UCLA Journal of Radiation Oncology SUMMER 2024 - Flipbook - Page 17
UCLA RADIATION ONCOLOGY JOURNAL
JONATHAN MASSACHI, MD
Dr. Massachi was born and raised in Los Angeles and is now a triple Bruin, receiving his
bachelor’s degree from UCLA in bioengineering followed by a master’s degree in the same
department as the recipient of the Outstanding Master’s in Bioengineering Award.
During his studies, he was fascinated with the potential of technology and innovation to
enable personalized, precise, and equitable care through increased access and affordability.
His drive to pursue medicine stemmed from the positive impact of advanced medical
imaging techniques and minimally invasive interventions.
He then went on to receive his MD from UCSF where he graduated as a recipient of the
Dean's Prize in Research for his work on integrating MRI in radiation therapy treatment
planning for breast cancer. While in medical school, he also presented on treatment
outcomes for patients with benign spinal tumors who underwent Stereotactic Body
Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and participated in a range of studies exploring the potential of
several neuro-imaging techniques to identify and characterize lesions.
Following medical school, Dr. Massachi completed his Internal Medicine Internship at
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center.
NICOLAS NELSON, MD
Dr. Nicolas Nelson, a native Californian, studied English and biochemistry at UCLA.
He taught middle school science before earning his M.D. at Thomas Jefferson University
in Philadelphia. In medical school, his research focused on circadian rhythms in cancer
biology and equitable cancer screening for LGBTQ+ patients.
His dedication to helping patients fight cancer with physics began with an interest in
space, culminating in research experience with Johnson Space Center and NASA Space
Radiation Laboratory. He has published on a range of space medicine topics, including
the effects of cosmic radiation on the female reproductive system.
He returned to California for his Internal Medicine Internship at Kaiser Permanente LA
Medical Center. Now he is deeply honored to be serving cancer patients at UCLA and
offering compassionate, state-of-the-art care. Beyond medicine, Dr. Nelson enjoys hiking,
scuba diving, spicy foods, and books about the physics of space and time.
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