Mikhail Doubrovin Named Chief of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics at Columbia Radiology
Mikhail Doubrovin, MD, PhD, has been named chief of the Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics for the Department of Radiology at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S). Doubrovin is a board-certified radiologist specializing in nuclear medicine. His appointment is effective May 1, 2026.
Doubrovin has been serving as interim chief of the division—formerly called the Division of Nuclear Medicine—since 2024. He leads a team of subspecialized radiologists serving hospital and outpatient imaging sites across Manhattan and Westchester and oversees Columbia’s advanced PET radiolabeling facility, which produces more than 20 research and clinical tracers.
Doubrovin joined Columbia Radiology in 2018, bringing a unique background that integrates clinical care, translational research, and advanced imaging science. He began his career with an eight-year research fellowship in nuclear medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), followed by residency training in nuclear medicine at MSKCC and pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian. He later served at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he combined pediatric care with nuclear medicine expertise.
At Columbia, Doubrovin has played a central role in advancing the field of theranostics—the integration of diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy—during a period of rapid growth in radiopharmaceutical innovation. As a key member of the division, he helped expand its therapeutic nuclear medicine program, introducing and scaling the use of novel radiolabeled drugs to treat cancers such as prostate and neuroendocrine tumors. These approaches combine molecular imaging to identify disease with targeted radioactive therapies to deliver treatment directly to tumors.
Doubrovin also led the expansion and modernization of Columbia’s PET imaging infrastructure over the past two years, including enhancements to the main PET Center, growth of affiliated imaging sites in the Hudson Valley, and the establishment of advanced imaging capabilities at NewYork-Presbyterian The One. These efforts have broadened access to cutting-edge molecular imaging across the health system and positioned Columbia as a leader in next-generation imaging technologies.
An active physician-scientist, Doubrovin’s research focuses on developing new radiopharmaceuticals and expanding their applications in oncology and neurology. His work includes pioneering first-in-human imaging studies to better understand chronic pain pathways and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as advancing imaging of immune responses to cancer, including T-cell–based therapies. His research aims to improve early disease detection, guide targeted treatments, and enhance patient outcomes.
In addition to his clinical and research contributions, Doubrovin is deeply engaged in education and professional service. He participates in regional training programs for radiology residents, serves on multiple committees within the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and acts as a reviewer for leading academic journals. He also chairs the Joint Radiation Safety Committee for the Columbia campus and affiliated institutions, overseeing the safe and effective use of radiation in clinical and research settings.
As division chief, Doubrovin aims to continue advancing molecular imaging and therapeutics at Columbia, with a focus on innovation in radiopharmaceutical development, expansion of theranostic treatments, and integration of imaging and therapy to deliver more precise, personalized care.
