Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D.

Biography

Martin G. Pomper, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor and Chair of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and serves in both the Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine Divisions.  He holds the Effie and Wofford Cain Distinguished Chair of Diagnostic Imaging.  

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Pomper received both his Ph.D. and M.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He then underwent an internship on the Osler Medical Service, residency training in diagnostic radiology and separately in nuclear medicine, followed by a fellowship in neuroradiology, at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Before joining UT Southwestern in 2023, Dr. Pomper served on the faculty of the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science at Johns Hopkins University as the Director of the Division of Nuclear Medicine. He was the inaugural William R. Brody Chair of Radiology and later the Henry N. Wagner, Jr., M.D. Chair of Nuclear Medicine. He also served as the Associate Dean for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development and held joint appointments in several schools and departments including the Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering.  

Dr. Pomper focuses his research on molecular imaging and therapy for cancer and central nervous system disorders. His work has resulted in nearly 500 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals and a number of patents and presentations at professional conferences throughout the world.  

While his work has involved molecular-genetic imaging, nanomedicine, and generation of new positron emission tomography (PET)-based agents for neuroinflammation, his greatest effort has been in the discovery and development of small molecules targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). He created the first small molecules for imaging PSMA and the first commercial PSMA-targeted PET agent (PYLARIFY®). His group also created the first PSMA-targeted imaging and therapeutic (theranostic) agents incorporating a radiometal. Compounds of the same chemical class have been approved by the FDA and are used worldwide to help manage patients with prostate cancer.

Dr. Pomper’s commitment to advancing medical research is evidenced by his service to the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Institutes of Health, the Scientific Review Committee of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the World Molecular Imaging Society. 

During his spare time, Dr. Pomper enjoys spending time with family, reading, music, and sports.