12 new research projects funded thanks to Cancer Council supporters

Cancer Council NSW is excited to announce over $5.2 million in funding for new cancer research projects.

This year’s funding announcement is particularly special. When the grant cycle commenced last year amid COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, most of our fundraising events had to be cancelled. Due to the loss in income, we were preparing to fund just six new research grants instead of the average of 12-17 awarded in recent years. This potential reduction in new research could have set back progress and delayed the development of vital new treatments.

Thanks to the support from the community, we are thrilled to be able to award funding to 12 world-class cancer research projects. Without our amazing community of fundraisers and donors, this would simply not have been possible.

These eminent and emerging cancer researchers from across Australia are leading the charge towards a cancer free future by investigating new ways to diagnose and treat the disease. You can find out more about these innovative projects below.

Funding is awarded through an independent process with projects assessed on their scientific merit and potential impact for the community.

• Switching off the spread of triple-negative breast cancer Dr Robert Weatheritt, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
• Using artificial intelligence to enhance radiotherapy effectiveness Dr Doan Trang Nguyen, University of Technology Sydney
• Finding new ways to treat liver cancer Prof Peter Leedman, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and University of Western Australia
• Finding new treatment targets for advanced melanoma Prof Gabrielle Belz, The University of Queensland
• Improving the health and well-being of women cancer survivors Dr Michelle Peate, University of Melbourne
• Reversing treatment resistance in melanoma Dr Jessamy Tiffen, Centenary Institute 
• Finding new treatments for aggressive childhood cancers Dr Belamy Cheung, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia
• Improving outcomes for infants with cancer Dr David Croucher, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
• Disabling pancreatic cancer defences Dr Jessica Chitty, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
• Targeting pancreatic cancer vulnerabilities Prof Paul Timpson, Garvan Institute of Medical Research