Mark Gerard Trombetta

Mark Gerard Trombetta, MD, FACR, FACRO, is a Professor and Interim Academic Chair in the Department of Radiologic Sciences at Drexel University College of Medicine. He serves as System Director of Clinical Programs for the Department of Oncology at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute, leading breast cancer, cardiac radiation, and brachytherapy programs. His work focuses on reducing treatment toxicity and improving outcomes for cancer patients through innovative approaches like the GammaPod® radiosurgical device and the Permanent Breast Seed Implant program.

Education: MD from Hahnemann University (1981-1985), BS from Gannon University (1979-1981). Residencies include Radiation Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital (1986-1989).

Research Interests: Breast cancer recurrence management, cardiac radiation therapies, brachytherapy innovations, and mitigating radiation side effects. Key projects include the GammaPod® (targeted breast cancer radiosurgery) and gene therapy for radiation-induced dry mouth, funded by a $1.7M NIH grant. He also co-developed coronary artery brachytherapy for in-stent restenosis and leads Stereotactic Arrhythmia Radioablation (STAR) for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

Awards: Institutional Service Award (Drexel, 2023), Best Doctors in America® (2009-2021), Fellow of the American College of Radiology (2010).

Grants & Leadership: NIH-funded gene therapy research ($1.7M), national committee roles (NRG Oncology, ASTRO), and leadership in multidisciplinary guidelines (MASCC radiation dermatitis, hereditary breast cancer management). Co-developed AHN’s cardiac ablation radiotherapy program, an international first in treating refractory arrhythmias.

Labs/Teams: GammaPod® project lead at AHN; cardiac radioablation team using MRI-Linac technology; salivary stem cell therapy collaboration with NIH and industry partners.