Oncologist combining datasets with artificial intelligence to improve care for cancer patients
Since 2019, the Hold’em for Life Charity Challenge has championed cancer research and education through its significant support for clinician-scientist fellowships at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and its partner hospitals. Last year, a generous new donation established 12 new professorships for early-career (within the first five years of academic appointment) clinician-scientists working in a broad range of cancer-related fields at U of T-affiliated hospitals.
Among the recipients are several rising stars in the Department of Medicine, including oncologist and assistant professor Dr. Robert Grant.
Dr. Grant’s journey into cancer research began during his first year of medical school when he joined the lab of Dr. Steven Gallinger to study inherited causes of pancreatic cancer. At the time, Dr. Gallinger was pioneering the use of exome sequencing – a new technology that allowed scientists to examine the entire protein-coding portion of the genome.
“His curiosity and drive to solve complex problems was infectious,” recalls Dr. Grant. “I was also struck by how seamlessly he combined cutting-edge research with compassionate care for people with pancreatic cancer. This early experience inspired me to be a clinician-investigator focused on pancreatic cancer.”
Before entering medicine, Dr. Grant studied econometrics – the statistical science of economics. As his career progressed, he expanded his research focus to genomics and artificial intelligence (AI). Today, he co-leads two major genomics programs: PanCuRx (focused on pancreatic cancer) at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and the Legresley Biliary Registry (focused on biliary tract cancer) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He also leads a research lab dedicated to applying AI to routinely collected electronic health record (EHR) data.
“Our goal is to fuse these multimodal datasets with state-of-the-art AI, generating discoveries and decision-support systems that help people with pancreatic and biliary tract cancers live longer, better lives,” says Dr. Grant.
As a recipient of a Hold’em for Life Professorship, Dr. Grant will receive $75,000 annually for three years to support his research. This funding has provided him with stable support that can often be difficult to secure early in an academic career.
So far, the funding has contributed to computing resources (a graphics processing unit, the specialized computing system that drives AI), personnel (a machine learning analyst), and collaboration and knowledge dissemination opportunities via conferences and publications.
Over the next three years, Dr. Grant and his team will focus on a three-phase research plan: assembling large-scale datasets (year 1), building predictive models (year 2), and preparing for clinical deployment and sustainability (year 3).
“I believe integrating multimodal data using AI will be central to the future of cancer care,” he says.
During the course of a cancer journey, patients generate a vast array of data – lab results, imaging, pathology reports, clinical notes, and increasingly, genomic data. At the same time, AI is rapidly advancing in its ability to synthesize and interpret this complex information.
“These converging forces offer an unprecedented opportunity to deliver personalized treatment recommendations and proactive, supportive care,” says Dr. Grant. “Ultimately, we’re working toward a future where this integration improves outcomes and quality of life for people affected by cancer.”
