Surbhi Grover

Surbhi Grover is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine and serves as Director of Global Radiation Oncology and Oncology Lead for the Botswana-UPenn Partnership. She also holds an adjunct senior lecturer position at the University of Botswana. Her work is centered in Botswana, India, and South Africa, focusing on improving cancer care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Research Interests: Dr. Grover’s research spans Global Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Cervical Cancer, HPV, and the intersection of HIV and cancer. She is dedicated to public health initiatives that enhance access to care and improve clinical outcomes in resource-limited settings. Her work integrates clinical practice, research, and health systems strengthening.

Recent Research Trends: Her recent publications highlight a strong focus on cervical cancer care delivery, particularly around timely diagnosis and treatment. She investigates the role of HPV viral load as a biomarker, the impact of HIV on treatment outcomes, and systemic barriers to care, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work often addresses implementation challenges of radiotherapy and brachytherapy in LMICs.

Scientific Awards and Funding:

• NIH K08 Award (PI)
• NIH U01 Grant (PI)
• NIH U54 Grant (Study Lead)
• NIH Administrative Supplement (Co-Scientific Lead)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Grover mentors junior investigators through the U54 mentoring core at the University of Botswana. She has led major NIH-funded studies, including a prospective pilot on HIV and cervical cancer and the development of the first multidisciplinary gynecologic tumor board in Botswana. Her current grants focus on treatment timeliness and biomarker discovery.

Labs and Teams: She leads the Global Radiation Oncology program at UPenn and is central to the Botswana-UPenn Partnership oncology team. She collaborates with multidisciplinary clinicians and researchers across Botswana, India, and the U.S. to advance equitable cancer care.