Investing Back in BC Cancer: Dr. Srinivas Raman
March 18, 2026
Found in BC Cancer - Vancouver, Radiation Oncology
Dr. Srinivas Raman grew up in Vancouver and completed degrees in mechanical engineering and medicine at UBC, so after working for five years in Toronto he was thrilled to return home in 2024 to work as a radiation oncologist at BC Cancer.
“Ever since I was a medical student here, I’ve always wanted to work at BC Cancer. It’s a dream come true that I’m back,” he says.”
A few months into his new role, he received an email about the BC Cancer Foundation’s Ignite Progress program. The employee matching program offered a unique opportunity for staff and alumnae donations of $25,000 or more to be matched by the BC Cancer Foundation and directed towards approved research or care priorities.
“At my previous institution in Toronto, we worked closely with the foundation, but I’d never seen a program like this before,” says Dr. Raman.
“The idea that my donation could be matched and directed toward work I am passionate about really excited me.”
Paying philanthropy forward
The Ignite Progress program deeply resonated with Dr. Raman as it felt like a natural next step in his own career, which has been shaped by philanthropic impact.
“I was inspired by my own experience with a very generous donor who was quite interested in how technology can be used to improve cancer care. Their donation funded a lot of my initial work and helped launch some impactful projects in our department — but it also provided an opportunity for me to grow as a clinician and as a researcher.”
“As I approach mid-career, I can finally contribute myself. And having my donation matched by the BC Cancer Foundation makes it possible to do something truly meaningful.”
Supporting the future of cancer care
Dr. Srinivas’ generosity — which was doubled through Ignite Progress — is now driving three priorities in his work to treat genitourinary and thoracic cancers.
It will fund the recruitment of a fellow, joining next year from McGill University, who will train both in the clinic and help with research. It will also support clinical trials in prostate and lung cancer, with a lens on how imaging and AI can be used to personalize radiotherapy and help reduce side effects for patients. And it will support research in exploring how AI can help automate radiotherapy workflows to improve patient care.
“If we can harness AI to help get patients treated faster and move through the system in a more efficient way, I think that’s going to be a benefit for patients,” he says.
“Automation and AI also have the potential to reduce the burden on staff, creating a better experience for people working at and receiving care at BC Cancer.”
We can all make a difference
Dr. Raman says his eyes were opened early on as to the impact donors can have on cancer research and care.
“Philanthropy really addresses a need that maybe is not a priority for granting agencies and industry in providing funding. There are some very important research questions that don’t find a home in terms of finding funds, and the Foundation plays an important part in filling those gaps.”
As a busy clinician, he says it can also be hard to find the time to apply for research grants or wait years for a grant to be approved to move ideas forward.
“If there’s an important research question, the Foundation is a great partner to help move things along or generate pilot data needed to apply for larger grants years later.”
“I’m just incredibly grateful that I am now in a position to help make all of this possible.”
The BC Cancer Foundation is providing $2.5 million in matching funds through the BC Cancer Ignite Progress program. Since 2020, the Ignite Progress program has provided an incredible $10 million in funding to projects and innovations led by BC Cancer teams.
