Grant Topics
We support a broad range of technology research. Our interests include, but are not limited to, these topics:
General
- Resource-constrained areas
- Clinical Evidence/Trials
- Cost Effectiveness
- Value-Based Care
- Operational Studies (reducing infrastructure complexities, reducing clinician burden)
Adaptive Radiotherapy
- Treatment quality (clinically meaningful metrics), compare to historical
- Outcome modeling (NCTP, TCP, etc.)
- Automated target contouring
- Clinical decision support -- offline or at- console
- Deformable image registration visualization
- Longitudinal response assessment
- Novel approaches pushing the therapeutic envelope (shrinking margins, increasing tumor doses)
- Functional adaptation (multi-modality imaging applications using adaptive tools)
- Novel use of adaptive tools (eg. rapid plan & treat)
Artificial Intelligence
- Increasing safety of systems and processes
- Error detection and augmentation (treatment planning, data transfer, imaging, treatment delivery)
- Decreasing planning and treatment variability
- Uncertainty quantification
- Assisted plan review
- Novel algorithms, benefits and applications
- AI agents
- Reinforcement learning, continuous or incremental learning
- Cognitive AI
- Clinical benefits
- Outcomes prediction
Automation
- Target segmentation
- Identification of crucial inputs
- Evidence-based decision making
Cancer Care Management
- Decision support to enable precision medicine
- AI-based workflow optimization
- Patient Reported Outcomes and impact on care
- Elevating patient engagement
- AI-based scheduling and resource utilization
- Survivorship focused research
- Elevating outcomes using digital technology
Clinical Operations
- Analysis of care patterns, efficiency studies, etc
- Quantifying benefits of software tools
- Centralized treatment planning
Clinical Studies
- Use and value of new Varian technologies and solutions
- Use of SBRT, especially for oligometastatic disease
- Comparative and cost effectiveness studies (e.g., RT vs non-RT modalities)
- Clinical studies in precision medicine, incorporating genomic and/or radiomic information into Varian systems
- Role of radiotherapy as an immune system modulator
- Evaluation of novel applications of radiation using linear accelerators for non- oncologic diseases (functional SRS, pain, OCD, etc)
Cloud-based Software Solutions
- Aggregation and curation solutions
- Data security, cyber security
- Data privacy
- Efficient ways of transferring data to/from the cloud
- Microservices and workflow
- Web services
- Algorithm parallelization and high performance computing
- Assisted automated commissioning of algorithm updates
Imaging
- Dual energy imaging applications in RO
- Technology comparison of imaging techniques for specific applications
- Unique multi-modal imaging applications
- Site-specific imaging solutions for unmet clinical needs
- Incorporating imaging with dynamic trajectories during
Motion Management
- Motion modeling/prediction (includes AI approaches)
- DTS for motion monitoring during treatment
- Soft tissue tracking/monitoring during treatment delivery
- Unique methods for noninvasive internal motion monitoring
- Respiratory regulation techniques/studies
- Optimal breath-hold approaches
Research Priorities
Innovation in medical research and clinical trials
Application process
Learn more about the application process or apply for a Technology Grant.
Technology research contacts
Michael Davis, MS, JD, FAAPM
Director, Research and Educational Grants
Email: michael.davis@varian.com
Michel Closset
Medical Science Liaison
Region: Europe
Email: michel.closset@varian.com
Camille Noel, MSCI, PhD
Director, Medical Science Liaisons
Region: Americas
Email: camille.noel@varian.com
Johnny Cheng
Medical Science Liaison
Region: Asia and Australia
Email: johnny.cheng@varian.com