The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) will present its highest honor—the Gold Medal—to UNC Lineberger’s Lawrence B. Marks, MD, FASTRO, at its annual meeting in San Francisco, Sept. 27-Oct. 1. The Gold Medal recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of radiation oncology through research, clinical care, teaching and service.
Marks is the Sidney K. Simon Distinguished Professor of Oncology Research at the UNC School of Medicine. He chaired the Department of Radiation Oncology from 2009 to 2023, leading a period of significant growth and innovation.
“I’m indebted to my wonderful mentors, colleagues, trainees, friends and family who have assisted me in my career,” Marks said. “It is a great privilege to be able to combine my interests in physics, math and engineering to help people with serious diseases such as cancer.”
During his tenure, Marks spearheaded the creation of the Division of Healthcare Engineering, which applies lean management principles, behavioral science and systems engineering to improve the efficiency, safety and quality of radiation therapy. The department also expanded its clinical footprint, providing radiation oncology services at nine UNC Health locations across North Carolina.
Marks earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and completed his residency in radiation oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has authored more than 380 peer-reviewed publications, with a particular focus on breast and lung cancers, and has led international efforts to better understand the predictors of radiation-associated normal tissue injury.