Dr. Roupen Odabashian is a hematology and medical oncology physician at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, one of the United States’ 50 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers and a national leader in early-phase drug development and innovative cancer therapeutics. He is board-certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC).
Dr. Odabashian’s clinical training spans Canada and the United States. He completed a rigorous Internal Medicine residency at the University of Ottawa, followed by Hematology-Oncology fellowship training at Karmanos, where he manages a broad spectrum of hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and complex oncologic conditions. His clinical interests include early-phase clinical trials, multidisciplinary cancer care, and modern approaches to precision oncology.
Beyond clinical medicine, Dr. Odabashian is deeply engaged in health technology, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation in oncology. He is a Fellow at HaloHealth, a consortium of Canadian physicians and angel investors supporting early-stage healthtech ventures, and serves as Due Diligence Lead with HealthTech Investors, where he evaluates emerging medtech and AI-driven healthcare startups. His work provides strategic insights into product development, regulatory barriers, clinical integration, and the investment landscape for digital health innovation.
Dr. Odabashian is also the creator and host of two influential podcasts at the intersection of oncology, innovation, and global health:
- OncoDaily Podcast (OncoDaily), where he interviews global oncology leaders to explore diverse international practices and extract leadership lessons for early-career oncologists.
- Delta: HealthTech Innovators, a platform dedicated to conversations with founders, engineers, policymakers, and researchers who are actively shaping the future of healthcare. These discussions bridge clinical medicine with technological and policy-driven transformation, highlighting the collaborative ecosystem needed to drive real-world change.
His early clinical work includes service as a Physician Assistant at the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation in Beirut, a UN-affiliated center providing essential care for Syrian refugees and underserved Lebanese communities. This frontline experience, combined with his training in Syria, Canada, and the United States, shaped his commitment to addressing global health disparities and understanding how social determinants of health influence patient outcomes.
Dr. Odabashian’s educational background includes an MD from Aleppo University, an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Ottawa, and Hematology–Oncology fellowship training at Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute. Through his work in clinical oncology, technology evaluation, and interdisciplinary dialogue, he continues to champion innovation that meaningfully improves cancer care delivery.
He frequently engages with founders, clinicians, and researchers across North America, leveraging his dual expertise in oncology and AI to advocate for responsible, impactful integration of technology into healthcare.
He is a Member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily.