Opening Address
Ms Lisa Briggs
Lung Cancer Patient Advocate, Melbourne
Lisa Briggs’ professional background is in allied health, working as both a Doctor of Osteopathy and an Exercise Physiologist. She owned and operated a successful sports medicine clinic until 2014, when, at the age of 32 and just four months after the birth of her second child, she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Following this life-changing diagnosis, Lisa stepped away from clinical practice to focus on her family and lung cancer advocacy.
At the time, treatment options in Australia were limited - particularly for patients like Lisa with a rare ALK gene rearrangement. Fortunately, she accessed a phase III clinical trial for a targeted therapy and has since benefited from subsequent therapies that more effectively treat brain metastases.
Amongst other roles, Lisa is a named Chief Investigator (CI) on the MRFF-funded TRACKER biobank, where she played a key role in incorporating longitudinal liquid biopsy collection. She is the inaugural chair of the TRACKER Consumer Committee, and sits on the Governance Committee. Lisa is also a named CI on the MRFF ASPiRATION-2 Liquid study for lung cancer, helping lead consumer-driven initiatives. Lisa is also Deputy Chair of ALK Positive Australia and a member of the Rare Cancers Australia Patient Advisory board.
As a patient research advocate, she is committed to advancing collaboration in lung cancer care and ensuring the diverse patient voice remains central in all aspects of research and treatment.
Lung Cancer Patient Advocate, Melbourne
Lisa Briggs’ professional background is in allied health, working as both a Doctor of Osteopathy and an Exercise Physiologist. She owned and operated a successful sports medicine clinic until 2014, when, at the age of 32 and just four months after the birth of her second child, she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Following this life-changing diagnosis, Lisa stepped away from clinical practice to focus on her family and lung cancer advocacy.
At the time, treatment options in Australia were limited - particularly for patients like Lisa with a rare ALK gene rearrangement. Fortunately, she accessed a phase III clinical trial for a targeted therapy and has since benefited from subsequent therapies that more effectively treat brain metastases.
Amongst other roles, Lisa is a named Chief Investigator (CI) on the MRFF-funded TRACKER biobank, where she played a key role in incorporating longitudinal liquid biopsy collection. She is the inaugural chair of the TRACKER Consumer Committee, and sits on the Governance Committee. Lisa is also a named CI on the MRFF ASPiRATION-2 Liquid study for lung cancer, helping lead consumer-driven initiatives. Lisa is also Deputy Chair of ALK Positive Australia and a member of the Rare Cancers Australia Patient Advisory board.
As a patient research advocate, she is committed to advancing collaboration in lung cancer care and ensuring the diverse patient voice remains central in all aspects of research and treatment.
Keynote Speakers
Professor Natasha Leighl, MD, MMSc, FRCPC, FASCO
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Canada
Dr. Natasha Leighl is the Division Head of Medical Oncology and Hematology (DMOH) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the UHN-Sinai Health Department of Medicine. She holds the Daniel E. Bergsagel Chair in Medical Oncology, a joint UHN-University of Toronto Endowed Chair, and is Professor in the Department of Medicine and Adjunct Professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, at the University of Toronto.
As a globally recognized expert in lung cancer precision medicine, diagnostics, clinical management, and drug development, Dr. Leighl has published over 450 peer-reviewed papers and been recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher and ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar. She previously led the Thoracic Medical Oncology Group at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre from 2011 to 2025 and held the OSI Pharmaceuticals Foundation Chair in Cancer New Drug Development through the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation from 2012 to 2025.
Dr. Leighl has made significant contributions to lung cancer research and treatment, including leadership of international clinical trials, drug development and establishing the role of liquid biopsy in clinical care. She and her team continue to work to improve outcomes for patients and access to state of the art care in Canada and worldwide. She serves on numerous international committees including the Board of Directors of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. She chairs multiple guideline groups including the ASCO Thoracic Guidelines Advisory Group, the ESMO Early-Stage Lung Cancer Guideline, the International Society of Liquid Biopsy (ISLB) Education Committee and is ISLB Secretary-Elect. In 2019, she received the ASCO Excellence in Teaching Award. Many of her trainees have gone on to oncology leadership roles around the world.
Dr Tadayoshi Hashimoto, MD, PhD
National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan
Dr. Tadayoshi Hashimoto is a board-certified gastrointestinal oncologist and surgeon at the National Cancer Center Hospital East (NCCE) in Japan. He currently serves in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, the Translational Research Support Office, and the Perioperative Treatment Development Promotion Office. His primary expertise lies in precision oncology and translational research in gastrointestinal malignancies. His research focuses on liquid biopsy technologies, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as well as tumor microenvironment profiling to inform treatment strategies across solid tumors. He serves as the principal investigator on multiple nationally funded projects, including investigator-initiated clinical trials involving ctDNA-based molecular residual disease (MRD) detection, in particular the CIRCULATE and MONSTAR programs.
