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Scott Richard Floyd

Gary Hock and Lyn Proctor Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncology
Levine Science Research Center, B233, 450 Research Drive, Box 103655, Durham, NC 27710
Duke Cancer Institute, Box 3085 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Diseases of the brain carry particular morbidity and mortality, given the fundamental function of the brain for human life and quality of life. Disease of the brain are also particularly difficult to study, given the complexity of the brain. Model systems that capture this complexity, but still allow for experiments to test therapies and mechanisms of disease are badly needed.  We have developed an experimental model system that uses slices made from rat and mouse brains to create a test platform to research new treatments for brain diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and brain tumors. This model system reduces the number of experimental animals used, and streamlines experiments so that final testing in laboratory animals is more efficient. We use this brainslice system and limited numbers of experimental animals to test drugs and genetic pathways to treat stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and brain tumors. As many brain tumors are treated with radiation therapy, we have a particular interest in the cellular response to DNA damage caused by radiation. DNA damage signaling and repair are fundamental processes necessary for cells to maintain genomic integrity. Problems with these processes can lead to cancer. As many cancer cells have altered DNA damage and repair pathways, we can apply DNA damage as cancer therapy. Our knowledge of how normal and neoplastic cells handle DNA damage is still incomplete. A deeper understanding can lead to improved cancer treatment, and to better protection from the harmful effects of DNA damaging agents like radiation. To this end, we plan experiments that test the effects of radiation on normal animal tissues and animal models of cancer, as well as molecular pathways in brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and stroke.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Gary Hock and Lyn Proctor Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology · 2019 - Present Radiation Oncology, Clinical Science Departments
Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology · 2018 - Present Radiation Oncology, Clinical Science Departments
Assistant Research Professor in Pharmacology and Cancer Biology · 2016 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2015 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


A Radiogenomic Deep Ensemble Learning Model for Identifying Radionecrosis Following Brain Metastases (BM) Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer BM

Journal Article Advances in Radiation Oncology · August 1, 2025 Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is widely used for brain metastases (BM), but the risk of radionecrosis poses a challenge in post-SRS management. Given the lack of noninvasive imaging methods for distinguishing radionecrosis from recurrence, we ai ... Full text Cite

Multi-institutional Outcomes after Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gastrointestinal Brain Metastases.

Journal Article Adv Radiat Oncol · July 2025 PURPOSE: To compare outcomes between gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal patients with brain metastases after radiosurgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective cohort study identifying patients completing an initial course of radiosurgery between Jan ... Full text Link to item Cite

Management outcomes for biopsy-proven radiation necrosis in patients with brain metastases in the era of immune-checkpoint blockade.

Journal Article J Neurooncol · June 16, 2025 PURPOSE: Immunotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are frequently combined in the management of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma. However, concurrent SRS and dual immune-checkpoint inhibition (ICPI) elevate the ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


NEUROD1 function in SCLC fate and plasticity

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

ASPET SURF Institutional Award

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEParticipating Faculty Member · Awarded by American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · 2018 - 2028

Synthetic lethality with BET bromodomain inhibition

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Cancer Society, Inc. · 2025 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Yale University, School of Medicine · 2002 M.D.
Yale University · 2002 Ph.D.