Supporting early-career cancer researchers is crucial for driving 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, we ensure 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.
We Invest In Fighting Cancer
Can Too Foundation believes in funding research across all cancer types, including rare cancers. We support early-career cancer research grants and major cancer research projects for one year at a time, with a commitment to continue providing support in future years for multi-year grants and projects.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
Our Cancer Researchers
In 2024 we're investing in 9 of the brightest and best cancer researchers from across Australia.
Dr Oliver Schumacher
Using exercise to improve radiotherapy effectiveness for prostate cancer.
Edith Cowan UniversityA lack of oxygen is common in many tumours and can reduce the effectiveness of radiotherapy as a treatment for cancer. In recognising the link between oxygen and radiotherapy effectiveness, strategies that aim to increase the amount of oxygen in the tumour microenvironment may enhance treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Animal studies have shown that exercise can modify blood flow to a tumour, increase oxygen levels in the tumour, and enhance the effect of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It is, however, currently unknown if this effect also occurs in humans.
The purpose of Dr. Schumacher’s research is to investigate if physical exercise can make prostate cancer cells more sensitive to radiotherapy by improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tumour and increase the treatment’s effectiveness and patient outcomes.This research has the potential to highlight exercise not only as a therapy to improve physical and mental well-being in people with cancer but also as a novel approach to increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment itself.
Dr Schumacher’s project - Exercise as a novel therapeutic approach for sensitising prostate cancer to radiotherapy - is funded by the Can Too Foundation in partnership with Cancer Australia through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (ID: 2023/PCRS/0140).
Dr Arutha Kulasinghe
Predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in lung cancer.
Frazer Institute, University of QueenslandImmunotherapy has shown promising results in treating lung cancer, leading to longer survival for many patients. However, there is a need for predictive markers to identify which patients may benefit most from these treatments.
Dr Kulasinghe’s research project aims to use cutting-edge spatial genomics and advanced imaging approaches to study and characterise the tumour microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancers. By understanding this environment better, doctors can ensure that patients who are likely to respond well to immunotherapy receive optimal care, while minimising the exposure to toxic agents and unnecessary side effects for those who are less likely to benefit from the treatment. For more information on Dr Kulasinghe’s project click here.
Dr Kulasinghe’s LUNG PREDICT Study is funded by Can Too Foundation, in partnership with Cancer Australia, through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (Grant ID: 2012084).
Prof David Gallego Ortega
Developing an immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer.
University of Technology SydneyTriple negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that doesn’t have any of the three receptors commonly found on breast cancer cells. This type of cancer is aggressive and fast-growing, and new and effective therapies are urgently needed.
Prof Gallego Ortega’s project aims to develop biomarkers for specific cells, known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) which reduce the body’s normal immune response to breast cancer, to detect the early spread of triple-negative breast cancer cells to other parts of the body. The project also aims to refine a treatment prototype that specifically targets MDSCs, which could pave the way for a new generation of immune therapies for triple-negative breast cancer.
Prof Gallego Ortega’s research project is funded by the Can Too Foundation in partnership with Cancer Council NSW through the Cancer Council NSW Project Grant Scheme (Grant ID: RG-23-09 [2023-2025]).
Dr Joshua Tobin
The role of lipids in immune response to follicular lymphoma.
Mater Research Institute, University of QueenslandWhile many patients with follicular lymphoma are responsive to chemotherapy, some develop resistance to treatment due to an inability of their immune system to fully eliminate the cancer cells. The reasons behind this weak anti-tumour immune response are currently unclear, however one avenue of research is the altered metabolism of fuel sources, such as sugars and fats, which are common features of cancer.
Dr Tobin’s project will explore how the by-products of this altered metabolism weaken the immune response and contribute to early treatment failure in people with follicular lymphoma. Dr Tobin says “the knowledge gained from this project will help guide treatment decisions and clinical care, with the identification of biomarkers that can be used to predict patients at high risk of progressive disease. The findings will also provide insights into how the immune response can be improved, through existing or new therapies, to increase survival for people with follicular lymphoma."
For more information on Dr Tobin's project, click here.
Dr Tobin’s project - The role of lipids in the immune fitness of malignant B cells, intratumoral T cells, and CAR-T cells in follicular lymphoma - is funded by the Can Too Foundation in partnership with Cancer Australia through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (Grant ID: 2021304).
