Alexander Khalaf, MD
Department of Neuroradiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
About Dr. Alexander M. Khalaf
Alex Khalaf is a clinical neuroradiologist with additional subspecialty expertise in nuclear medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has a special interest in molecular imaging and its application in brain tumors and head and neck malignancies. He received his MD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as part of the Clinical Scientist Training Program, and underwent his medical specialty training in diagnostic radiology, neuroradiology, and nuclear medicine at Stanford University.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Neuroradiology / Head & Neck Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Nuclear Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2015 | University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, Certificate in Clinical Research |
| 2016 | University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, Medical Doctorate - Clinical Scientist Training Program |
| 2010 | Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas, US, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Arts |
Postgraduate Training
| 2021-2023 | Fellow, Neuroradiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California |
| 2017-2021 | Resident, Nuclear Medicine Pathway, Stanford University, Stanford, California |
| 2017-2021 | Resident, Diagnostic Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California |
| 2016-2017 | Transitional Year, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2024 | Neuroradiology Subspecialty Board Certification - American Board of Radiology |
| 2022 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2022 | American Board of Radiology |
| 2021 | American Board of Nuclear Medicine |
| 2017 | California Medical License |
| 2016 | Pennsylvania Graduate Medical Trainee License |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Activity Director, Content Reviewer, Lead Faculty - Neuro PET Working Group, Neuroradiology / Head and Neck Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2025 - Present
Fellow Coordinator - Bracco Visiting Professorship Guest Lecture Series, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 2022 - 2023
Chief Resident, Stanford University, 2020 - 2021
Other Professional Positions
VAT PET Commitee, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2025 - Present
Education Core Competency Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2024 - Present
Faculty Senate Departmental Representative, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - 2025
PETMR Working Group, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2024 - Present
Education Working Group Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Quality Working Group Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Radiology Residency Representative, Grand Rounds Selection Committee, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 2021 - 2021
Radiology Residency Representative, Chief Resident Council, Stanford University, Stanford, California, 2020 - 2021
Radiology Residency Representative, Resident Safety Committee, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, 2019 - 2020
Radiology Resident Representative, Patient Safety Committee, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, 2017 - 2019
Resident Representative, Inpatient Education Committee, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2016 - 2017
Student Representative, Admissions Committee, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2012 - 2013
Elected Representative, Student Health Committee, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2011 - 2015
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Young Professionals Committee, American Society of Neuroradiology, 2026 - 2027
Member, Education Committee, American Society of Neuroradiology, 2024 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2026 - Present | Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography - Editors Award of Distinction 2025, Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography |
| 2024 | American Journal of Neuroradiology Distinguished Reviewer 2023-2024, American Journal of Neuroradiology |
| 2023 | 2023 Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, Radiologic Society of North America |
| 2020 - Present | Alpha Omega Alpha Member, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Stanford University School of Medicine |
| 2016 | Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Medical Student Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine |
| 2014 - 2015 | NIMH Medical Student Fellowship, NIMH, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine |
| 2012 | Dean's Summer Research Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine |
| 2010 - Present | Phi Beta Kappa Society, Phi Beta Kappa Society, Hendrix College |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2026. Real-World PET and Theranostics: Head and Neck Malignancies. Invited. Head & Neck Educational Lecture Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. FDG PET/CT in Pre and Post-Treatment Head and Neck Cancer. Invited. Head & Neck Educational Lecture Series. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2024. Brain Tumor Mimics. Visiting. Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology. St. Louis, MO, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Real-World PET and Theranostics: Head and Neck Malignancies. Invited. American Society of Neuroradiology Annual Meeting 2026. Austin, Texas, US.
- 2025. FDG PET/CT in Pre and Post-Treatment Head and Neck Cancer. Invited. Western Neuroradiological Society - Annual Meeting. Monterey, CA, US.
- 2025. FDG PET/CT in Pre and Post-Treatment Head and Neck Cancer. Invited. American Society of Head & Neck Radiology - 59th Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2025. All About ASL!. Invited. American Society of Neuroradiology Education Advances Webinar, US.
- 2025. PET-Guided Diagnosis and Management in Neuro-Oncology: CNS PET Tumor Board. Panelist. American Society of Neuroradiology. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2025. High-Grade Gliomas. Panelist. Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics. Los Angeles, California, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Neuroradiology Science Session - Scientific Panel Moderator. Invited. Radiological Society of North America - Annual Meeting 2025. Chicago, US.
- 2024. Neuroradiology Science Session - Scientific Panel Moderator. Invited. Radiologic Society of North America Annual Meeting - 2024, US.
- 2024. Head and Neck Vascular Anomalies. Invited. BIEDX NeuroImaging Symposium 2024. Singapore, SG.
- 2023. Neuroradiology Science Session - Scientific Panel Moderator. Invited. Radiologic Society of North America Annual Meeting - 2023, US.
- 2022. Neuroradiology Science Session - Scientific Panel Moderator. Invited. Radiologic Society of North America Annual Meeting - 2022, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Khalaf A, Naya L, Flynt L, Surasi DS, Lu Y, Nagpal S, Thomas RP, Recht LD, Beckham TH, Liu HL, Davidzon G, Beinat C, Patel CB. [(18)F]DASA-23 PET/MRI evaluation in newly-diagnosed and recurrent high-grade glioma. Neuroradiology, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41920333.
- Dagher, R, Khalaf, A, Ferrarotto, R, Learned, KO. Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy Considerations in Head and Neck Oncology. Radiologic Clinics of North America 64(1):35-49, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41233057.
- Wotman MT, Khalaf A, Wang K, Meric-Bernstam F, Gillison ML, Akhave N, Kerrigan K, Ferrarotto R. Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in HER2-Low or HER2-Mutant Recurrent/Metastatic Secretory Gland Cancers of the Head and Neck: A Case Series. J Natl Compr Canc Netw:1-5, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41213241.
- Teo JM, Kumar VA, Khalaf AM, Noll KR, Ferguson SD, Ene CI, Prabhu SS, Wintermark M, Liu HL. Probabilistic template matching for detecting resting-state functional MRI language network in brain tumor patients. Med Phys 52(11):e70138, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41231662.
- Dagher SA, Learned KO, Dagher R, Wang JR, Zhao X, Hosseini SM, Maniakas A, Cabanillas ME, Busaidy NL, Dadu R, Iyer P, Zafereo ME, Khalaf AM. [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake as a Marker of Residual Anaplastic and Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Following BRAF-Targeted Therapy. American Journal of Neuroradiology 46(6):1260-1267, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39572200.
- Dagher R, Khalaf A, Calle S, Dagher SA, Shah KB, Juliano A, Aiken AH, Learned KO. Diagnostic Performance of Ultrasound in Neck Node NIRADS Category 2. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39993796.
- Johnson FM, O'Hara MP, Yapindi L, Jiang P, Tran HT, Reuben A, Xiao W, Gillison ML, Sun X, Khalaf A, Lee JJ, Sastry JK, Ghosh S. Phase I/II Study of the Aurora Kinase A Inhibitor Alisertib and Pembrolizumab in Refractory, Rb-Deficient Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res 31(3):479-490, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39589337.
- Jiang B, Ozkara BB, Creeden S, Zhu G, Ding VY, Chen H, Lanzman B, Wolman D, Shams S, Trinh A, Li Y, Khalaf A, Parker JJ, Halpern CH, Wintermark M. Validation of a deep learning model for traumatic brain injury detection and NIRIS grading on non-contrast CT: a multi-reader study with promising results and opportunities for improvement. Neuroradiology 65(11):1605-1617, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37269414.
- Khalaf AM, Nadel HR, Dahmoush HM. Simultaneously Acquired MRI Arterial Spin-Labeling and Interictal FDG-PET Improves Diagnosis of Pediatric Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. American Journal of Neuroradiology 43(3):468-473, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35210273.
- Creeden S, Ding VY, Parker JJ, Jiang B, Li Y, Lanzman B, Trinh A, Khalaf A, Wolman D, Halpern CH, Boothroyd D, Wintermark M. Interobserver Agreement for the Computed Tomography Severity Grading Scales for Acute Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 37(12):1445-1451, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31996087.
- Ghaderi Niri S, Khalaf AM, Massoud TF. The mammillothalamic tracts: Age-related conspicuity and normative morphometry on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Clin Anat 33(6):911-919, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32239548.
- Khalaf AM, Yedavalli V, Massoud TF. Magnetic resonance imaging anatomy and morphometry of lumbar intervertebral foramina to guide safe transforaminal subarachnoid punctures. Clin Anat 33(3):405-413, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31837183.
