A Clatterbridge consultant has been honoured with the distinguished title of Honorary Clinical Associate Professor from the University of Liverpool, where he has been serving as an honorary senior lecturer.
Dr – now Professor – Abhishek Mahajan has received this prestigious recognition in acknowledgement of his high-level expertise in radiology.
Prof Mahajan joined The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust in March 2022 as a consultant radiologist, bringing exceptional specialist knowledge in head and neck, neurological, skull base and thyroid malignancies, carcinoma of unknown primary, and the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence in imaging.
He is highly research active and serves as principal investigator for more than 20 imaging projects, including six dedicated to AI. He is currently leading the development of a comprehensive head and neck cancer imaging databank and pioneering research on grading extranodal extension in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Prof Mahajan has also authored 497 peer-reviewed publications indexed on Google Scholar, a level of academic contribution achieved by only a select few in clinical radiology.
In 2023, Prof Mahajan was named Oncology Radiologist of the Year at the International JCA Radiology Awards, a global honour recognising excellence across radiology and radiography. His nomination highlighted his leadership in research and his commitment to advancing diagnostic precision in cancer imaging.
Prof Mahajan said: “I am delighted to join the University of Liverpool as an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor. Working across clinical and academic oncology is both challenging and profoundly fulfilling.
“I remain deeply committed to advancing cancer research, particularly in radiology. The partnership between the University of Liverpool and Clatterbridge continues to strengthen, enhancing our capacity to discover better treatments and deliver ever-improving care for our patients.”
Prof Mahajan completed his medical training at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India, followed by a cancer imaging fellowship at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai from 2009 to 2011. He went on to serve at the Tata Memorial Centre as a consultant radiologist and professor of radiology until 2022. Before joining CCC, he earned a Master’s in Translational Cancer Medicine from King’s College London and undertook visiting observerships in Boston, Brisbane, and London, broadening his international expertise.
Alongside his academic and clinical journey, Prof Mahajan has spoken openly about the challenges he faced as a gay man in India, noting that persistent discrimination deeply shaped his decision to build his life and career abroad, where he could live and work with greater authenticity and safety.
Dr Gillian Heap, Director of Research and Innovation Operations, said: “This recognition for Professor Mahajan is richly deserved. His research output is exceptional in both scale and significance, and his appointment at the University of Liverpool will undoubtedly amplify this impact.
“Since joining Clatterbridge only a few years ago, he has already made an extraordinary contribution to our research portfolio. His achievements strengthen our national reputation as a leading cancer centre with patient-centred research at its heart.”
