Halperin is a pediatric radiation oncologist, medical historian and health sciences educator. His research focuses on pediatric cancer, ethics and the history of racial, religious and gender discrimination in higher education. He is the co-author/editor of the first through sixth editions of Pediatric Radiation Oncology,[3][4][5] the fourth through eighth editions of Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology[6][7][8] and more than 240 articles in peer-reviewed scientific, historical, education and ethics literature.
Halperin is on the website editor of the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society.[9] He was previously associate editor of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics,[10] on the editorial boards of Academic Medicine and Radiology, associate editor and deputy editor of the North Carolina Medical Journal.[11]
Born in Somerville, New Jersey, United States to parents Irving Max Halperin, a pharmacist, and L. Ruth J. Halperin, an eighth grade English teacher. He attended the public schools of Somerville including Somerville High School.[citation needed]
Halperin was on the faculty at Duke University for 23 years – starting in 1983 as an assistant professor in the Division of Radiation Oncology.[14] He became an associate professor with tenure in the Department of Radiation Oncology in 1987 and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics in 1990. In 1993, he became professor of the Department of Radiation Oncology and departmental chair in 1994. Halperin was appointed Department of Radiation Oncology chair then vice dean of Duke University School of Medicine and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at Duke University Medical Center.[15]
In 2006 Halperin moved to the University of Louisville and was named dean of the School of Medicine, Ford Foundation Professor of Medical Education and professor of radiation oncology, pediatrics and history. Then in 2011, he became the vice provost.[14]
Halperin has been married, since 1981, to Sharon F. Halperin, M.P.H., Director of the Center for Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education of North Carolina.[18] The Halperins are the parents of three daughters and grandparents of five children.