Steen Madsen

Steen Madsen, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences in the Integrated Health Sciences unit at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Since joining UNLV in fall 1997, he has led an internationally recognized translational research program focused on eradicating residual malignant brain tumor cells after surgery using light- and ultrasound-based therapies.

Education & Training

• B.Sc. in Physics and Biology, University of Toronto, Ontario
• M.Sc. in Health and Radiation Physics, McMaster University, Ontario
• Ph.D. in Applied Nuclear Physics, McMaster University, Ontario
• Post-doctoral Fellowship in Photomedicine, Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine
• Medical Physics Residency, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Research Focus

Dr. Madsen’s laboratory integrates physics, biology, and engineering to develop and refine therapeutic strategies for malignant gliomas. Core investigative themes include:

• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) – light-activated destruction of tumor cells using photosensitizers.
• Sonochemical Internalization (SCI) – ultrasound-triggered release of drugs from carriers.
• Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy – gold-based nanoparticles generating localized hyperthermia.
• Macrophage-Mediated Drug Delivery – exploiting tumor-homing macrophages to ferry chemotherapeutics and nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier.

Collectively, these approaches aim to eliminate microscopic tumor remnants in resection margins, thereby improving patient survival and quality-of-life.

Publication Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Dr. Madsen’s group published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles. The work demonstrates a clear translational arc: early mechanistic studies on photochemical internalization and nanoparticle uptake have matured into sophisticated in vivo models combining macrophage vectors, gold-silica nanoshells, and ultrasound activation. Recent papers emphasize combinatorial regimens—concurrent photothermal and chemotherapeutic treatment—and the development of fibrin-glue depots for localized drug release.

Scientific Honors & Service

• Fellow, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
• Editorial Board Member, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
• Editorial Board Member, Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology

Teaching & Mentorship

At UNLV, Dr. Madsen teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in radiation physics, radiation biology, imaging physics, and imaging pathology. His trainees routinely advance to medical physics residencies, doctoral programs, and biotechnology R&D roles.

Laboratory & Collaborative Networks

The Madsen Lab operates within the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Integrated Health Sciences, equipped with cell culture, small-animal imaging, and laser/ultrasound therapeutic systems. Collaborative partnerships extend to the Beckman Laser Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, and multiple clinical neuro-oncology centers.