5:30 – 6:30 PM | Poster Session & Networking Reception
Engage with presenters, continue insightful discussions from the breakout sessions, and connect with industry leaders and potential collaborators in a relaxed networking environment. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.