Kayvan R. Keshari

Kayvan R. Keshari is a Professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, affiliated with the Sloan Kettering Institute's Molecular Pharmacology Program and the Department of Radiology. He specializes in cancer metabolism and metabolic imaging, particularly using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance to develop non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

• Education: BA in MCB-Biochemistry and Applied Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley (2003); PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2009).

His research program focuses on metabolic dynamics in cancer, integrating multi-modality imaging and metabolic engineering to translate findings to clinical applications. Recent publications highlight advancements in fructose metabolism in leukemia and hyperpolarized MRI for tumor grading.

Scientific Awards

• 2012 Pathway Independent Award
• 2012 Junior Fellow, International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
• 2019 NIH Rising Stars
• 2020 Distinguished Investigator, American Academy of Radiology and Biomedical Research
• 2024 Fellow, World Molecular Imaging Society
• 2025 Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering

Keshari's lab collaborates across disciplines, including roles in the Center for Molecular Imaging & Bioengineering and the Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology. His work bridges fundamental research and clinical translation, emphasizing cell-based therapies and molecular tools for cancer treatment.