A/PROF RAJENDER KUMAR

Additional Professor

Department for Nuclear Medicine

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)

Chandigarh, India

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Dr. Rajender Kumar is an Additional Professor of Nuclear Medicine at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, INDIA. He is a clinician-scientist focused on molecular imaging, theranostics, and precision interventions using PET/CT. Dr. Kumar’s research emphasizes enhancing personalized diagnosis and targeted treatments by leveraging advanced molecular imaging techniques, including PSMA, FAPI, FDG, and 18F-sodium fluoride PET/CT. 

One of his key contributions is the development of PET/CT-guided minimally invasive interventions. He has been a pioneering figure in introducing and clinically implementing. He has pioneered the innovative use of robotic arm-assisted PET/CT-guided interventions. He is the leading expert in interventional nuclear medicine in India, with many publications in the leading Imaging journals. He pioneered the use of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for robotic-arm-assisted transgluteal prostate biopsies. His research represents a substantial advancement in integrating molecular imaging with robotics and precision oncology, aiming to improve clinical outcomes for patients with prostate cancer. In addition to prostate cancer, Dr. Kumar has explored the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT for guiding biopsies of pulmonary lesions, as well as created clinical applications for 18F-NaF PET/CT-guided precision pain interventions. These include image-guided intra-articular treatments for patients with facet joint and sacroiliac joint arthropathy, showcasing the versatility of molecular imaging across various medical applications. Dr. Kumar’s vision extends beyond disease detection; he aims to identify biologically relevant targets and guide personalized treatment strategies. 

Dr. Kumar plays an important advisory role, with a strong focus on robotic arm-assisted PET/CT-guided interventions. He has conducted two national workshops on PET/CT-guided interventions at Chandigarh, India (2020 and 2023).  He is an active investigator for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sponsored research and the Indian Council of Medical Research. As a committed educator, he is guiding the Nuclear Medicine residency program at PGIMER, Chandigarh. 

He has 318 peer-reviewed publications with an H index of 25. By integrating molecular imaging and robotics, Dr. Kumar is dedicated to advancing theranostics and radio-molecular precision medicine, ultimately striving to develop more accurate, personalized, and minimally invasive approaches to patient care.