Assist. Prof. Dr. Raul Valenzuela , MD Anderson Cancer Center , United States
Dr. Raul F. Valenzuela Perez is a highly accomplished Assistant Professor of Musculoskeletal Imaging at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. With over two decades of medical experience, he combines expertise in radiology, oncology, and advanced imaging techniques. Originating from Chile, Dr. Valenzuela earned his MD from Universidad de Chile and pursued advanced training in health administration and imaging sciences. His global perspective and collaborative research efforts have made him a prominent figure in musculoskeletal tumor imaging. He is board-certified in radiology in both the U.S. and Chile and is actively licensed in Texas and Florida. Dr. Valenzuela’s dedication to oncologic imaging, radiomics, and MRI innovations has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, especially in the field of sarcoma imaging. Through ongoing work in developing and validating novel imaging biomarkers, he continues to shape the future of cancer diagnostics and personalized treatment approaches.
Publication Profile:
Scopus
✅ Strengths for the Award:
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Prolific Research Output 📚
Dr. Valenzuela has published extensively in high-impact journals like Scientific Reports, JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, and Journal of Radiology & Oncology, with recent work in 2023–2025 focusing on radiomics, MRI biomarkers, and musculoskeletal oncology.
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Innovation in Imaging Techniques 💡
He has pioneered the use of contrast-enhanced susceptibility-weighted imaging (CE-SWI) and quantitative diffusion-weighted MRI to evaluate soft tissue sarcomas and treatment response — advancing imaging beyond traditional RECIST criteria.
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Collaborative Multidisciplinary Work 🤝
Dr. Valenzuela consistently co-authors with surgical oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists, highlighting his collaborative research approach that bridges disciplines.
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International Clinical Credibility 🌎
He is licensed in the U.S. (Texas & Florida) and Chile, and board-certified in both American and Chilean radiology boards, reflecting his global expertise and trust in varied medical systems.
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Academic Leadership at MD Anderson 🎓
As an Assistant Professor at one of the world’s top cancer centers, he contributes to education, clinical care, and high-level cancer imaging research.
⚙️ Areas for Improvement:
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Recognition and Awards Disclosure 🏅
While the publication record is impressive, public listing of prior individual awards, fellowships, or grants would strengthen his profile further for award consideration.
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Principal Investigator Roles 🧪
Although highly involved in collaborative projects, leading major multi-center trials or imaging consortia as principal investigator would elevate his leadership status.
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Expanded Public Science Communication 🗣️
Increasing outreach via conferences, keynote talks, or educational platforms (like webinars or radiology workshops) could enhance his visibility in the broader scientific community.
🎓 Education:
Dr. Raul F. Valenzuela Perez holds an MD from Universidad de Chile (1993), where he laid the foundation for his distinguished medical and academic career. Alongside his medical training, he pursued further specialization in healthcare management, earning two certificates from the University of Chile Business School: one in Business and Health Administration (2003) and another in Process Management and Health Administration (2005). This unique blend of medical and administrative education empowers Dr. Valenzuela with a strategic understanding of healthcare systems and leadership. His academic journey highlights a commitment to continuous learning and cross-disciplinary excellence. As a thought leader in radiologic sciences, Dr. Valenzuela has integrated his business knowledge with clinical expertise to enhance imaging workflows and patient-centered care, especially in high-impact cancer institutions like MD Anderson. His education reflects both clinical proficiency and managerial insight, laying the groundwork for his contributions to musculoskeletal oncology imaging.
🏥 Experience:
Since September 2019, Dr. Valenzuela has served as an Assistant Professor in Musculoskeletal Imaging at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world’s leading cancer research institutions. Prior to his tenure in the U.S., he developed a robust clinical background in Chile, where he practiced and taught radiology. With licenses from the Texas Medical Board, Florida Medical Board, and Chilean Medical Association, his clinical credentials span internationally. He is also certified by the American Board of Radiology and the Chilean Radiology Board. At MD Anderson, Dr. Valenzuela plays a key role in advancing diagnostic imaging for musculoskeletal tumors, particularly soft tissue sarcomas. His responsibilities include patient care, teaching, research, and contributing to the development of advanced imaging protocols. Known for his collaborative style and interdisciplinary approach, he is a respected mentor and a valued contributor in the field of cancer imaging.
