Robert Olson

Dr. Robert Olson is a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of British Columbia (UBC), specializing in Radiation Oncology and Developmental Radiotherapeutics. He holds affiliate appointments at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and practices at BC Cancer. His roles include Division Head of Radiation Oncology, Associate Head (Research) for UBC's Department of Surgery, and Research Lead for the Northern Medical Program. Dr. Olson's clinical focus includes Head and Neck, Breast, and Oligometastatic cancers, with a strong emphasis on Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) and rural health services research.

Education: BSc (Honours) from University of Calgary, MD from University of Calgary, MSc in Epidemiology from Harvard University. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (Radiation Oncology).

Research interests center on clinical trials, PRO systems, and improving cancer care accessibility in rural areas. He leads the SABR-COMET-3 international phase III trial and the PROSPECTIVE Outcomes Initiative. Over 90 trainees have been supervised, with expertise in oncology education and faculty development.

Key achievements include designing interventions to optimize radiotherapy practices, leading national and international trials, and advancing PRO integration into clinical care. Awards and grants include Michael Smith Foundation funding, CIHR grants, and leadership in Canada-wide radiotherapy initiatives.