Welcome aboard: Celina Morimoto

Dr. Celina Morimoto (she/her) joined Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in October as an assistant clinical professor of radiation oncology in the Department of Clinical Sciences.

A native of Brazil, she earned a D.V.M. at the University of São Paulo and an M.S. from the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine, where she also completed a small animal rotating internship. Morimoto later finished a radiation oncology residency at the University of Illinois.

She looks forward to combining teaching, researching, and practicing radiation oncology. “I enjoy teaching, working in a hospital setting, and the possibility of collaborating with different veterinary specialties and human medicine,” she says. “That brought me to academia.”

Morimoto was intrigued by Cummings School’s location and its reputation. “I learned about the high demand for radiation therapy for pets and Massachusetts has a nice international community that is friendly and welcoming to immigrants,” she explains.

Using technology to treat cancer in pets is an exciting aspect of her specialty. “We can now offer stereotactic radiation”, Morimoto says. “While conventional radiation is delivered in 3-4 weeks, stereotactic radiation delivers very high doses in less than a week, minimizing the number of times a patient undergoes anesthesia.”

As part of a smaller team, Morimoto enjoys a variety of responsibilities and looks forward to collaborating with students, referring veterinarians, and colleagues in the different services. “I love the interaction that a teaching hospital brings, compared to private practice." 

Easily approachable, Morimoto is eager to meet members of the campus community and the multicultural international community. She also loves playing volleyball, and cooking and enjoys crafting, especially origami.