Radiation Oncologists

Name: Naseer Ahmed

Credentials: MD, FRCPC

Title:

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Associate Professor Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba
• Affiliate Scientist, Research Institute of Hematology Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba

DSG: Thoracic and Lymphoma

Research Interests:

Radiation Biology and Screening in Lung Cancer 

Bio:

Dr. Naseer Ahmed completed his training in Radiation Oncology at McMaster University, Canada in 1996.  He was a fellow with the National Research Council of Canada in 1998-1999.  Dr. Ahmed has been a staff Radiation Oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba since 2000.  He specializes in thoracic malignancies and lymphomas.  His research is focused on the study of metabolomics in cancer using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Mass Spectroscopy.  Currently he is a member of the Manitoba Lung Cancer Screening Advisory Group.  Dr. Ahmed is also a part-time student at the Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba, as well as a marathon runner.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Shahida Ahmed

Credentials: MD, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Genitourinary (GU), Gastrointestinal (GI), and Breast

Research Interests:

Focus is on improving treatment outcomes and quality of life in colorectal and genitourinary malignancies

Bio:

Dr. Shahida Ahmed is a Radiation Oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba, and holds an academic appointment in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Manitoba since 1999.  She completed her training in Radiation Oncology at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.  Her clinical areas of expertise include Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary and Breast Cancer.

She has been involved in a number of national clinical practice guideline initiatives.  She is the site principal investigator of numerous Phase 3 clinical trials, and has participated in many national and international clinical studies.

Dr. Ahmed has been actively involved in medical education, and enjoys teaching residents, fellows and medical students at all levels.  She is the past National Chair of the Residents Refresher course held annually at the Annual Scientific Meeting of Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology.  Previous Medical Staff Association President, CancerCare Manitoba.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Mohamed Akra

Credentials: MD, MB, ChB, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: 

• Sarcoma, Breast, and Gastrointestinal (GI)
• Sarcoma DSG Chair, CancerCare Manitoba

Research Interests:

• Sarcoma (National Canadian CCTG Study Chair of the: CCTG SRC.6)
• Breast and Gastrointestinal (GI)- Principal Investigator for multiple Clinical Trials.

Bio:

Dr. Akra completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at UfM, he completed his fellowship training at the University of Ottawa in 2001.  Since then, he has been a practicing Radiation Oncologist. 

Dr. Akra has been the Chair for the Sarcoma Disease Site Group at CancerCare Manitoba since 2009, working with a team of specialists to create the infrastructure to ensure consistent and high quality delivery of care for sarcoma patients in MB, and an Executive Member of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group Sarcoma Committee, and an advocate for National and International collaboration and clinical research in sarcoma.  As a national expert in sarcoma, Dr. Akra was invited to the membership of the newly founded Canadian Sarcoma Clinical and Research Collaboration Group (CanSaRCC) Steering Committee, a national group of physicians, scientists, and other healthcare providers across Canada who have joined together to form a team to facilitate interdisciplinary scientific collaborations and perform clinical and translation research in sarcoma.

Dr. Akra is also member of the Breast Cancer DSG in MB, leading many clinical trials as a Principal Investigator, and leading the implementation of many new techniques in the radiotherapy treatment of breast cancer to potentially improve the outcome of breast cancer patients in Manitoba, including DIBH technique, APBRT.  Dr. Akra is also a member of the GI Disease Site Group in MB, and an expert in treating gastrointestinal malignancies and liver cancer.  He is the Principal Investigator for the CCTG GA.1 Gastric Cancer Clinical Trial in MB.  Dr. Akra has been involved in teaching residents, fellows and medical students over many years, and is a member of the ARETS Committee at the PGME, UfM.

Publications:  PubMed Links

Name: Bashir Bashir

Credentials: MB. ChB, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: 

• Thoracic, Breast, Genitourinary
• Lung DSG Chair

Research Interests:

Dr. Bashir has an ongoing interest in establishing Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in Lung and Prostate malignancy.

Bio:

Dr. Bashir was born and raised in Libya, completing his medical degree at the University of AlFath in 2000.  After working in the departments of Medical Oncology, Emergency and Radiology, he decided to pursue further training at the University of Manitoba, where he completed his degree in Radiation Oncology in 2009.

