Shaping the future of oncology and transforming how we treat cancer

Born in Belgrade but moving to Vancouver when he was just a year old due to the conflict in the region, Stefan Milosevic’s academic journey started with computer science, which grew into a fascination with the intersection of medicine and artificial intelligence. This opened his eyes to the potential of AI in healthcare and set him firmly on the path toward precision oncology and his MPhil in Advanced Computer Science at Cambridge, enabled by the Chevening/Cambridge Scholarship.

Stefan tells us about his journey and vision for transforming how we treat cancer through care that is smarter, more human and more precise.

Tell us about your background and your life before coming to study at the University of Cambridge

Alongside my formal education, two people had an outsized influence on how I learned to think critically – my mother and my grandfather. They both nurtured my love for mathematics from a young age. I spent countless evenings sitting with them, poring over problem sets and exploring elegant solutions. Their tireless support and patience taught me discipline and the joy of problem-solving – skills that have stayed with me throughout my academic and professional life.

Before Cambridge, I also worked as a Software Engineer and Data Scientist. One of the most memorable experiences was my first internship at Microsoft, where I contributed to machine learning tools as part of the Office Suite team. Later, I had the opportunity to work on impactful research projects for the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, where I was immersed in clinical research and inspired by the brilliant oncologists I shadowed. That experience deeply influenced my drive to apply AI in the medical field - something I now pursue across both academia and industry.

Outside of academia, I’ve always been an athlete. I played competitive tennis for over 15 years, including national junior tournaments and regional and provincial championships with my high school in Canada. When I returned to Serbia, I continued playing with my hometown club, TK Partizan, staying connected to a sport that’s been a core part of my identity. I also swam competitively at the provincial and national levels, representing my schools and clubs in meets across Canada.

Music has also played a significant role in my life. I come from a musical family and grew up dreaming of following in my father’s footsteps as a professional clarinettist. Some of my most cherished memories are of our late-night practice sessions; learning both technique and the fine mechanics of maintaining the instrument. Those moments taught me patience, attention to detail and a quiet determination – qualities I’ve drawn upon time and again, whether in research, sport, or life.

How has your time at Cambridge changed your life? What has it enabled you to do on a personal level, professionally or as part of your community?

In addition to being a Cambridge Trust Scholar, I was also honoured to receive the Chevening Scholarship for 2023-24. Without the support of both the Cambridge Trust and the Chevening community, I would not have had the opportunity to join Churchill College and study at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.

During my MPhil, I developed scMultiGraph, a machine learning framework that models gene-gene interactions and, in applied settings, enables more accurate identification of cancer-driving mechanisms – ultimately improving diagnosis and informing treatment strategies. This work opens new directions in the field of precision oncology.

I had the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and across both medicine and computer science. These experiences didn’t just sharpen my technical expertise - they helped solidify my long-term vision of using AI to meaningfully transform human health.

On a personal level, Cambridge gave me a deeper sense of confidence, belonging, and perspective. It taught me that ambition is most powerful when grounded in community. I built lasting friendships with peers from around the world, shared ideas across cultures and disciplines, and was inspired by conversations with thought leaders at the forefront of my field. These moments shifted my outlook and reinforced my belief in science as a collaborative, human endeavour.

Perhaps most importantly, Cambridge helped me realize that I didn’t just want to study AI – I wanted to shape how it’s applied, who it serves, and what values it embodies. The experience gave me not only the tools, but also the conviction to lead, build, and contribute to a future where technology serves people with precision, empathy, and purpose.

What would you like to pursue next on your professional journey? What are your goals and dreams?

After returning from Cambridge, I joined the BIO4 Campus team, Serbia’s new national life science hub, where I now lead efforts in bioinformatics and AI. It’s a place that brings together researchers, clinicians and innovators, and I’ve had the privilege of helping shape how AI is being introduced into medical research across many different institutions. I work closely with teams focused on areas ranging from rare diseases to oncology, helping them translate complex data into insight and guiding them on how machine learning can amplify their work and impact.

Likewise, after Cambridge I started my PhD in Oncology & AI at the University of Belgrade, where I am building digital twin technologies that simulate disease at the cellular level, predict treatment outcomes and offer a deeper understanding of how cancer evolves in each individual.

In the long run, I want to take this work beyond academia and lead the development of a new kind of platform - one that blends robust science, intelligent technology, and user-centred design. I see this as more than a technical challenge; it is a leadership challenge. It’s about bringing the right people together, aligning vision across disciplines and making something that has real-world impact.

What advice would you give to anyone considering applying to Cambridge with support from the Cambridge Trust?

Be bold. If you have a vision that aims to serve others, Cambridge is the place to shape and elevate it. The Cambridge Trust doesn’t just fund your education; it gives you the freedom to take intellectual risks and pursue meaningful work without compromise.

Apply with honesty, show why your work matters and in the words of Walt Disney: dare to dream.

Once you are there, immerse yourself fully. The experience will challenge you, inspire you and expand your sense of what is possible not just academically, but as a person.

About the Chevening/Cambridge Scholarship

This scholarship is available to Masters applicants from countries in which Chevening Scholarships are awarded. It is tenable at any College.

Visit the Chevening/Cambridge Scholarship page to find out more and apply.