Ping Lin, PhD in Computational Oncology, is one of Homerton’s enterprising 2024 Catalyst Fund winners, whose breakthrough AI technology aims to personalise cancer radiotherapy treatment plans for individual patients. SynPixels helps radiation oncologists track daily anatomical changes and re-optimise radiotherapy treatment plans to enhance dose precision. Since winning the £2,000 Fund, Ping Lin’s venture has gained substantial momentum and support from grant funders and industry.
In addition to winning the Homerton Changemakers Catalyst Fund, where he was mentored by Dr Jerry Wu, Managing Director at LongRiver Investments and Associate Fellow of Homerton College, Ping Lin was awarded the inaugural Rowland Orugboh Prize, an additional Changemakers award worth £1,000 and three month’s mentoring from Olu Orugboh, CEO of Synergy and Deputy Board Member of Cambridge Wireless. He won the Prize after impressing judges, as well as a full room of Cambridge's top innovators and investors, academic colleagues and Changemakers peers, at the 2024 Catalyst Fund winners’ showcase event.
Since then, Ping Lin has received additional grants and recognition, including the Cancer Research UK Cancer Tech Accelerator Grant and the UKRI MRC Confidence in Concept grant, both of which are supporting the continued development of APOLLO. He was also listed on Cofinitive’s #21toWatch, which recognises innovators making a significant impact in their field.
Ping Lin explains:
“APOLLO is a software platform designed to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice by seamlessly integrating deep learning models into oncology workflows. One of the key technologies APOLLO will support is SynPixels, which is our AI model for generating synthetic CT scans to enhance adaptive radiotherapy.
In essence, SynPixels is the technology that powers synthetic CT generation, while APOLLO is the platform that enables its safe and effective clinical deployment. APOLLO is designed to be adaptable, meaning it can support future AI innovations beyond SynPixels, helping to bring cutting-edge research into real-world clinical use.”
Ping Lin was kind enough to tell us a bit more about his Changemakers experience, so we asked him:
How did your Changemakers experience and winning the Catalyst Fund help you in your journey?
“The Changemakers experience was instrumental in my journey. Winning the Catalyst Fund provided early validation for my work, strengthening my applications for larger grants. The skills I developed—especially in articulating impact, engaging with stakeholders, and refining my long-term vision—were crucial in securing further support. Additionally, being part of the Changemakers community helped me build confidence and access a network of mentors and peers who have supported my progress.”
And what did winning the Rowland Orugboh Prize mean to you and what did it help you to do?
“Winning the Rowland Orugboh Prize was incredibly meaningful to me. Beyond the financial support, it was a strong affirmation that my work—bridging AI research and clinical oncology—has real-world impact and potential. While the Catalyst Fund provided the resources to kickstart APOLLO’s development, the Rowland Orugboh Prize allowed me to go further by exploring the long-term sustainability of the project. It enabled me to focus on critical aspects like intellectual property (IP) strategy, stakeholder engagement, and future scalability, ensuring that APOLLO can be successfully integrated into clinical practice.
Olu’s mentorship was invaluable, particularly in guiding me through IP strategy—helping me understand how to protect and commercialize AI-driven innovations in healthcare. She also introduced me to key networks that have been instrumental in shaping SynPixels’ trajectory, connecting me with experts in IP affairs, industry leaders, and potential collaborators. Her support has been crucial in positioning our work for real-world impact beyond the research lab.”
How has being involved with the Changemakers programme benefited you? Were there any aspects that you’ve found particularly useful?
“Being part of the Changemakers programme has been an incredibly enriching experience that has shaped both my personal and professional growth. One of the biggest benefits was the confidence it gave me in translating research into real-world impact. The programme encouraged me to think beyond academic success and focus on how my work could create meaningful change in healthcare.
I found the mentorship and networking opportunities particularly valuable. Engaging with experienced mentors and like-minded peers helped me refine my vision for APOLLO and gain insights into areas like stakeholder engagement, securing funding, and strategic planning. The process of applying for the Catalyst Fund also helped me develop crucial skills in communicating the impact of my work, which has been essential in securing further grants and funding.
Overall, the Changemakers programme provided me with a strong foundation to take my research beyond the lab and into the clinic, equipping me with the skills, mindset,and network needed to make a real difference in AI-driven oncology.”
So Ping, what are your next steps?
“My next steps involve continuing the development of the APOLLO prototype and working towards its clinical implementation. Right now, I’m refining the platform’s design and usability, ensuring it meets the needs of clinicians while maintaining regulatory compliance. Beyond synthetic CT generation with SynPixels, I aim to scale APOLLO to support additional AI-driven technologies in oncology, such as AI-powered treatment planning and personalised radiotherapy solutions.
Another key focus is patenting the synthetic CT technology to protect and commercialise the innovation. I’m exploring opportunities to collaborate with industry partners,including medical imaging and radiotherapy technology companies, to accelerate the adoption of AI in clinical workflows. These collaborations will be crucial in ensuring that APOLLO and SynPixels are not just research projects, but practical solutions that improve cancer treatment worldwide.”
What would you say to other aspiring entrepreneurs, who are just thinking about taking part in Changemakers or applying for the Catalyst Fund this year?
“I would say: Go for it! The Changemakers programme and the Catalyst Fund provide an incredible opportunity to turn your ideas into action. You don’t need to have everything figured out—what matters is having a vision and the drive to make a difference.
For me, winning the Catalyst Fund was a turning point. It gave me the confidence, resources, and support to extend my research into a real, tangible product. The experience taught me how to communicate my impact, engage with stakeholders, and navigate challenges—all essential skills for any scientist or entrepreneur.
Most importantly, you won’t be doing it alone. The Changemakers community is filled with inspiring mentors, peers, and experts who will help you refine your ideas, overcome obstacles, and push your project forward. If you’re passionate about solving a problem or creating positive change, this is your chance to make it happen!”
Ping Lin
Ping Lin is completing his PhD in Computational Oncology at the University of Cambridge, funded by the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. He is also a Turing Enrichment Award holder at The Alan Turing Institute UK, and a Young NUS Fellow at the National University of Singapore. Ping Lin’s research focuses on the application of physics and machine learning for precision radiotherapy and medical imaging, with the goal of translating them into clinical applications that benefit patients.
SynPixels helps radiation oncologists track daily anatomical changes and re-optimise radiotherapy treatment plans to enhance precision.
In conventional cancer radiotherapy, treatment plans are designed based on an initial computed tomography (CT) scan acquired after diagnosis, but they become less accurate as a patient’s anatomy changes over the course of treatment. Adaptive radiotherapy dynamically adjusts treatment strategies based on real-time changes in a patient’s anatomy. However, the biggest challenge is the lack of high-quality CT images during each fraction.
SynPixels aims to develop deep learning models designed to generate high-fidelity CT images conditioned using low-quality cone-beam CT scans. In practical terms, this product generates synthetic CT scans that reflect a patient’s daily anatomy. This allows for the daily evaluation of doses to the tumour and critical organs, ensuring precise delivery of radiation doses tailored to the patient.
Catalyst Fund - applications for 2025 are now open
Now in its fourth year, and just launched for 2025, the Changemaker Catalyst Fund Initiative is a springboard for student entrepreneurs whose impactful ventures have the potential to drive real change. Initiatives geared towards amplifying public good and societal impact can secure up to £2,000 which is complemented by hands-on mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and leaders through industry partner Cambridge Wireless and from Homerton’s own alumni community.