Dr. Bashir was the first Oncologist in Manitoba to work outside of Winnipeg and start the Radiation Clinic in Brandon in 2011 and is a previous NCIC representative, as well as Chair of Tumor Board Rounds in Brandon up to 2016.

He moved back to Winnipeg in 2016 and he continues to treat Thoracic malignancy, GU malignancy and Breast cancer.  He is involved in the Rapid Access Radiation Clinic and is strongly involved in lung and prostate SBRT at CancerCare Manitoba.  In addition to these, Dr. Bashir was greatly involved in developing IMRT protocols for Lung malignancy.

Dr. Bashir is Chair of the Thoracic Disease Site Group, he is the Lung SBRT lead and a member of the standards committee at CCMB.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: James B. (Jim) Butler

Credentials: MD, BA, CM, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Associate Professor, Dept of Radiology, University of Manitoba
• Director, Clerkship & Electives, UGME

DSG: Head & Neck / Skin, Thyroid, Gamma Knife SRS

Research Interests:

Research interests include Head & Neck oncology, stereotactic radiosurgery, radiotherapy processes, evaluating and implementing new technology.

Bio:

Dr. Butler is a Radiation Oncologist and Associate Professor at CancerCare Manitoba with a clinical interest in Head & Neck oncology (including thyroid and skin cancers) and stereotactic radiosurgery.  He is affiliated with the Winnipeg Centre for Gamma Knife Surgery and KIAM at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and the Co-Director of the SRS/SBRT Program.  He is a native Manitoban, who received his medical degree from McGill University, training in Radiation Oncology at McGill University and the University of Manitoba, and fellowship training at the University of Michigan.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Amit Chowdhury

Credentials: MD, FFR RCSPI

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Thoracic, Genitourinary

Research Interests:

Radical chemo-radiotherapy for Stage III NSC lung cancer and Prostate LDR brachytherapy.

Bio:

Dr. Chowdhury completed his residency training in Radiation Oncology in New Delhi, India; Auckland, New Zealand, and Dublin, Ireland. 

Dr. Chowdhury is a Staff Radiation Oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba since 1994.  

Dr. Chowdhury is a past Chair of Thoracic Tumor DSG from 2012-2019 and a past Chair of Prostate LDR Brachytherapy Program from 2003-2011.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Andrew L. Cooke

Credentials: MD, FRCPC Radiation Oncology, FRCPC Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, BSc(Med)

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Breast, Head and Neck

Research Interests:

Dr. Cooke has published on clinical aspects of anti-estrogen and radiation treatments for breast cancer patients.  He has also published on radiation therapy waiting lists and quality of life of head and neck cancer patients.  Recent grants involve the genetic screening of women at risk for breast cancer and new technologies for breast radiotherapy.

Bio:

Dr. Cooke is an Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Manitoba.  He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1980 and did specialty training in Internal Medicine at the U of M.  He further trained in Radiation Oncology at the Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto.  After working for CancerCare Ontario at the University of Western Ontario, London, ON where he had served as the Director of the UWO Radiation Oncology Training Program, he was recruited back to CancerCare Manitoba in 1994 as a consultant in Radiation Oncology.

He has been Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at CancerCare Manitoba, past Medical Staff President, Breast Cancer Disease Site Chairman, and has been an Examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Radiation Oncology.

Publications:  PubMed Links

Name: Arbind Dubey

Credentials: MD, CCPE, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: 

• GU, Skin, Lymphoma, Lung and SBRT spine
• Genitourinary DSG Chair

Research Interests:

Integrating 3D printing technology as a tool for treating Oncology patients, SBRT, Lung cancer outcomes.

Bio:

Dr. Dubey finished his residency in Radiation Oncology at University of Manitoba in 2007 and since then has been working as a staff Radiation Oncologist.  Currently, he holds the Academic position of Associate Professor, Dept of Radiology at University of Manitoba.  At CancerCare Manitoba, he is involved in treating GU malignancies, Lymphomas, Skin cancer, Lung cancer and spinal metastasis.  He is the chair of GU DSG at CancerCare Manitoba and is the Radiobiology tutor for the Radiation Oncology residency program.  His research interests include integrating 3D printing technology as a tool for treating Oncology patients, radiosurgery and lung cancer outcomes.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: William Hunter 

Credentials: MD, FRCPC 

Title:

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba
• Site Coordinator, Western Manitoba Medical Centre

DSG: Thoracic, Breast, and Gastrointestinal

Research Interests:

• Stereotactic Radiotherapy
• Thoracic malignancies
• Cancer care delivery for rural patients
• Participation in international/multicentre clinical trials

Bio:

Dr. Hunter was born and raised in Calgary.  He completed a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering with Distinction at the University of Alberta and worked in research and development as a professional radiofrequency engineer for a number of years before entering medicine.  He received his undergraduate medical education at the University of Calgary and went on to residency training in Radiation Oncology at CancerCare Manitoba.  He then completed additional fellowship training at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre with a focus on stereotactic radiotherapy including hypofractionated treatments for liver, thoracic, and intracranial malignancies.

Dr. Hunter is the Site Coordinator at the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre and is the current chair of the Western Manitoba Tumour Rounds.  He is also an investigator with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group and has great interest in the implementation of improved radiation delivery techniques.  His clinical practice is broad and he currently treats thoracic, breast, and gastrointestinal disease sites in conjunction with general palliative therapy for advanced malignancies.

Publications:  Unknown

Name: Dr. Saranya Kakumanu

Credentials: MD, MRCP, FRCR, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: 

• CNS, Gynecology, Pediatrics, Sarcoma
• CNS DSG Chair

Research Interests:

• SRS/Gamma Knife for Brain metastasis and primary Brain tumours
• Novel treatment techniques for Primary CNS tumours
• Image-guided Brachytherapy in Gynecological cancers
• Medical Ethics

Bio:

Dr. Saranya Kakumanu is a Radiation Oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba and an Assistant Professor at University of Manitoba.  After finishing medical school in India he did his post graduate training in the UK, initially in Internal Medicine leading to MRCP UK, followed by specialization in Clinical Oncology in Beatson West of Scotland Oncology Centre achieving FRCR UK and CCST in Clinical Oncology in 2006.  He worked in Glasgow as a consultant in Gynecological and Colorectal malignancies.  He moved to Canada in 2010, initially working in Regina Allan Blair Cancer Centre leading the Sarcoma and Neuroendocrine group and receiving his FRCPC in Radiation Oncology in 2011.  He is presently working in CancerCare Manitoba since 2014 and is the Provincial Chair of the CNS DSG and the Medical lead of the Underserved Populations in CancerCare Manitoba.  He is active in clinical trials.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Julian Kim

Credentials: MD, MSc, BEng, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Breast, Thoracic, Prostate

Research Interests:

Dr. Kim's primary research activities include the development and conduct of Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials (IICTs) focusing on improving cancer cure rates while reducing treatment related toxicity.  Current clinical trials include: 1) Precision stereotactic body radiotherapy for removing lung tumours using real-time radiofrequency location transponder beacons (GPS Trial); 2) Individualized Genetic Risk Estimation of Breast Cancer (GENRE Trial) for non-BRCa women at increased risk; 3) Prevention of metabolic syndrome and increased weight with metformin versus placebo for prostate cancer patients undergoing radical radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy (PREMIUM trial). 4) Tissue flap sparing hypofractionated radiotherapy following mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer (SPRINT trial). Dr. Kim's translational research activities include the development of metabolic signature from human plasma to differentiate NSCLC patients from cancer-free controls (MAPLE study). He also collaborates with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer in initiatives to improve guideline adherence for the use of palliative single fraction radiotherapy for bone metastases, and the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation to increase the use of clinical strategies which improve quality of life for prostate cancer patients.

