SNMMI Inducts New Class of Fellows at 2026 Annual Meeting

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has announced its newest class of Fellows, recognized during a plenary session at the society's 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place May 30 through June 2 in Los Angeles.

The SNMMI Fellowship, established in 2016, stands as one of the most prestigious honors the society bestows upon its long-tenured members. The designation, marked by the credential FSNMMI, acknowledges distinguished volunteer service to the organization alongside exceptional achievement across nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

Candidates for fellowship are evaluated on documented excellence in society service combined with demonstrated leadership in at least one of three additional areas: scientific discovery and innovation, educational contributions, or clinical practice.

This year’s fellows include:

• Gholam Reza Berenji, MS, MD. - Director of nuclear cardiology at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and adjunct professor at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada.
   
• Mehdi Djekidel, MD. - Associate Professor of radiology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and attending physician of diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at Northwell Health in Manhasset, New York.

• Giuseppe Esposito, MD, MBA. - Chief of nuclear medicine at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital and professor of radiology and co-director of nuclear medicine services at the Medstar Medical Group Radiology in Washington, D.C.

• Homer Macapinlac, MD, FACNM - Professor of cancer imaging systems and holds the James E. Anderson Distinguished Professorship of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
   
• John Prior, PhD, MD, FEBNM - Professor and head of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging at Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland.

• Josh Mailman, MBA (Honorary Fellow) - Mailman is an internationally recognized advocate for neuroendocrine tumor patients and for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

• Libero (Lou) Marzella, MD, PhD, - Past Director of the Division of Imaging and Radiation Medicine at FDA, where he helped shape radiopharmaceutical regulations for PET drug development for nearly two decades.

Outgoing SNMMI President Jean-Luc Urbain, MD, PhD, will also be inducted as a Fellow following the conclusion of his 2025–26 presidential term. Urbain has held multiple leadership positions within the society over the course of his career and has made significant contributions to nuclear medicine through education, research, and international collaboration.

The SNMMI represents professionals working across the full spectrum of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, a field that uses radioactive tracers and advanced imaging technologies to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders.