OzMRS Committee
Meet the OzMRS committee
Professor Delphine Merino
President
As a laboratory head of the ‘Tumour Progression and Heterogeneity’ laboratory at ONJCRI, my research program focuses on studying the biological features of the breast cancer cells that are most likely to form lethal metastases in specific tumour microenvironments. As the President of the OzMRS, I hope to strengthen the network of scientists, patient advocates, and clinicians dedicated to accelerating metastasis research in Australasia to improve patient outcomes.
Associate Professor Phillip Gregory
Secretary, Consumer Liaison
A/Prof Philip Gregory’s research aims to understand how breast and prostate cancer cells gain aggressive features that causes them to resist treatments and spread more rapidly through the body. With this information, his lab hope to uncover better treatments to help patients with aggressive forms of these cancers.
Professor Thomas Cox
Executive Board Member of International Metastasis Research Society (MRS)
Professor Thomas Cox is a cancer cell biologist specialising in extracellular matrix and matrix remodelling in solid tumours. His research combines matrix biology with precision oncology, focusing on understanding and targeting the matrix in cancer. His lab develops new matrix-targeted approaches and evaluates their effectiveness in pre-clinical cancer models (breast, pancreatic, lung, bowel) to personalise anti-cancer treatments.
Professor Frederic Hollande
Consumer Liaison Chair
Expertise in the analysis of tumour heterogeneity and mechanisms of treatment resistance in colorectal and pancreatic cancer, using a combination of phenotypic/functional assays and multi-omics on ex vivo patient-derived and preclinical mouse models. As an OzMRS committee member I wish to promote collaboration within the metastasis research network
Associate Professor Kevin Spring
Member
Professor Belinda Parker
Translational Research Engagement Co-Manager
Prof. Belinda Parker is co-Head of the Cancer Evolution and Metastasis program and Head of the Cancer Metastasis and Precision Immunotherapy laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She is currently an NHMRC Investigator Fellow. After postdoctoral training in the Department of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University, USA in 2002 and at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Dr Parker moved to La Trobe University as a group leader in 2013 where she was Leader of the Cancer Theme until her return to Peter Mac in 2019. Prof. Parker has extensive expertise in cancer biology, combination immunotherapy trials, preclinical metastasis models, bone metastasis, and biomarker discovery. Her patented biomarkers are currently being tested in partnership with a range of pharmaceutical companies for precision radiotherapy and immunotherapy approaches and her work on type I interferons in cancer immunogenicity has informed the design of neoadjuvant clinical trials using IFN inducers in breast and prostate cancer.
Dr Aadya Nagpal
Treasurer, Consumer Liaison
My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying cancer metastasis to specific organs and identifying the key factors that influence responses to anti-cancer therapies. As an active member of the OzMRS committee, I want to contribute towards providing support and opportunities for other researchers whose work seeks to advance the prevention and treatment of metastasis. I hope to contribute to organising metastasis-centric scientific events that foster collaboration between laboratory and clinical researchers in this field and promote engagement with consumers and advocacy groups to raise awareness about the importance of metastasis research.
Dr Ann-Katrin Piper
Member
As a member of the OzMRS conference organizing committee, I aim to connect researchers and facilitate collaboration and the sharing of research findings. Through collaboration I hope advancements in our understanding of cancer can be accelerated and contribute to the collective effort to combat this disease.
Moganalaxmi (Mogana) Reckdharajkumar
Member, Consumer Liaison
My research focuses on understanding how breast cancer cells that have spread to the lungs and the brain interact with and reprogram cells in their tumour microenvironment (TME), promoting cancer growth. I am particularly interested in a cell type called fibroblasts, which are the cells that produce one of the matrix components, collagen, that maintains our skin’s elasticity. These fibroblasts, under the influence of cancer cells, can produce excessive collagen/matrix components, this creates a mesh trapping the cancer cells and hinders the clearance of cancer cells by immune cells. My research aims to understand the process of what and how these fibroblasts are reprogrammed which will be key to developing new therapies
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Dr Sharissa Latham
Digital Content Co-Manager
My research investigates metastasis-targeting therapies in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), focused on: 1) understanding the biology that underpins metastatic relapse, and 2) identifying treatment strategies that can inhibit the growth of disseminated tumour cells and established metastases. Whilst my team remain heavily focused on TNBC, our research has also expanded to High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancers and rare Appendiceal Cancers, two highly aggressive malignancies where poor patient outcomes are underpinned by metastatic relapse and limited treatment options.
Dr Diana Schuhmacher
Digital Content Co-Manager
My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms driving metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and use of novel small molecule inhibitors and anti-fibrotic treatments to inhibit this metastasis. I am passionate about the communication of science, especially to the wider community and consumers. I hope that during my time as an OzMRS committee member, I can communicate the best of Australasia’s metastasis research in a way that is accessible to all.