- Khalaf A, Karim H, Berkout OV, Andreescu C, Tudorascu D, Reynolds CF, Aizenstein H. Altered Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers of Affective Processing During Treatment of Late-Life Depression. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 24(10):791-801, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27364483.
- Khalaf A, Edelman K, Tudorascu D, Andreescu C, Reynolds CF, Aizenstein H. White Matter Hyperintensity Accumulation During Treatment of Late-Life Depression. Neuropsychopharmacology 40(13):3027-35, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26058663.
- Aizenstein HJ, Khalaf A, Walker SE, Andreescu C. Magnetic resonance imaging predictors of treatment response in late-life depression. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 27(1):24-32, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24381231.
- Khalaf A, Heller MT. Extra-skeletal osteosarcoma presenting as a peri-ampullary mass. J Gastrointest Cancer 45(1):103-5, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23479098.
- Khalaf A, Tani D, Tadros S, Madan S. Right-and left-ventricular strain evaluation in repaired pediatric Tetralogy of Fallot patients using magnetic resonance tagging. Pediatric Cardiology 34(5):1206-11, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23370639.
Review Articles
- Singh V, Khalaf A, Nguyen GK, Fagan R, Su SY, Learned K, Hsieh KJ. Imaging evaluation of sinonasal tract neoplasms. Mini-invasive Surg, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Khalaf A, Iv M, Fullerton H, Wintermark M. Pediatric Stroke Imaging. Pediatr Neurol 86:5-18, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30122281.
- Patel MJ, Khalaf A, Aizenstein HJ. Studying depression using imaging and machine learning methods. Neuroimage Clin 10:115-23, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26759786.
Professional Educational Materials
- Khalaf A. Spinal Trauma - Trainee Corner. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 2025.
- Vishesh J, Khalaf A, Franc B, Hashmi S. Metastatic Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma With Invasion of the IVC and Azygous Vein - ACR Case in Point. American College of Radiology.
Other Articles
- Gaddam S, Seifert K, Khalaf A, Penta M, Wintermark M, Hashmi S, Massoud TF Ortner's Cardiovocal Syndrome and Other Neck Vascular Etiologies of Vocal Cord Dysfunction: A Neuroimaging Review. American Society of Neuroradiology 60th Annual Meeting, 2022.
- Yedavalli V, Khalaf A, Massoud TF Anatomical Variants of the Internal Jugular Veins and an Imaging Review of Intraluminal and Extrinsic Obstructive Abnormalities. International Meeting of Anatomia Clinica, 2019.
- Yedavalli V, Creeden SG, Khalaf A, Massoud TF Neuroimaging Anatomy and Abnormalities of the Cranial Emissary Veins: A Pictorial and Educational Review. International Meeting of Anatomia Clinica, 2019.
- Martin D, Choi JJ, Khalaf A, Lanzman B, Massoud TF A Look At The Eyelids: A Pictorial Review of Pathologic Disorders and Neuroimaging Findings. American Society of Neuroradiology 56th Annual Meeting, 2018.
Editorials
- Ivanidze J, Franceschi AM, Wintermark M, Jordan JE, Aboian M, Anderson JC, Assadsangabi R, Benayoun MD, Benzinger TLS, Chiang GC, Ebani EJ, Famuyide A, Galldiks N, Hu LS, Johnson DR, Johnson JM, Khalaf A, Knight-Greenfield A, Lohmann P, Moradi F, Nabavizadeh A, Nickerson JP, Pérez-Carrillo GJG, Pyatigorskaya N, Roytman M, Shepherd T, Singh G, Starkey J, Veronesi MC, Whitlow CT, Yildiz S, Zeineh M, Zaharchuk G, Raghavan P, Barajas RF. ASNR Consensus Statement: Integrating Neuro-PET Interpretation into Neuroradiology Training and Practice. Am J Neuroradiol, 2025. PMID: 40780879.
Abstracts
- Sewastjanow-Silva M, Espinosa MC, Khalaf A, Takahashi Y, Hanna E, Su S. Olfactory neuroblastoma assessments by MRI and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. North American Skull Base Society 2026, 2026. e-Pub 2026.
