AROICON 2026

Dr. Vimoj J. Nair, MBBS, MD, MSc, FRCPC is an Associate Professor in the Division of Radiation Oncology at the University of Ottawa, Clinician Investigator at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), and Vice Chair of the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB), one of Canada’s leading oncology research ethics boards. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) Cureus Journal and contributes to the editorial and peer-review activities of several international academic journals.

Dr. Nair completed his MD in Radiation Oncology from Pt. B.D. Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, India. Following residency training, he pursued specialized Neuro-Oncology Fellowship training at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India, along with advanced brachytherapy fellowship training at the Texas Cancer Clinic, USA, through the prestigious American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) Fellowship Program. He subsequently completed Fellowship training in Robotic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and obtained Fellowship certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC). He also holds a Master’s degree (MSc) in Clinical Trials from the University of London, United Kingdom, and a Professional Diploma in Clinical Research (PDCR), India. In addition, he has completed advanced leadership and academic development training through the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Nair is internationally recognized for his expertise in neuro-oncology, pediatric radiation oncology, stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT/SRS), advanced imaging, and precision radiation medicine. His clinical and translational research focuses on radiation-induced neurotoxicity, adaptive and high-precision radiotherapy, artificial intelligence and virtual reality applications in radiation oncology, and innovative biologic approaches including gut microbiome research in glioblastoma treatment outcomes. His work is centered on integrating emerging technologies with clinically impactful, patient-focused cancer care.

His work has contributed to several pioneering innovations in radiation oncology, including publication of the first Canadian experience using SBRT for medically inoperable kidney tumors, introduction of novel platinum fiducial markers in place of traditional gold fiducials for MRI-based real-time tumor tracking in robotic radiosurgery, and serving as the clinician researcher for the development and validation of one of the world’s first immersive virtual reality–based radiation treatment planning and contouring platforms at the University of Ottawa. His multidisciplinary research collaborations span translational and clinical domains including animal models, neurophysiology, radiology, advanced imaging, radiation physics, and precision radiotherapy technologies.

He holds leadership roles within national and international oncology collaborations, including the Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Group (CCTG) CNS/Brain Disease Site Committee, and has contributed to the development of national and international oncology guidelines in both adult and pediatric cancers.

An invited international speaker and educator, Dr. Nair has delivered keynote lectures, expert panel discussions, contouring workshops, and academic sessions at major radiation oncology and neuro-oncology conferences across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and scientific abstracts and has been recognized for excellence in research, education, innovation, and leadership in radiation oncology, including the Best Teacher in Radiation Oncology Award.

Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Nair is deeply committed to mentorship and trainee development, actively supporting medical students, residents, fellows, and research trainees in clinical and scholarly advancement. He is also passionate about community engagement and knowledge translation initiatives aimed at improving cancer awareness, education, and equitable access to oncology care within visible minority and underserved communities.

I am a radiation oncologist and clinical leader, currently serving as Academic Chief at Allegheny Health Network and VP of Medical Affairs at Varian Medical Systems, Inc. My work focuses on advancing innovative radiation techniques to improve outcomes and access.

Leadership & Roles

• VP, Medical Affairs, Varian Medical Systems
• Academic Chief, Allegheny Health Network
• Former deputy director, program director and brachytherapy director at UPMC (Hillman Cancer Center)

Clinical & Research Focus

• Gynecologic, Breast & Prostate Cancers
• Advance radiation technology including MRI-based HDR Brachytherapy and AI
• 450+ peer review publications

Honors & Contributions

• Gynecologic, Breast & Prostate Cancers
• Advance radiation technology including MRI-based HDR Brachytherapy and AI
• 450+ peer review publications

Dr Amarnath Challapalli is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Clinical Director of the Bristol Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, specialising in the management of urological cancers and non-melanoma skin cancers. He undertook his medical and postgraduate training in clinical oncology in India and in the UK, achieving Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) and the Royal College of Physicians, London (FRCP). He completed a PhD at Imperial College, London in January 2014.

Dr. Challapalli is a Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) Clinical Champion. He championed the improvement of patient access to PSMA-PET scans and has set up the Lutetium PSMA Radio ligand service in Bristol. He is a clinical expert for the NICE evidence review groups (Sheffield & PenTAG) and for appraisals of Relugolix and Erdafitinib. He is a member of the NICE Kidney cancer guidelines development committee and the Clinical Reference Group of the National Kidney and Prostate Cancer Audit. He is a panel member of Mirrors in Medicine, an International Case-based professional development platform. He organises and lectures in the biennial RCR skin cancer study day and has co-developed the skin cancer e-learning module for the RCR. He has been appointed as the RCR Learning lead and education secretary for the Bristish Uro-oncology Group (BUG). He has developed and leads the brachytherapy service for non-melanoma skin cancers at BHOC. He is a member of BUG, ESTRO and GEC-ESTRO Head&Neck brachytherapy group. He is a panel member of national and international guideline committees and is currently involved in developing the GEC-ESTRO skin brachytherapy guidelines.

Dr. Challapalli is actively involved in research into urological and non-melanoma skin cancers. He has been appointed as the NIHR lead for Cancer trials. He is the UK Chief Investigator for the adjuvant Cemiplimab trial in high-risk squamous cell carcinoma (C-POST trial), REACT-Cemi trial, IMPACT trial (Cemiplimab in advanced BCC), BET-PSMA trial, PSMA-DC trial and a Co-Chief Investigator of the ACE trial in prostate cancer and EPIC trial in penile cancer. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international meetings.