Ryan Lanning

Ryan Lanning, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine. Board-certified in Radiation Oncology (2017), he specializes in head and neck cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, and skin cancer treatment across multiple clinical sites including the University of Colorado Cancer Center and UCHealth Radiation Oncology.

His educational background includes a BS from the University of California–Irvine (2000), a PhD from MIT (2010), and an MD from Harvard Medical School (2011), followed by internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital (2012) and Radiation Oncology residency at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where he served as Chief Resident (2016).

• BS: University of California–Irvine (2000)
• PhD: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2010)
• MD: Harvard Medical School (2011)
• Internship: Brigham and Women's Hospital (2012)
• Residency: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Chief Resident (2016)

Dr. Lanning's research centers on optimizing radiation therapy through tumor microenvironment analysis, hypoxia imaging, and multimodal approaches. He investigates melanoma radiation response mechanisms, sarcoma treatment in complex anatomical sites, and integration of advanced imaging like FDG PET/CT into treatment planning. His work bridges preclinical tumor oxygenation studies with clinical pattern-of-care analyses to personalize radiation dosing while minimizing toxicity.

Analysis of his 2016-2024 publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory focused on evidence-based radiation oncology. Key themes include NCCN guideline development for melanoma, hypoxia-guided dose de-escalation for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, and comparative effectiveness studies for sinonasal and laryngeal malignancies. His work consistently emphasizes translating tumor biology insights into clinical protocols while leveraging national databases for real-world evidence.

Professional affiliations include:

• American Society for Radiation Oncology (Full Member)
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (Full Member)

Dr. Lanning practices within multidisciplinary teams at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, contributing to tumor boards and clinical trials. His hospital affiliations span University of Colorado Hospital, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Denver, Denver Health Medical Center, and UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, supporting comprehensive cancer care across the Front Range region.