SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENTISTS

University of Queensland
NBCF Early Career Fellowship

Dr Simpson is interested in identifying genes that are altered in a specific type of breast cancer, called invasive lobular breast cancer. While invasive lobular breast cancer is relatively common, clinicians do not currently understand why some patients may do well and respond readily to treatment, while others have a poor prognosis. Dr Simpson’s research is aimed at looking how changes in patterns of specific genes in invasive lobular breast cancer may provide clues as to how the tumour will progress and what will be the outcome for the patient.

Cancer Australia Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (co-funded by NBCF and Cancer Council Australia)
University of New South Wales
Sydney, New South Wales

Associate Professor Bettina Meiser is investigating the psychosocial impact of genetic counselling and testing for hereditary cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer. She is particularly interested in the psychological impact of a breast cancer diagnosis in young women with a family history of the disease.

NBCF Novel Concept Award
University of Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales

Professor Patrick Brennan is an NBCF-funded researcher, a professor of medical imaging, an Associate Dean at the University of Sydney and co-director of BREAST, an Australian national initiative to enhance cancer detection in breast imaging. Professor Brennan is exploring exciting novel technologies and techniques aimed at improving the detection of breast cancer.

NBCF Career Fellow
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Melbourne, Victoria

Following early training in plant biology, NBCF Career Fellow Associate Professor Robin Anderson changed her focus to breast cancer research – particularly the area of secondary spread (metastasis). She currently heads a laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

NBCF Early Career Fellow
Centre for Cancer Biology
Adelaide, South Australia

Dr Philip Gregory is a recipient of an NBCF Early Career Fellowship and is researching the new and exciting area of ‘microRNAs’.

NBCF Career Fellow
University of Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales

Professor Sharon Kilbreath is an NBCF Career Fellow looking at the prevention and recovery from long term issues that relate to breast cancer treatment, particularly lymphoedema, the swelling of the arm after breast cancer surgery.

NBCF Postdoctoral Training Fellowship
Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science
Adelaide, South Australia

Dr Cameron Bracken is looking at small molecules, known as microRNAs, which control the activity of genes. Dr Bracken’s studies have focused on a particular microRNA, known as miR-200, which has been found to switch off in aggressive cancer cells that spread (metastasise).

On a recent visit to Australia, leading UK researcher Professor Adrian Harris told NBCF what drives him to work in breast cancer research, the key areas of progress in breast cancer, and the challenges that remain.