🏅 Awards and Honors:
While specific named awards are not detailed in the provided data, Dr. Raul F. Valenzuela Perez’s growing publication record, leading research in radiomics, and collaborative work at MD Anderson suggest a strong reputation in his field. His continuous publication in high-impact journals, such as Scientific Reports, JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, and Journal of Radiology & Oncology, indicate recognition by peers and ongoing contributions to advancing cancer imaging. His role in multidisciplinary research teams and innovative use of advanced MRI techniques position him as a strong candidate for awards like Best Researcher. His efforts in improving imaging criteria beyond RECIST and validating AI-based radiomic frameworks show both vision and leadership. Though a detailed list of awards isn’t cited, his contributions to musculoskeletal oncology, particularly in sarcoma treatment response evaluation, reflect a track record of academic excellence and clinical impact, meriting honor and distinction in his specialty.
🔬 Research Focus:
Dr. Valenzuela’s primary research focus lies in advanced imaging for musculoskeletal oncology, particularly the integration of radiomics, perfusion-weighted MRI, and contrast-enhanced susceptibility-weighted imaging (CE-SWI) for tumor characterization and treatment monitoring. His work is centered on improving diagnosis and predicting response in soft-tissue sarcomas, such as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and desmoid fibromatosis. He actively collaborates on multi-institutional studies, applying quantitative imaging biomarkers and AI-driven radiomic models to identify tumor behavior patterns and personalize therapy. A key aspect of his research is the evaluation of multiparametric MRI features, including diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. His publications reveal a commitment to pushing boundaries in functional imaging and improving imaging response criteria beyond traditional RECIST methods. Through his research, Dr. Valenzuela aims to contribute to precision medicine in oncology, bridging radiology and data science to enhance patient outcomes and streamline therapeutic decision-making.
📚 Publications Top Notes:
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🧠 Perfusion-weighted imaging features predicting UPS treatment response – Sci Rep, 2024
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🧬 Radiomics by diffusion-weighted MRI for extremity UPS prediction – J Radiol Oncol, 2024
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🧲 Contrast-enhanced SWI for musculoskeletal oncologic pathology – J Radiol Oncol, 2024
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💉 Perfusion imaging of the musculoskeletal system – Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am, 2024
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🤖 Cancer radiomic and perfusion imaging automated framework – JCO Clin Cancer Inform, 2024
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🧠 Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: MRI vs venous sinus pressure – Rev Chil Radiol, 2023
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📊 CE-SWI in desmoid fibromatosis response assessment – Tumor Discov, 2023
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📈 Multiparametric MRI for treatment and recurrence in sarcoma – J Radiol Oncol, 2023
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🔍 ADC map-based radiomics for sacral tumor differentiation – JCO Precis Oncol, 2023
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📐 Advanced imaging in musculoskeletal oncology (ABASTI Part I) – Semin Ultrasound CT MR, 2021
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🧪 Radiomic features of CE-SWI in UPS treatment response – JCO Clin Cancer Inform, 2025
📝 Conclusion:
Dr. Raul F. Valenzuela Perez is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His innovative contributions to musculoskeletal oncologic imaging, especially in applying radiomic models and advanced MRI techniques, place him at the forefront of translational cancer imaging. His interdisciplinary collaborations and growing body of work have strong clinical impact, particularly for sarcoma management.
With additional visibility through PI roles and recognition through formal honors, Dr. Valenzuela’s already impressive profile is on a trajectory toward international distinction. Based on the current accomplishments and ongoing impactful research, he is highly recommended for this award.