Daniel L.J. Thorek

Dr. Daniel L.J. Thorek is an Associate Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering at Washington University School of Medicine, where he co-leads the Oncologic Imaging Program at the Siteman Cancer Center. He directs the Molecular Radiotherapy + Imaging Laboratory within the Precision Radiotheranostics Translation Center, focusing on developing diagnostic and targeted therapies for oncology, inflammation, and infectious diseases using computational, in vitro, and preclinical approaches.

His research integrates engineering principles in biotechnology and radiology to advance quantitative imaging and targeted therapeutics. Key areas include radiopharmaceutical therapy optimization, molecular imaging probe development, and nanoparticle-based diagnostics. His lab employs machine learning and computational modeling to understand disease mechanisms and improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. Thorek's publications emphasize innovative approaches in radioimmunotherapy, theranostics, and molecular imaging. Recent work demonstrates strong focus on prostate cancer treatment optimization, alpha-particle therapies, and infectious disease imaging.

Major scientific recognition includes:

• 2024 Distinguished Investigator Award
• 2021 Ocean Imagination Award
• Steven Wynn Young Investigator Award (2013-2017)
• Society of Nuclear Medicine Postdoctoral Scholar Award

He currently leads multiple federally funded projects, including a $1.25M DOE grant for hydrogen production research and an NSF grant for nanocrystal synthesis. His laboratory collaborates with national laboratories and international institutions to translate discoveries into clinical applications.