Los Angeles—In a distinguished ceremony at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2026 Annual Meeting, six eminent professionals were inducted as new SNMMI Fellows, an accolade that honors exceptional contributions to nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Since its inception in 2016, the SNMMI Fellowship has become one of the most prestigious recognitions awarded to members who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to advancing the field through service, innovation, education, and clinical excellence.
The SNMMI Fellowship reflects a rigorous selection process that emphasizes not only distinguished volunteer service to the society but also outstanding achievement in scientific discovery, educational impact, or clinical practice. These criteria ensure that the honorees represent the pinnacle of expertise and leadership, fostering the ongoing evolution of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging techniques that are central to modern precision medicine.
One of the newly inducted Fellows, Dr. Gholam Reza Berenji, currently directs nuclear cardiology at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. His academic role as an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria in Canada underscores his commitment to fostering interdisciplinary knowledge transfer. Dr. Berenji’s involvement in multiple SNMMI councils, including the Academic and Cardiovascular Councils and specialized centers of excellence, positions him at the forefront of facilitating cutting-edge research and practice integration in cardiovascular molecular imaging modalities.
Dr. Mehdi Djekidel, another inductee, serves as associate professor of radiology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University and practices diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at Northwell Health. His leadership roles within the Theranostics Leadership Group and other critical committees highlight his active participation in the development and oversight of radiopharmaceutical therapies and brain imaging initiatives, contributing significantly to the refinement of neuroimaging and personalized treatment paradigms.
In Washington, D.C., Dr. Giuseppe Esposito presides as chief of nuclear medicine at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital and co-directs nuclear medicine services at Medstar Medical Group Radiology. His stewardship on the SNMMI Board of Directors and as chair of the Scientific Program and Education Committee reflects his dedication to advancing scientific education and orchestrating high-impact sessions at annual meetings that disseminate the latest research breakthroughs and clinical protocols widely across the nuclear medicine community.
Distinguished for his contributions to oncologic imaging, Dr. Homer Macapinlac holds the James E. Anderson Distinguished Professorship of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. His longstanding leadership within the SNMMI PET Center of Excellence, including serving as its president, underscores his pivotal role in promoting positron emission tomography applications in cancer diagnostics and therapy management, fostering innovations that enhance tumor detection sensitivity and treatment monitoring.
Professor John Prior, based at Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland, is renowned for his expertise in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, where he heads the related department. His multifaceted contributions as a society leader, educator, and prolific speaker at SNMMI conferences have significantly influenced the international scientific discourse, particularly emphasizing molecular imaging’s capacity to revolutionize disease detection and therapeutic strategies on a global scale.
Recognizing the importance of patient advocacy in advancing nuclear medicine, Josh Mailman was honored as an Honorary Fellow. An internationally respected advocate for neuroendocrine tumor patients, Mailman’s pivotal role as the inaugural chair of SNMMI’s Patient Advocacy Advisory Board exemplifies his efforts to bridge the gap between patient communities and medical practitioners, ensuring that patient narratives inform therapeutic innovation and regulatory policies alike.
The 2026 Fellowship also acknowledged the career of Dr. Libero (Lou) Marzella, a former director at the FDA Division of Imaging and Radiation Medicine. Dr. Marzella’s contributions have been instrumental in shaping regulatory frameworks that govern PET radiopharmaceutical drug development. His expertise has not only guided policy in the United States but has also fostered international collaborations that streamline PET imaging agent approval, proving vital for translational research and clinical trial success worldwide.
The upcoming SNMMI president for 2025-26, Dr. Jean-Luc Urbain, will receive Fellowship status after his term, recognizing his extensive leadership across multiple domains within the society. Dr. Urbain’s commitment to international collaboration and educational outreach continues to drive innovation by integrating research, clinical application, and global partnerships, enabling nuclear medicine to address challenges in personalized diagnostics and tailored therapies comprehensively.
Throughout these recognitions, SNMMI reiterates its mission to promote nuclear medicine and molecular imaging as indispensable tools in precision medicine. These imaging techniques exploit radiopharmaceuticals to visualize and measure biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels, providing unparalleled insights into disease mechanisms while facilitating the tailored treatment of conditions ranging from cardiac disorders to complex malignancies.
The integration of theranostics—where diagnostic imaging and therapeutic delivery are fused—represents a paradigm shift in patient care, enabling clinicians to predict, monitor, and optimize treatments based on individualized biological data. The honored Fellows’ varied expertise across PET, radiopharmaceutical therapy, and clinical oncology underscores the dynamic and interdisciplinary evolution of this field.
The SNMMI’s emphasis on Fellow recognition not only celebrates individual excellence but also highlights the collaborative and translational efforts necessary to push the boundaries of nuclear medicine. By fostering a vibrant community of innovators, educators, and advocates, SNMMI ensures that molecular imaging continues to impact patient outcomes profoundly, influencing future healthcare practices globally.
The 2026 Annual Meeting itself, a cornerstone event for the nuclear medicine community, provides an invaluable platform for sharing advancements, debating challenges, and forging partnerships that accelerate scientific discovery. The induction of these Fellows symbolizes the ongoing quest for excellence and the relentless pursuit to harness molecular insights for groundbreaking clinical applications.
As the SNMMI Fellowship cohort grows, the society reinforces its commitment to recognizing those who enhance the knowledge base, clinical capabilities, and patient-centered focus of the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging fields. This prestigious designation serves as an inspiration to both emerging and established professionals dedicated to improving diagnostics and therapies through cutting-edge science.
Subject of Research: Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging, Theranostics, Positron Emission Tomography, Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
Article Title: SNMMI Honors New Fellows Advancing Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Innovation at 2026 Annual Meeting
News Publication Date: June 2026
Web References: http://www.snmmi.org
Keywords: Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging, Theranostics, Positron Emission Tomography, Radiopharmaceutical Therapy, Personalized Medicine, Oncology Imaging, Regulatory Science, Patient Advocacy
