Farrokh Dehdashti, MD, a professor of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR), has been named the inaugural Drs. Barry A. and Marilyn J. Siegel Professor in Radiology.

Dehdashti is credited with expanding the role of positron emission tomography (PET) in the field of oncology. She conducted some of the first studies in people of several novel PET diagnostic compounds related to several types of cancers, including cervical, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers.

Dehdashti was installed by then-Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor of Medicine.
“Drs. Barry and Marilyn Siegel are not only accomplished radiologists who have pushed the boundaries of scientific discovery to advance human health, they are also philanthropists who have given generously to support the future of medicine,” said Wrighton, who is now chancellor emeritus. “In addition to establishing this professorship, their gifts to the annual fund, lectureships and other needs at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and Washington University extend all the way back to 1973.”

While studying the role of steroid hormones in breast cancer, Dehdashti found that PET scans using a modified form of estrogen can be used to predict response to endocrine therapy. That work was groundbreaking in its potential to save patients from having to undergo numerous invasive biopsies and being treated with an ineffective endocrine therapy.

“Dr. Dehdashti is a gifted scientist who has made transformative contributions to diagnosing and treating cancer,” said Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. “She exemplifies our WashU mission to pursue excellence and improve lives. We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to recognize and support her outstanding work with this endowed professorship.”

Also a senior vice chair of radiology and director of the Division of Nuclear Medicine, Dehdashti leads a translational effort to use PET to detect low oxygen levels in tumors. Her work is driven by data showing that patients whose tumors have low oxygen levels are less likely to survive than those whose tumors have normal oxygen levels.

“As the Drs. Barry A. and Marilyn J. Siegel Professor of Radiology, Farrokh Dehdashti will have additional, lasting support to pursue knowledge and understand diseases in ways never before possible,” Perlmutter said. “I give my sincerest thanks to Marilyn and Barry Siegel for their special degree of devotion to Washington University School of Medicine and the work that is continually changing the future of medicine.”

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