The Victorian Government has announced a new four-year cancer research fellowship program, with Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas, naming the inaugural cohort of recipients as part of the new $41.2 million Cancer Research Fellowships Victoria (CFRV).
The CFRV is being delivered in collaboration with Cancer Council Victoria to strengthen Victoria’s cancer research landscape and accelerate the development of innovative treatments, diagnostic tools and therapies.
The Fellowships will also support Victorian-based researchers to access philanthropic funding and increase the competitiveness of fellows to secure national funding.
“Victorian researchers are global leaders in fighting cancer – that’s why we are continuing to invest in the people and projects that drive better public cancer care and work towards our ultimate goal of a cancer-free state,” said Minister Thomas.
“These fellowships are about backing the next generation of researchers, giving them the support they need to take the next step in their careers and deliver the breakthroughs that matter to Victorians and people around the world.”
The investment over four years will see fellowships awarded to up to 24 early career cancer researchers (six per year) and 40 mid-career postdoctoral researchers (10 per year) – with funding of up to $450,000 over three years, and up to $700,000 over four years, respectively.
This year’s 18 inaugural fellowships include support for eight early-career and 10 mid-career researchers working on new discoveries.
Among these recipients is Dr Bonnita Werner (pictured) from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and University of Melbourne who has been awarded a $450,000 three-year early-career fellowship to support her research into new immunotherapy approaches for ovarian cancer.
Her project will make major contributions to the world’s first study of antibodies produced by long term survivors of any cancer type, potentially leading to the development of new and improved immunotherapies for people living with high-grade serous carcinoma.
Other recipients include Dr Raymond Yip from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute who has received a four-year mid-career fellowship to advance research aimed at improving how multiple myeloma is detected, monitored and treated.
While Dr Andrew Guirguis, a mid-career fellowship recipient from the Olivia Newton‑John Cancer Research Institute, is working to stop early “pre‑leukaemia” blood disorders from progressing into aggressive leukaemia.