Dr Vaibhavi Joshi
Digital Content Co-Manager
My research investigates clinically relevant biomarkers in metastatic breast cancer, with a focus on brain metastases—an incurable and life-altering stage of the disease. I use matched primary and brain metastatic tumours to identify markers that can predict risk or serve as therapeutic targets. Additionally, I am studying the genomic landscape of breast cancer in young women, a group often affected by aggressive disease but underrepresented in screening and research. Ultimately, my work aims to improve early detection and guide the development of personalised therapies for patients with high-risk and metastatic disease.
Past Committee Members
Professor Rik Thompson
Founding Member
I am keen to see the organisation of metastasis researchers and clinicians across Australia, and promote the integration with the International MRS and other National metastasis societies. Through better communication, cooperation and collaboration we can achieve more than we would if working alone. I am also committed to the recruitment and training of new people in this field
Professor Robin Anderson
Founding Member
My research focused on the development and use of syngeneic mouse models of spontaneous metastatic breast cancer for development of therapies to control advanced disease.
Through OzMRS I hope to build a strong and collaborative community of Australian and New Zealand researchers interested in metastasis research.
Associate Professor Marina Pagic
Vice-President, Translational Research Engagement Co-Manager
I am highly passionate about understanding the mechanisms behind metastasis and clinical treatment failure, and will bring this passion to the OzMRS committee to help continue to broaden:
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Membership engagement via existing roles in other fora (community roles and translational)
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Research collaboration, encouraging cross-disciplinary research initiatives that explore new angles in metastasis research.
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Mentorship and education, helping nurture the next generation of researchers, scientists to ensure the continuity and growth of the field, including continuing to identify new areas for the increased involvement of early-career researchers in OzMRS activities.
Dr Amy Wilson
Digital Content Co-Manager
My research focuses on investigating the role of the deadliest population of ovarian cancer cells: leader cells, and finding ways to inhibit them, thereby eliminating ovarian cancer metastasis, recurrence and chemo-resistance.
During my time on the OzMRS committee, I aim to learn and to spread the word about the fabulous metastasis research being conducted throughout Australia.
Dr Hannah Neuendorf
Digital Content Co-Manager
My research focuses on the discovery of novel mechanisms driving melanoma cell survival during metastasis.
As an OzMRS committee member, I hope to advocate for the involvement of students, and contribute to the growth and sharing of metastasis research in Australia.
Dr Normand Pouliot
Past President
My goal as president is to make OzMRS a key organisation in the Australasian region that connects bench scientists and clinical researchers with an interest in metastasis. I see the OzMRS as a central resource to inform researchers on new developments and opportunities in the field of metastasis and to encourage collaboration through skill and resource sharing.
Dr Carmela Ricciardelli
Past Treasurer
I endeavour to promote OzMRS, foster on going collaborations and develop new collaborations
Professor Elizabeth Williams
Past Member
As an OzMRS committee member I hope to facilitate engagement and collaboration of Australasian metastasis researchers nationally and internationally. Raise the profile of Australasian metastasis researchers.
Dr Adrian Wiegmans
Past Member
As an OzMRS committee member I hope to Act as a link between the ECLC of MRS and ozMRS and help early career OzMRS engage with MRS.
Dr Maree Bilandzic
Past Member
I hope to provide a forum to showcase the fantastic work being conducted by Australian metastasis researchers and an opportunity for researchers to get together and communicate.
Associate Professor Erica Sloan
Past Member
My research focuses on Understanding and targeting neural regulation of cancer to stop metastasis and improve treatment response.
As an OzMRS committee member, I aim to promote and contribute to the metastasis research community.
Senior Professor Marie Ranson
Past Member
I have a long-standing interests in molecular biomarkers of metastasis with particular expertise in the urokinase plasminogen activation system field. As an OzMRS committee member I hope to help increase awareness of and appreciation of the importance of metastasis research in Australia to a broader audience
Dr Kelly Avery-Kiejda
Past Member
I am an experienced cell and molecular biologist, and current convenor of the Newcastle ASMR Committee. A major obstacle for basic science researchers is identifying the pathway to translate our findings to the clinic. In light of the current funding schemes, we need strategies to ensure our basic researchers can thrive. The only way to achieve this is to work together with like-minded metastasis researchers and clinicians. On the OzMRS committee, I look forward to advocating the important research on metastases our Australasian colleagues are doing, as well as organising and promoting events that enhance the interactions and collaborations between these researchers.
Dr Jacinta Simmons
Past Member
As a member of the OzMRS committee I hope to spread the word about the world class metastasis research being done in Australia.
Charlotte Roelofs
Past Member
We aim to investigate the role of Myc in Triple Negative Breast Cancer dormancy. I want to contribute to bridging the gap between scientists and the general public through clear communication.