Dr Zeyad Nassar
Targeting fatty acid oxidation, a novel approach for prostate cancer treatment.
University of AdelaideCancer cells are characterised by their uncontrolled growth, the ability to spread to and invade other tissues, and their resistance to treatment. These capabilities of the cancer cell, require the production of additional energy, which in prostate cancer, relies mainly on lipids (fats) to support these increasing demands on energy.
Dr Nassar’s research aims to explore a new treatment strategy by targeting the enzymes that prostate cancer cells use to break down fats to energy. By inhibiting these enzymes, we may be able to slow down tumour growth and prevent the cancer from spreading and improve patient outcomes.
Dr Nassar is funded by Can Too Foundation, in partnership with Cancer Australia, through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (Grant ID: 2011672).
A/Prof Belamy Cheung
Finding new treatments for aggressive childhood cancers.
Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South WalesHigh-risk neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma are among the most challenging childhood cancers to treat, with treatments often affecting children's quality of life both short- and long-term.
In previous research, A/Prof Cheung has discovered that high levels of a protein called MYCN are present in aggressive childhood cancers. She has also identified a gene, USP5, that supports MYCN and helps the cancer grow. This project aims to determine if blocking the activity of MYCN and USP5 can be an effective treatment for these cancers. A/Prof Cheung will develop molecular compounds that target MYCN and USP5 and test their effectiveness against cancer in pre-clinical models, both as standalone treatments and in combination with standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. If these tests are successful, A/Prof Cheung hopes to move forward with a clinical trial to bring these new treatments to children with aggressive cancers.
A/Prof Cheung is funded by Can Too Foundation, in partnership with Cancer Council NSW, through the Cancer Council NSW Project Grant Scheme (Grant ID: RG-21-08 [2021-2024]).
Dr Holly Holliday
Investigating histone citrullination in diffuse midline glioma.
Children's Cancer InstituteDiffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) is one of the most devastating brain cancers affecting children. It is currently incurable and sees young school-aged children progress steadily to their deaths despite all treatment efforts. There is an urgent need for effective treatments. The main driver of DMG is a genetic mutation which causes a defective genetic protein (histone) to be produced, triggering significant disruption to gene activity, ultimately causing cells to become cancerous.
Dr. Holliday's research focuses on a less-studied histone modification called 'citrullination.' The goal is to see if targeting this specific modification can stop the activation of genes that drive tumour growth.
This project aims to deepen our understanding of DMG biology and develop new treatment strategies for children with this devastating disease. For more information on Dr Holliday and her project watch this short presentation.
Dr Holliday’s project - Investigating histone citrullination as a novel epigenetic driver in diffuse midline glioma - is funded by the Can Too Foundation in partnership with the Michael and Joan Tallis Foundation.
Dr Vasilios Panagopoulos
Targeted inhibition of myeloperoxidase: a new therapeutic strategy to prevent multiple myeloma disease progression.
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of AdelaideMultiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that is strongly influenced by the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the bone marrow of patients. As patients go through multiple rounds of treatment, the effectiveness of these therapies decreases and eventually, the cancer becomes resistant to all treatments and unfortunately patients succumb to their disease. Hence, there is an urgent need for new, well-tolerated treatments that can overcome this resistance and prevent relapses.
Dr Panagopoulos’ research focuses on developing a new treatment strategy to address this unmet clinical need. Dr Panagopoulos and his team have previously shown that myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme released by inflammatory cells within the bone marrow, contributes to the progression of multiple myeloma. The goal of this project is to generate the crucial pre-clinical data required to support the development of a new MPO inhibitor, which could then be tested in clinical trials as a treatment for multiple myeloma.
For more information on Dr Panagopoulos’s project click here.
Dr Panagopoulos’ project is funded by the Can Too Foundation in partnership with Cancer Australia through the Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (Grant ID: 2021451).
Prof David Ziegler
Testing a new dual treatment for aggressive childhood brain cancers.
Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South WalesIn Australia, brain cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children. Tragically, many children with brain cancer pass away within a few years of diagnosis.
