Our purpose

- Provide a strong voice for postdoctoral researchers at CCIA
- Catalyse interactions between postdocs and other researchers within the Institute and the general research community through seminars and social events
- Create opportunities for postdocs to assist their career development
- Foster a culture of debate, open communication, information access and career support
- Promote the work of CCIA and connect with those we are striving to help through outreach programs with young cancer patients and high school students

CPA activities 

Public outreach: Kicking Cancer’s Arse is a presentation developed in collaboration with CanTeen to provide young people with more of an understanding of cancer and the research we do at CCIA. It was initially presented to a group of Sydney CanTeen members at their Healthy Living Camp in 2008 and the team receive regular invitations to present each year.

Kicking Cancer’s Arse has been successfully adapted and taken "on the road" to the Queensland Institute for Medical Research’s High Schools Open Day and ASMR High Schools Careers Day. These events resulted in very encouraging feedback and the postdocs involved found it tremendously rewarding.

“Your presentation was so important, as well as groundbreaking, for all the divisions in CanTeen. Information is what they thirst for, and sometimes the info they receive is misinformed and badly explained... Once again, the puffed-up chests and absence of the hang-dog expressions was a result of the strength and pertinence of the presentation and information presented.”

Micheál Lovett, Programs Officer, CanTeen NSW

“But they got thunderous applause! Their enthusiasm for medical research and wish to 'make a difference' in children's lives was evident to all. It even motivated our speakers from QIMR.”

Simone Cross, Education Co-ordinator, QIMR

Journal Club: A monthly event held on Friday afternoons over drinks and snacks is open to all researchers at CCIA and the Lowy Cancer Research Centre. It aims to provide a forum for the development of critical analysis skills and is also sometimes used as a techniques trouble-shooting session.

Social and networking activities: The CPA organises social events throughout the year to provide opportunities for postdocs from CCIA and researchers based at UNSW to network with their local peers.

Membership

All postdocs at CCIA are automatically members of CPA. Events and governance of the CPA are overseen by the CPA committee. The CPA strives to represent all postdocs at CCIA and all postdocs at CCIA are encouraged to join the committee and attend our quarterly meetings.

Committee contacts

Co-Chairs: Drs Dean Yee and Owen Sprod
Research Operations Meeting Postdoc Representative: Dr Santi Suryani
Secretary: Dr Amanda Tivnan
Journal Club Co-ordinator: Dr Eddy Pasquier
CCIA Representative, UNSW Postdoc Committee: Dr Joshua McCarroll