About
Daniel Appelbaum, MD, is a Professor of Radiology at the University of Chicago, specializing in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. He serves as a radiologist and nuclear medicine physician at the University of Chicago Medicine, where he leads a section involved in multiple oncology PET/CT clinical trials. Dr. Appelbaum chairs the University of Chicago Radioactive Drug Research Advisory Committee (RADRAC) and is an active member of the national Society of Nuclear Medicine Committee on Education.
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University, St. Louis, MO (2000) - Fellowship in Nuclear Medicine
- University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (1999) - Residency in Diagnostic Radiology
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY (1995) - MD
- Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (1991) - BA in English Literature
- American Board of Radiology Certification (1999)
- American Board of Nuclear Medicine Certification (2000)
Dr. Appelbaum's research focuses on nuclear and molecular imaging in both basic science and clinical settings. His current work includes developing a novel brain imaging agent for multiple sclerosis and a metabolic catalyst to enhance tumor detection with PET imaging. He has pioneered new strategies for computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) in nuclear medicine, for which he holds an AI patent. His research spans oncologic, neurologic, and cardiac applications of PET and PET/CT imaging, with special emphasis on metabolic tumor volume analysis, molecular targeted therapies, and quantitative imaging biomarkers. His laboratory investigates applications of artificial intelligence in radiographic image interpretation, particularly for cancer detection and monitoring treatment response.
Analysis of Dr. Appelbaum's recent publications (2015-2025) reveals a strong focus on quantitative nuclear medicine imaging, particularly PET/CT applications in oncology. His work consistently explores metabolic tumor volume as a prognostic marker across various cancers including lung cancer, lymphoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. There is a clear trajectory toward integrating artificial intelligence with nuclear medicine imaging, as evidenced by his research on computer-aided diagnosis systems and quantitative image analysis. His publications span multiple disciplines including oncology, neurology, cardiology, and hematology, demonstrating the broad applicability of nuclear imaging techniques across medical specialties.
- America's Top Doctor (Castle Connolly, 2014-present)
- Chicago's Top Doctor (Chicago Magazine, 2012-present)
- Marc Tetalman Teacher of the Year Award (University of Chicago, 2006-2007)
As an educator, Dr. Appelbaum has made significant contributions to nuclear medicine education, serving on the national Society of Nuclear Medicine Committee on Education for many years. He authored the textbook Nuclear Medicine RadCases as a comprehensive review resource for the field. He frequently accepts lecture invitations on nuclear and PET imaging at medical institutions and conferences worldwide. His research program has secured multiple clinical trials funding, particularly in oncology PET/CT applications for monitoring therapy response. Dr. Appelbaum's AI-related patent in computer-aided diagnosis represents a significant translational research achievement with potential clinical impact.
Dr. Appelbaum leads a research section at the University of Chicago focused on nuclear and molecular imaging. His team collaborates extensively with oncologists, neurologists, and cardiologists on clinical trials and translational research projects. The group is particularly active in developing novel imaging biomarkers and quantitative analysis methods for cancer imaging. They maintain strong collaborations with computer science researchers for AI development in medical imaging. The section participates in multiple multi-center clinical trials evaluating PET/CT for cancer staging, treatment response assessment, and prognostication across various malignancies.
