Clarisa Sánchez introduced the new AI in Oncology Lab during the first ICAI Day, on 22nd April 2021. This lab establishes a collaboration between the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) with the aim of creating an ecosystem focused on AI technology for Oncology for the improvement of diagnosis and therapy of cancer. The lab counts with Clarisa Sánchez (UvA) and Jan-Jakob Sonke (NKI) as Scientific directors, and Jonas Teuwen (NKI) as Lab manager.

The cancer burden is estimated to have risen to 2.7 million new cases (all types, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and 1.3 million deaths in 2020. Advances in cancer research have the potential to save life and improve patient care. AI in Oncology represents an opportunity to take big steps forward in cancer research.

The first two projects of the Lab are confirmed, with the corresponding PhD students that will be part of them:

• Shannon Doyle will be working on “AI-based risk and outcome prediction in calcified breast lesions”.
• George Yiasemis will be working on “Active MRI acquisition and real-time tracking of tumors and organs-at-risk during MRI-guided radiotherapy using AI”.