image: Speed of Light - The ASTRO Foundation
Credit: ASTRO/Speed of Light - The ASTRO Foundation
ARLINGTON, Va., January 1, 2026 — The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today that it rebranded its research foundation, formerly the Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI), as Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation, marking a new chapter in ASTRO’s commitment to advancing research and improving patient care in radiation oncology.
The transition comes at a pivotal moment for the field, as scientific opportunities in radiation oncology are accelerating rapidly even as research funding faces increased constraints. By bringing ASTRO and its Foundation into closer alignment under a single, more visible identity, Speed of Light is designed to strengthen research collaborations and investments to ensure that promising discoveries move more quickly from concept to patient benefit.
“Radiation oncology is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and our research enterprise must evolve with it,” said ASTRO CEO Vivek S. Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO. “Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation will harness this momentum to drive progress across the field in the pursuit of tomorrow’s cures. This evolution ensures that we will remain at the forefront of discovery and patient care.”
“The strength of our field depends on continued investment in research and in the people who carry it forward,” said Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors. “Through its Foundation and other initiatives, ASTRO supports the investigators, clinicians and collaborations that will shape the future of radiation oncology.”
Together, ASTRO and ROI have advanced investigator-initiated, patient-centered research by stewarding more than 130 projects and investing over $12 million in science that has shaped the field and informed clinical practice. Speed of Light will accelerate the science that fuels innovation in radiation medicine — mobilizing resources, enabling new partnerships and ensuring the field remains a driving force in scientific progress to meet the evolving needs of patients and the profession.
“Every day, I see how research changes lives, from new techniques that sharpen precision to collaborations that shape how we deliver care,” said Gita Suneja, MD, MSHP, FASTRO, President of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “But progress in radiation oncology doesn’t happen by chance; it happens when we invest in it. Re-envisioning ASTRO’s Foundation gives us the clarity and alignment to focus our resources where they matter most.”
The new name reflects both the scientific foundation of radiation therapy and the urgency of its mission. Guided by the metaphor of light — precise, focused and transformative — Speed of Light underscores a commitment to advancing high-impact work that drives meaningful clinical progress in radiation medicine, including:
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Accelerating high-impact research in emerging areas with the potential to transform care such as functional radiation medicine, radiopharmaceutical therapy and artificial intelligence.
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Expanding trusted patient resources that improve understanding of radiation therapy and support patients and families throughout treatment.
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Strengthening the radiation oncology workforce by empowering early-career investigators and developing future leaders in the field.
The renamed Foundation launched publicly January 1, 2026. ASTRO invites researchers, partners and supporters across the oncology community to engage with and support the Foundation’s mission to accelerate progress in radiation oncology. For more information on funding and partnership opportunities, visit the Foundation's website.
ABOUT SPEED OF LIGHT
Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation accelerates bold and innovative ideas in radiation medicine to help ensure every person has access to the best treatments to live a longer, healthier life. Founded in 2006 by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) as the Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI), the Foundation relaunched in 2026 as Speed of Light, reflecting a clearer, more focused approach to advancing science and patient care. Powered by purpose and partnerships, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity accelerating high-impact science, expanding trusted patient resources and strengthening the radiation oncology workforce. Learn more at SpeedofLightFoundation.org.
ABOUT ASTRO
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the world’s largest professional society dedicated to advancing radiation oncology, with 10,000 members including physicians, nurses, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other professionals who work to improve patient outcomes through clinical care, research, education and policy advocacy. Radiation therapy is integral to 40% of cancer cures worldwide, and more than one million Americans receive radiation treatments for their cancer each year. For information on radiation therapy, visit RTAnswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit ASTRO.org and connect with us on social media.
Media Contacts: Liz Gardner, Jeff White, press@astro.org