Anita Mahajan, MD

Anita Mahajan, M.D., is a radiation oncologist who treats children and adults with brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. She cares for patients with primary and metastatic CNS malignancies, with a focus on precision radiation therapy approaches designed to reduce long-term, treatment-related side effects. She has expertise in proton and photon radiation therapy and multidisciplinary care for complex CNS cancers.

Dr. Mahajan is the director of adult CNS in the Greater Washington area and director of the new Johns Hopkins Pediatric Radiation Oncology Research Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital. Funded by a $40 million gift, the research center will lead the way in researching and developing pediatric proton therapy treatment, including neurobiology, imaging, artificial intelligence and drug development.

Dr. Mahajan’s clinical and translational research focuses on improving outcomes for patients with CNS tumors, with an emphasis on reducing neurocognitive toxicity associated with radiation therapy. Her research interests include large-scale data integration through pediatric radiation oncology databases, development of targeted therapies to prevent and mitigate radiation-induced brain injury, and the advancement of prehabilitation and rehabilitation programs to support cognitive outcomes.

An internationally recognized leader in pediatric and adult CNS radiation oncology and proton therapy, Dr. Mahajan has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and has held national and international leadership roles in clinical trials, guidelines and education.