Supporting brilliant minds in the foundational stages of their careers is a crucial mechanism to drive innovation and progress in the fight against cancer - and yet, less than 20% of all health and medical research grants are awarded to early-career researchers.
By funding their work, Can Too Foundation ensures that the next generation of Aussie researchers have the resources they need to develop new treatments, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately find cures for various cancers.
Investing in early-career research is an investment in the future of cancer prevention, care, and management, offering hope and new possibilities for those affected by this disease. CanToo is committed to fostering Australia's most talented early career researchers, and since 2006, CanToo has funded over 150 researchers and continues to provide a stepping stone for new research every year.
Supporting researchers early in their careers not only enables them to pursue innovative and groundbreaking ideas, but it also helps them build the experience, track record, and leadership skills that are essential for long-term success. By investing in this critical phase, CanToo ensures that promising researchers have the resources and support they need to drive advancements in cancer research now, and well into the future as their careers develop.
Professor David Gallego-Ortega is just one researcher who credits the support he received from CanToo as being foundational for his career. Professor Gallego-Ortega was funded by CanToo in 2012, for his research which investigated anti-estrogen therapy resistance in breast cancer. Now, David is Head of School of Biomedical Engineering as well as leading a team of his own as Director of the Single Cell Technology Facility at the University of Technology, Sydney. In this role, David supports researchers and industry partners across Australia, offering expertise and access to single-cell technology, alongside leading his own research group who are currently looking into the development of an immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.
Reflecting on the impact of CanToo on his career, David said,“Early funding from Can Too was the cornerstone of my career. It ignited my creativity and empowered me to attract top government grants and forge international collaborations for ground-breaking research.
Investing in early career cancer researchers is about more than funding research, it’s about nurturing the next generation of innovators who will make significant contributions in cancer treatment and prevention.
For more information about the research Can Too Foundation supports, visit our Cancer Research page.
By funding their work, Can Too Foundation ensures that the next generation of Aussie researchers have the resources they need to develop new treatments, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately find cures for various cancers.
Investing in early-career research is an investment in the future of cancer prevention, care, and management, offering hope and new possibilities for those affected by this disease. CanToo is committed to fostering Australia's most talented early career researchers, and since 2006, CanToo has funded over 150 researchers and continues to provide a stepping stone for new research every year.
Why Early-Career Researchers?
Supporting researchers early in their careers not only enables them to pursue innovative and groundbreaking ideas, but it also helps them build the experience, track record, and leadership skills that are essential for long-term success. By investing in this critical phase, CanToo ensures that promising researchers have the resources and support they need to drive advancements in cancer research now, and well into the future as their careers develop.Professor David Gallego-Ortega is just one researcher who credits the support he received from CanToo as being foundational for his career. Professor Gallego-Ortega was funded by CanToo in 2012, for his research which investigated anti-estrogen therapy resistance in breast cancer. Now, David is Head of School of Biomedical Engineering as well as leading a team of his own as Director of the Single Cell Technology Facility at the University of Technology, Sydney. In this role, David supports researchers and industry partners across Australia, offering expertise and access to single-cell technology, alongside leading his own research group who are currently looking into the development of an immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.
Reflecting on the impact of CanToo on his career, David said,
“Early funding from Can Too was the cornerstone of my career. It ignited my creativity and empowered me to attract top government grants and forge international collaborations for ground-breaking research.
Today, I am proud to mentor young, talented investigators whose dedication strives to improve patient outcomes. Just like me, they need that jump start in their careers to spark their innovation.”
Investing in early career cancer researchers is about more than funding research, it’s about nurturing the next generation of innovators who will make significant contributions in cancer treatment and prevention.
“The work of Can Too and their critical support to young researchers not only boosts talent but gives hope, it creates a legacy that is transforming cancer outcomes for generations to come. This journey is more than just scientific breakthroughs; it’s about uniting everyone in the fight against a disease that touches us all.”
- Professor David Gallego-OrtegaFor more information about the research Can Too Foundation supports, visit our Cancer Research page.