- Al Qudah H, Calle S, Hamilton J, Khalaf A, Alizada S, Dagher S, Schellingerhout D, Wintermark M, Kumar V. Advanced Brain Tumor Imaging (ABTI) Primer: A Guide for Neuroradiology Trainees. American Society of Functional Neuroradiology Annual Meeting 2025, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Hong J, Kumar V, Taylor B, Khalaf A, Hou P, Liu H. Evaluation of DTI Deep Learning Reconstruction for Clinical Tractography in Patients with Brain Tumors. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Annual Meeting, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Taslicay C, Khalaf A, Wintermark M, Gule-Monroe M. Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman Disease of the Head and Neck: A Pictorial Review of Your Friendly Tumor Mimic. American Society of Neuroradiology Annual Meeting, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Taslicay C, Khalaf A, Wintermark M, Gule-Monroe M. Pictorial Review of Surprising Tumor Mimic in the Central Nervous System: Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman Disease. American Society of Neuroradiology Annual Meeting, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Dagher R, Calle S, Khalaf A, Learned K. Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Oncology: A Primer for Radiologists. Mechanisms, Treatment Paradigms, and Imaging Evaluation. Radiological Society of North America, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Dagher R, Calle S, Khalaf A, Learned K. Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Oncology: A Primer for Radiologists Mechanisms, Treatment Paradigms, and Imaging Evaluation. American Society of Head and Neck Radiology Annual Meeting, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Dagher S, Dagher R, Learned K, Khalaf A. [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake as a Marker of Residual Poorly Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Following BRAF-Targeted Therapy. American Society of Neuroradiology Annual Meeting, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Naya L, Beinat C, Khalaf A, Recht L, Patel C. Impact of ketogenic diet on molecular metabolic imaging with [18F]FDG and [18F]DASA-23 positron emission tomography in a patient with glioblastoma. 29th Annual Meeting Society for Neuro-Oncology, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Khalaf A, Shahrzad M, Van Staalduinen E, Telischak N, Hasmi S, Wintermark M, Massoud TF. Vertebral Artery Compression Syndromes of the Medulla Oblongata: A Review of Neuroimaging-Neurological Correlations. American Society of Neuroradiology 60th Annual Meeting, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Van Staalduinen E, Khalaf A, Shahrzad M, Dhawan S, Zeineh M, Hasmi S, Wintermark M, Massoud TF. The Role of Neuroimaging in Aid of Minimally Invasive Functional Neurosurgical Procedures: A Pictorial and Educational Review. American Society of Neuroradiology 60th Annual Meeting, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Khalaf A, Verdey A, Iagaru A. Multiple Recurrent Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma. Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Niri S, Khalaf A, Massoud TF. Normative Age-Related Neuroimaging Morphometry of the Mamillothalamic Tracts to Aid Deep Brain Stimulation Procedures. American Society of Neuroradiology 58th Annual Meeting, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Khalaf A, Yedavalli V, Jain MS, Massoud TF. Applied MRI Anatomy and Morphometry of Normal Lumbar Spine Vertebral Foramina for Safe Transforaminal Lumbar Puncture Procedures. International Meeting of Anatomia Clinica, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Yedavalli V, Khalaf A, Jain MS, Massoud TF. Anatomical Location of the Vertebro-Basilar Junction: MRI Morphometrics for Planning Neuroendoscopic Transsphenoidal Transclival Approaches to the Prepontine Cistern. International Meeting of Anatomia Clinica, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Msherghi A, Kamel P, Barakat C, Al Qudah H, Khalaf A, Chasen N, Wintermark M, Learned K. The Role of Ultrasound as a Pre-Biopsy Triage Step in the Evaluation of FDG-Avid Cervical Lymph Nodes During Post-Treatment Surveillance of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. American Society of Head and Neck Radiology.
Book Chapters
- Khalaf A, Massoud TF, Hashmi S. Traumatic Injuries of the Spine. In: What Radiology Residents Need to Know: Neuroradiology. Springer, 2024.
- Khalaf A, Raghavan P, Wintermark M. CNS Infectious Disease. In: Hybrid PET/MR Neuroimaging: A Comprehensive Approach. 2nd Edition. Springer.
- Khalaf A, Raghavan P, Wintermark M. CNS Demyelinating Disease. In: Hybrid PET/MR Neuroimaging: A Comprehensive Approach. 2nd Edition. Springer.
- Khalaf A, Raghavan P, Wintermark M. CNS Autoimmune Disease. In: Hybrid PET/MR Neuroimaging: A Comprehensive Approach. 2nd Edition. Springer.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 24, 2026