On Tuesday 2 December, Children’s Cancer Institute held its annual Research Symposium, the first in their new home, the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
It was a wonderful day of science and collaboration, sharing ideas and insights into childhood cancer and how we can get closer to achieving our vision of curing every child and improving their long-term health.
The Institute’s new Executive Director, Professor Lou Chesler addressed the attendees to begin proceedings, while the day featured two exceptional plenary speakers, Dr Neevika Manoharan and Dr Rebecca Poulos.
A number of students and early/mid-career researchers were given the opportunity to present their work, while Family Relationships Manager, Faye Hollands, generously shared her lived experience and educated on how best to engage with childhood cancer families.
Finally, an exciting debate took place, facilitated by Associate Professor Paul Ekert, where basic scientists (Dr Rebecca Poulos and Dr Patrick Connerty) took on clinicians (Dr Neevika Manoharan and Dr Richard Mitchell) to discuss whether basic science or clinical trials are going to lead us to better outcomes to children with cancer.
There were a number of award winners on the day. Congratulations to the following researchers!
Image competition – internal vote
1st Dr Holly Holiday
2nd Dr Alice Salib
Image competition – public vote
1st Dr Hansen Kosasih
2nd Dr Holly Holiday
Long talks
Students
Winner: Grace Lee ($2000 travel grant)
Runner ups: Erin Coll and Jahidul Hasan (Jahidul not pictured)
Early/mid career researchers (EMCRs)Winner: Dona Johns ($2000 travel grant, sponsored by Josephine O'Reilly)
Runner ups: Anne-Lise Gerard and Jayne Murray
Short talks
Winner: Holly Holliday
Runner up: Luke Fuller
Rapid fires
Winner: Crystal Mak
Runner up: James Bradley
Posters
Students
Winner: Larissa Volken
Runner ups: Anthony Zhou
People’s choice: Sahar Mafi
EMCRs
Winner: Varshini Venkata
Runner ups: Alice Salib
People’s choice: Anna Cai
The event was made possible by a number of partners, including:
Major Partners
Corning, Merck, AGRF, CryoPDP, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Miltenyi Biotec.
Supporting partners
Mettler Toledo, Pathtech, Sartorius, Pacific Laboratory Products, MedChem Express, Evident, BMG Labtech and Tecan.
