World-renowned pathologist and researcher, Professor Anthony Gill AM, was awarded NSW’s highest accolade for cancer research at this morning’s NSW Premier’s Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research.
A global in the field of cancer diagnosis and pathology research, Professor Gill helped put Australia on the map in pancreatic research and is known for discovering new types of cancer tumours which are helping improve early diagnosis and survival rates for people with a range of rare hereditary cancers.
Minister for Health, Ryan Park, and Minister for Medical Research, David Harris, helped present the following 7 prestigious awards at today’s annual event, which celebrate the research achievements of individuals and teams working to improve cancer outcomes in NSW.
- Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year – awarded to Professor Anthony Gill, Professor of Surgical Pathology at the University of Sydney and senior staff specialist in Anatomical Pathology at Royal North Shore Hospital, for making a significant and long-lasting contribution to cancer research in NSW and beyond.
- Outstanding Mid-Career Researcher – awarded to Associate Professor Alexander Menzies, Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology at Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, and Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals, for demonstrating exceptional research progress and accomplishment in melanoma, immunotherapy and neoadjuvant therapy.
- Outstanding Early Career Researcher – awarded to Dr Anna Singleton, Senior Research Fellow, the University of Sydney, for demonstrating exceptional research progress and accomplishment in the development of digital health interventions to improve the health of cancer survivors.
- Rising Star PhD Candidate – awarded to Rebecca Simpson, PhD candidate, Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and the University of Sydney, for making significant progress and showing the potential to make an impact in melanoma research.
- Outstanding Cancer Clinical Trials Unit – awarded to Wollongong Hospital, for its cancer research unit’s performance and work in supporting local communities living with cancer, including a world-first clinical trial for adults with multiple myeloma.
- Improving Equitable Outcomes through Cancer Research – awarded to CanEngage Project Team, Macquarie University, for making an impact in improving cancer outcomes in communities that continue to have poorer cancer outcomes.
- Consumer Engagement in Cancer Research – awarded to Cancer Voices NSW, for making a significant and sustained contribution to cancer research in NSW, supporting people living with or impacted by cancer.
The Rising Star PhD Candidate, Consumer Engagement in Cancer Research and Improving Equitable Outcomes through Cancer Research are new awards in 2023. These recognise the invaluable contribution students and community members play in improving cancer outcomes.
Each winner received funding boosts as part of their prize, with Professor Gill receiving $50,000 to further his cancer research.
The NSW Government, through the Cancer Institute NSW, has awarded more than $324 million in cancer research over the last decade.
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Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
“NSW is a global leader in cancer research, and we’re committed to supporting the life-saving efforts of our state’s cancer researchers.
“On behalf of the people of NSW, I’d like to thank our incredible cancer researchers and congratulate today’s winners for helping better understand and treat this devastating disease.”
Minister for Health Ryan Park said:
“Cancer touches all of us, with 1 person in NSW diagnosed with cancer every 10 minutes.
“Helping more people survive cancer is impossible without the passion, dedication and commitment of people like Professor Gill and I’d like to thank every person working behind the scenes to reduce the impact of cancer.”
Minister for Medical Research, David Harris said:
“For people with cancer, research and clinical trials provide options and hope, where often there are none.
“Helping develop safer and more effective cancer treatments is a true team effort, with countless researchers, clinicians and consumers working together to make a difference to the lives of the thousands of people diagnosed with cancer in NSW each year.”
NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien said:
“NSW has some of the best cancer survival rates in the world and our excellence in cancer research is a key reason for these outstanding outcomes.
“Unfortunately cancer still takes the lives of more children and adults in NSW, than any other disease. Thanks to research and innovation, we know NSW will be on the forefront of discoveries that will save lives and keep families and communities safe and supported.”
