David J. Carlson

David J. Carlson is a Professor and Vice Chair of Physics in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine and Yale-New Haven Health. He specializes in medical physics and radiation oncology, with a focus on improving cancer treatment outcomes through biophysical modeling and biodosimetry. His research addresses oxygen effects in radiation therapy, FLASH technology, and tumor response mechanisms.

Dr. Carlson earned his PhD in Medical Physics from Purdue University (2006) and a BA in Physics from Middlebury College (2002). He is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Radiologic Physics.

His research interests include

• DNA damage and repair mechanisms
• Tumor hypoxia and its clinical implications
• Heavy ion and proton therapy
• FLASH radiation biology
• Radiobiological modeling
• In vivo biodosimetry

Recent publications highlight advancements in FLASH oxygen depletion modeling, proton therapy dosimetry, and hypofractionation efficacy. His work integrates computational simulations with clinical applications to optimize radiation delivery.

Scientific honors include

• Elected Fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (FASTRO)
• Board of Directors, American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM)
• Invited participation in international workshops on radiation biology
• Podcast host for the International Journal of Radiation Oncology

Dr. Carlson serves as Executive Editor for the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics, and leads NIH- and ACS-funded grants exploring nanoparticle-enhanced radiation therapy and radiosensitization strategies. He collaborates with institutions like Dartmouth College and Yale Cancer Center on translational projects.