In a significant international recognition, Dr Ankit Watts from the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has been conferred with the prestigious SNMMI Future Leaders Award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), USA at its Mid-winter Metting of held in collaboration with annual meeting of American college of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM) at Orlando, Florida, USA from 21st to 24th January 2026.

The award recognizes Dr. Watts for his outstanding academic achievements, leadership in research, and growing international influence in the field of Nuclear Medicine. He was the sole representative from India among 15 young awardees worldwide, rendering this honor both unique and fiercely competitive, while also elevating the global reputation of PGIMER and India.

SNMMI is the world’s largest and most influential professional society in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, representing over 18,000 physicians, scientists, researchers, and radio pharmacists across the globe. The Future Leaders Award is bestowed upon early-career professionals who demonstrate outstanding promise as innovators, researchers, and future global leaders in the discipline. The 2026 SNMMI Future Leaders Academy was mentored by Dr Susan Reynolds, who served as a practicing physician at the White House Health Professionals Review Group, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Prof. Dr. Jean-Luc-C Urbain (President SNMMI) & Dr. Heather Jacene (President Elect SNMMI) Felicitating Dr. Ankit Watts with the Award

Dr. Watts was honoured with the award for his substantial contributions to research and his promising leadership capabilities in the field of Nuclear Medicine. He has recently finished a distinguished fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, which is recognized as one of the leading medical and research institutions globally. During this one year fellowship, Dr Ankit Watts did groundbreaking research in advancing targeted alpha therapy for osteosarcoma treatment, presenting a state-of-the-art therapeutic strategy..

This prestigious international recognition emphasizes PGIMER's expanding global presence in the field of advanced nuclear medicine research and showcases Dr. Watts as one of the most promising young scientists from India on the international platform.