2026 Binaytara Volunteer of the Year Spotlight

Dr. Bipul Luitel, CTO of Binaytara and co-founder of Growthzilla Inc., has been named a 2026 Binaytara Volunteer of the Year for his transformative leadership in AI and technology innovation. From relaunching the OncoBlast CME app to developing the AI Research Assistant (AIRA) for the International Journal of Cancer Care and Delivery, Dr. Luitel’s work is reshaping how cancer education and research are delivered globally—advancing Binaytara’s mission to improve access to high-quality cancer care, especially in underserved communities.

Dr. Bipul Luitel is one of the 2026 recipients of the Binaytara Volunteer of the Year Award. This award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to Binaytara's mission through their volunteerism, actively contributing to its efforts to improve access to cancer care and make a meaningful impact in the community. He is among the honorees of the Binaytara Annual Gala Celebration held at the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities (SCHD) event in Bellevue, Washington.

Meet Dr. Bipul Luitel

CTO, Binaytara; Co-founder and CTO, Growthzilla Inc.

For over 15 years, Dr. Bipul Luitel has been the quiet force behind Binaytara's technological evolution, serving as Director of Technology and Fractional CTO in a role that exemplifies the power of dedicated volunteerism. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology and is actively engaged in entrepreneurial ventures, including Growthzilla Inc. and Proma.ai.

His recent accomplishments at Binaytara include leading the relaunch of the OncoBlast app, implementing the innovative AI Research Assistant (AIRA) for the International Journal of Cancer Care and Delivery, and developing tools that have fundamentally transformed how Binaytara delivers health and education programs. AIRA, in particular, represents a quantum leap forward, using advanced AI to enhance search, summarization, and accessibility of cancer care research for clinicians and researchers worldwide.

From Family Connection to Cancer Health Equity Leadership

For Dr. Luitel, receiving the Binaytara Volunteer of the Year Award carries deep personal significance. Being related to the founders, Tara and Binay Shah, his involvement has always felt like a natural extension of family, supporting people he loves in work that genuinely matters. "To be honored in this way reminds me that what started as helping family has grown into something much larger: a shared mission with an incredible team of people committed to cancer health equity," he reflects. The award represents validation that he has been able to deliver, at least in parts, what he intended when joining the organization years ago.

Dr. Luitel's connection to Binaytara began through family, but his deeper motivation traces back further. When he was young, his grandfather passed away from liver cancer. While that memory alone did not set him on this path, it planted something essential. What truly drives him is a belief that technology should solve real-world problems, and healthcare is an industry that desperately needs deeper, more thoughtful technology integration.

When Binaytara needed someone to provide tech guidance, starting with their first website nearly a decade ago, he saw an opportunity to use his skills to empower an organization doing meaningful work. The cause and the personal connection came together naturally.

Transforming Binaytara's Technology Infrastructure for Accessible Scholarship

Staying involved feels natural at this point for Dr. Luitel. He remains closely connected to the people at the heart of Binaytara's leadership, making him part of the ongoing conversation. When needs arise, he is there. But beyond that, what keeps him energized is seeing the tangible impact of the work.

Under his leadership, Binaytara has built an in-house engineering team that has removed the burden of third-party providers, long development cycles, and management overhead, allowing the organization to operate more efficiently while cutting costs. The team has developed tools like Oncoblast, a CME app for medical professionals, and is now working on AI-driven platforms for education and publication. “Being the bridge between the people doing the hard work in the field and the technology that makes their jobs easier,” that is what keeps him going, he shared.

Advancing Cancer Care Access in Underserved Communities Through AI Innovation

When asked about the change he most wants to see in cancer care for underserved communities, Dr. Luitel focuses on what he calls the "I" in care delivery. "We can have the best treatments, the most knowledgeable providers, and the strongest intentions, but if we can't reach patients in underserved communities effectively, we fall short," he explains.

Technology, especially modern AI, offers a real opportunity to address this gap through on-demand cancer education, clear pre- and post-visit care instructions, and meaningful follow-ups, all delivered in ways that bridge language barriers and varying levels of educational proficiency. His goal is to help bring that technology to Binaytara and, through them, to the communities they serve. If care can be made more accessible and understandable, a meaningful part of the equity problem gets solved.

How Technology Professionals Can Support Global Oncology Organizations Like Binaytara

To someone considering volunteering in this space, Dr. Luitel offers candid advice: “Be ready to learn a new language, and not a programming language.”

Working across disciplines, whether it is healthcare, nonprofit operations, fundraising, or service delivery, requires patience and humility. Dr. Luitel explains, “What engineers take for granted is not obvious to a medical professional or a marketing team. Even simple words like 'development' mean completely different things depending on who you are talking to. Navigating carefully, staying open to feedback, and knowing when to push back thoughtfully are essential skills.”

The reward, as Dr. Luitel sees it: "You get to work on problems that actually matter, alongside people who are genuinely trying to make the world better." For him, leading the engineering team through this complex landscape, keeping them motivated and ready to push boundaries, is a challenge worth taking every single day.