Bio:

Dr. Kim was born and raised in Winnipeg but has moved extensively for both work and training.  He completed a Bachelor's degree in Chemical & Materials Engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada and performed research on the effects of neutron radiation on thermoplastic composite materials using the SLOWPOKE-2 nuclear reactor.  As a commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, Dr. Kim completed his training based out of Vancouver Island, and later sailed out of Halifax as a Bridge Watchkeeping Officer.  After finishing medical school at the UfM, he went on to residency and fellowship training in Radiation Oncology at the BC Cancer Agency, as well as the Cross Cancer Institute.  During Dr Kim's fellowship, he undertook an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Alberta's School of Public Health.  Dr. Kim's clinical practice in radiation oncology at CCMB serves patients with breast, prostate, and lung malignancies.  Dr. Kim's clinical practice inspires his research activities whereby he design studies to improve the chances of patients achieving cures while simultaneously reducing radiotherapy related toxicities. Dr. Kim serves as a supervisor for MSc and BSc medicine students at the UfM as well as a clinical preceptor for the radiation oncology resident training program.  Dr. Kim is married with two daughters and a son.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Rashmi Koul

Credentials: MD, CCPE, FRCPC

Title: 

• Medical Director and Head, Radiation Oncology Program, CancerCare Manitoba
• Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Genitourinary (GU), Rapid Access Bony Met Clinic, Palliative

Research Interests:

Quality of life in Oncology, GU Malignancies, especially rehabilitation in prostate cancer patients.  LHRH-related QOL issues in prostate cancer patients, patient's satisfaction with Radiation Oncology services, quality assurance and treatment outcome in various malignancies, integration of psychological and spiritual care in Oncology, practice and follow-up guidelines.  Interested in radiation physics and therapy component as well.  Introduction of LEAN methodology in Radiation Therapy services.

Bio:

Dr. Koul completed her Medical School and Postgraduate training in Radiation Oncology from India in 1998.  She moved to Canada in 2001 and completed residency in Radiation Oncology at CancerCare Manitoba/University of Manitoba in 2007. She worked at Saskatchewan Cancer Agency as a staff Radiation Oncologist from 2007-2013. She was the key person to launch DSG rounds at SCA and served as the Provincial leader of thoracic malignancies and chair of provincial lung rounds at Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. She was awarded the title of Canadian Certified Physician Executive by CMA in Spring of 2013.  Dr. Koul has more than 20 years of involvement in clinical Radiation Oncology and active teaching. Dr. Koul has more than 100 publications to her credit and her research work has been presented at highly acclaimed national and international conferences.  She has been awarded multiple competitive research grants and awards for Oncology-related research including nominations for Mentorship awards.  She currently is the Medical Director, Radiation Oncology Program, CCMB and Head of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, U of M.  Dr. Koul is heavily involved in introducing new state of the art technology in various DSGs in order to serve Manitobans well.  She is working on various initiatives within CCMB and with other organizations in MB to serve our oncology patients in a timely fashion. Dr. Koul is involved in a Global Oncology Challenge to help countries to set up a new state of the art Radiotherapy Machine and exchange educational collaborations.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Ahmet Leylek

Credentials: MD, American Board of Radiology 

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor/Lecturer, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: 

• Head & Neck, Skin, Thoracic
• Head & Neck DSG Chair

Research Interests:

• Clinical Research Trials in H & N and Lung Cancer
• Palliative medicine

Bio:

Dr. A. Leylek completed his medical degree at the University of Istanbul in 1980.  He worked as a cruise ship Physician for the Turkish Maritimes before his Public Health training at the University of Istanbul.  He served his compulsory military service as a Lieutenant Physician in the Turkish Armed Forces.  His Radiation Oncology training was completed in 1993 at the University of Manitoba.  Since then, he has been a staff Radiation Oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba.  Dr. Lelyek is currently the DSG Chair of the Head and Neck DSG at CancerCare Manitoba.

Publications:  PubMed Links

Name: Junliang Liu

Credentials: MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, Cancercare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Breast, Gastrointestinal, Pediatrics

Research Interests:

Dr. Liu's current research interest is in the treatment outcomes of gastrointestinal malignancies, breast cancer, and metastatic cancer.

Bio:

Dr. Junliang Liu underwent his Radiation Oncology Residency in University of Manitoba, Canada from 2000 to 2005.  Since July 2005, he has been an attending Radiation Oncologist working at CancerCare Manitoba, in Canada.  He was the Radiation Oncology Residency Program Director from 2006 to 2012.  He was a Guest Researcher sponsored by the Swedish Institute at the Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden, from 1991 to 1994.  He was granted a scholarship from the Australian government for a PhD study in Immunology from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia from 1994 to1997.  After earning a PhD in 1997, he conducted Post-Doctoral Research in Immunology at University of Alberta, Canada, from 1997 to 2000, before his residency training in Radiation Oncology.  His publications are included  in the prestigious journals of Nature Medicine and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Maged Nashed

Credentials: PHD, MRCP, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Department Of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Breast and Gastroenterology

Research Interests:

Optimizing neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer, cutting wait times for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as Liver SBRT.

Bio:

Dr. Nashed graduated from Medical School at Cairo University, Egypt and received training in clinical oncology in the UK.  Dr. Nashed obtained FRCPC from Canada and has been working as a Radiation Oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba since 2009.  Dr. Nashed is also the Director of the Fellowship Program in Radiation Oncology.  His Interests are hepatocellular and SBRT Liver Program.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Aldrich Ong

Credentials: MD, MSc, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Section of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba
• Director, Radiation Oncology Residency Program, University Of Manitoba

DSG: 

• Genitourinary and Gynecologic Oncology
• Chair, HDR And Interstitial Brachytherapy Services, CancerCare Manitoba

Research Interests:

Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) for Prostate Cancer.  High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer.  Volume-based Brachytherapy for Gynecological Malignancies.  Medical Education and Assessment.

Bio:

Dr. Ong attended medical school at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.  He has previously obtained his MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences from the University of British Columbia.  He completed his Radiation Oncology training at the University of Manitoba and further pursued a clinical fellowship in Prostate and Gynecological Brachytherapy at CancerCare Manitoba.  His clinical areas of expertise are Genitourinary and Gynecologic Malignancies, including brachytherapy for both sites.  He has been the Residency Program Director since 2012.  Dr. Ong is also the Chair, HDR and Interstitial Brachytherapy Services at CancerCare Manitoba.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Shrinivas Rathod

Credentials: MD, MBBS, FRCPC

Title: 

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG:

• Thoracic - Brain tumors, Brain metastasis and Spine metastasis.
• Chair, Spine SBRT Program, CancerCare Manitoba
  

Research Interests:

Clinical Trials and meta-analysis focusing on improving outcomes and quality of life in Lung and Brain Tumors.

Bio:

Dr. Rathod has received several academic excellence, research and travel awards during his training.  He completed clinical fellowship at Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University of Toronto in 2016.  He is one of the few Oncologists in Canada featured in prestigious ASCO post for his research work and also received an ASTRO award in 2017.

Dr. Rathod has been actively involved in multi-disciplinary collaborative research endeavors and has conducted/participated in various prospective, retrospective studies, research protocols, meta-analysis and teaching activities.  To date, his clinical and research efforts have yielded several published articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and conference presentations.  Dr. Rathod is the Chair of the SBRT Spine Program at CancerCare Manitoba.  Dr. Rathod will continue to offer excellent patient care and continued research.  He looks forward to continually contributing to the lives of patients and their families through service and commitment to the advancement of medicine.

Publications: PubMed Links

Name: Gokulan Sivananthan 

Credentials: MD, BSc, FRCPC

Title:

• Radiation Oncologist, CancerCare Manitoba, Western Manitoba Cancer Centre
• Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba

DSG: Genitourinary, Thoracic, Gastrointestinal

Research Interests:

Dr. Sivananthan's main areas of interest include prostate cancer, palliative care, and cancer care in rural settings.

Bio:

Dr. Sivananthan was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He completed residency, as well as fellowship training at CancerCare Manitoba. His fellowship had a focus on GU and Thoracic disease sites. Dr. Sivananthan has been involved in research and guideline development at CCMB. 

Dr. Sivananthan is currently practicing at the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre in Brandon, Manitoba; and he and his family have relocated there

Publications: PubMed Links