In previous research, Prof Ziegler has shown that a specific molecular pathway is overactive in aggressive childhood brain cancer and may be a promising target for treatment. In this project, Prof Ziegler will use samples from the most aggressive childhood brain tumours to determine whether a new drug combination can switch off this overactive molecular pathway and stop cancer progression. He will also assess the effectiveness of this drug combination alongside chemotherapy and other current treatments to see if this improves their success.
Prof Ziegler hopes this new combination treatment strategy will lead to a clinical trial for children with aggressive and otherwise incurable brain cancer. For more information on Prof Ziegler’s project click here.
Prof Ziegler’s project is funded by Can Too Foundation, in partnership with Cancer Council NSW, through the Cancer Council NSW Project Grant Scheme (Grant ID: RG-22-08 [2021-2025).
We've funded early-career cancer researchers in Australia since 2005.
Holly Holliday
Vasilios (Bill) Panagopolous
Joshua Tobin
Yolanda Colino-Sanguino
Simone Park
David Gallego-Ortega
Arutha Kulasinghe
Zeyad Nassar
Dongmei Tong
Shuai Li
Paul Timpson
Belamy Cheung
David Ziegler
James Wilmott
Justin Wong
Neil Watkins
Kelly Brooks
Carrie Van Der Weyden
Marlene Hao
Emmy Fleuren
Niantao Deng
Susan Rasmus
Fernando Guimaraes
Nathalie Bock
Tao Liu
Angelica Merlot
Rachel Thijssen
Zeyad Nassar
Vivian Kahl
Prahlad Raninga
George Sharbeen
Phoebe Phillips
James Wilmott
Tracy O'Mara
Nicholas Fletcher
Sumit Sahni
Jyotsna Batra
Fernando Guimaraes
Sarah Hancock
Yuan Cao
Rochelle D'Souza
Philip Hansbro
Camille Guillerey
Angelica Merlot
Lauren Aoude
Yuan Cao
Dominik Beck
Najoua Lalaoui
Tao Liu
Su Yin Lim
Gillian Gould
Shweta Tikoo
Justin Wong
Susan Ramus
Neil Watkins
Natalia Castano-Roiguez
Sophie Broughton
Bree Foley
Clare Slaney
Camille Guillerey
Susan Woods
Laura Bray
Zakalina Kovacevic
Stephen Mattarollo
Patsy Soon
Yu Zheng
Clare Slaney
Vivien Chen
Luc Furic
Michael Doran
Kara Perrow
Phoebe Phillips
Yuanyuan Ge
Xue Qin Yu
Hui K. Gan
Jason Waithman
Carolyn McNees
Rachael Rutkowski
Katie Ashton
Jill Larsen
Nikola Bowden
Daniel Speidel
Jason Dowling
Patsy Soon
Phillippa Taberlay
Patricia Nunez da Costa
Rose Boutros
Jason Waithman
Shusuke Toden
Jessica Holien
Lisa Mielke
Christopher Scarlett
David Zielger
Gough Au
Paul Beavis
Aian Wiegmans
Viive Howell
Helen Pearson
Christine Napier
Ana Janic
Fatima Valdes-Mora
Megan Bywater
Steven Lane
Guy Tsafnat
Khatira Anwari
Donia Moujalled
Andy Hsu
Heidi Hilton
Hilda Pickett
Christine Napier
Antonia Pritchard
Jacqueline Donoghue
Jennifer Stone
Daniel Anews
Maté Biro
Liesel Fitzgerald
Justin Lees
Liz Caldon
Nicole Haynes
Antonia Pritchard
Emma Baker
Akira Nguyen
Xiaomeng Zhang
Kerrilyn Diener
Richard Payne
Paul Neilsen
David Gallego-Ortega
Loretta Lau
Kenneth Micklethwaite
Smitha Georgy
Hamish Campbell
Caroline Ford
Laurent Pangon
Aparna Jayachanan
Randy Suryadinata
Jeremy Henson
Eleanor Ager
Viive Howell
Shane Thomas
Megan Fabbro
Vanessa Bonazzi
Jordane Malaterre
Wayne Thomas
Susan Fanayan
Graham Ball
Matthew Naylor
Ivan Ivetac
Maurice Eisenbruch
Toby Hulf
Kirsten Hammond
Ronald Sluyter
Ulla Simanainen
Hugh Morgan
Tao Liu
Megan Hitchins