His work spans a broad spectrum of oncology research—ranging from clinical trial design and implementation to the development of novel therapeutic approaches and the integration of molecular diagnostics into routine clinical care. Dr. Hashimoto has received several prestigious awards and travel grants, including selection for an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting. He has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals. Through his ongoing clinical and research efforts, Dr. Hashimoto continues to advance personalized treatment strategies and translational applications for patients with solid tumors.
National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan
Dr. Tadayoshi Hashimoto is a board-certified gastrointestinal oncologist and surgeon at the National Cancer Center Hospital East (NCCE) in Japan. He currently serves in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, the Translational Research Support Office, and the Perioperative Treatment Development Promotion Office. His primary expertise lies in precision oncology and translational research in gastrointestinal malignancies. His research focuses on liquid biopsy technologies, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as well as tumor microenvironment profiling to inform treatment strategies across solid tumors. He serves as the principal investigator on multiple nationally funded projects, including investigator-initiated clinical trials involving ctDNA-based molecular residual disease (MRD) detection, in particular the CIRCULATE and MONSTAR programs.
His work spans a broad spectrum of oncology research—ranging from clinical trial design and implementation to the development of novel therapeutic approaches and the integration of molecular diagnostics into routine clinical care. Dr. Hashimoto has received several prestigious awards and travel grants, including selection for an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting. He has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals. Through his ongoing clinical and research efforts, Dr. Hashimoto continues to advance personalized treatment strategies and translational applications for patients with solid tumors.
Dr Edmond Kwan, MBBS, PhD, FRACP
Eastern Health Clinical School & Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University
Dr Edmond Kwan is a clinician-scientist and consultant medical oncologist at Eastern Health in Melbourne. He is currently serving as Laboratory Head and Senior Research Fellow at the Eastern Health Clinical School, with a cross-appointment at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
After completing his specialist clinical training, Dr Kwan received an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship to support his doctoral research investigating whole blood RNA to characterise aggressive molecular subtypes in prostate cancer. Following his PhD, he relocated to Canada for a postdoctoral fellowship at BC Cancer and the Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia. His postdoctoral research primarily centred on developing tissue and circulating tumour DNA biomarkers for predicting treatment outcomes in lethal metastatic prostate cancer. Beyond the laboratory, Dr Kwan has maintained strong links to patient care, serving as a Principal Investigator on early and late-phase clinical trials in prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer. By combining expertise in cancer genomics and clinical oncology, his research team strives to understand how genomic and epigenomic alterations identified in tumour tissue and blood can better guide therapeutic decision-making in patients with urological cancers.
Eastern Health Clinical School & Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University
Dr Edmond Kwan is a clinician-scientist and consultant medical oncologist at Eastern Health in Melbourne. He is currently serving as Laboratory Head and Senior Research Fellow at the Eastern Health Clinical School, with a cross-appointment at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
After completing his specialist clinical training, Dr Kwan received an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship to support his doctoral research investigating whole blood RNA to characterise aggressive molecular subtypes in prostate cancer. Following his PhD, he relocated to Canada for a postdoctoral fellowship at BC Cancer and the Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia. His postdoctoral research primarily centred on developing tissue and circulating tumour DNA biomarkers for predicting treatment outcomes in lethal metastatic prostate cancer. Beyond the laboratory, Dr Kwan has maintained strong links to patient care, serving as a Principal Investigator on early and late-phase clinical trials in prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer. By combining expertise in cancer genomics and clinical oncology, his research team strives to understand how genomic and epigenomic alterations identified in tumour tissue and blood can better guide therapeutic decision-making in patients with urological cancers.
Dr Jeffrey Ross, MD
Foundation Medicine, USA
Jeffrey Ross, M.D., is a leader in the field of molecular diagnostics, having received a number of academic awards, been awarded three patents and authored more than 600 peer-reviewed scientific articles and abstracts, four textbooks and numerous book chapters in the fields of pathology, molecular diagnostics, oncology and translational cancer research.
Dr. Ross is the Cyrus Strong Merrill Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Albany Medical College, where he directs an extramurally funded research laboratory in molecular pathology. Between 1999 and 2004, Dr. Ross served as Scientific Fellow and Head of Molecular Pathology at Millennium Pharmaceuticals before co-founding Syfr, Inc. an RFID Specimen Management and IHC/ISH/FISH autostainer company. Prior to that Dr. Ross served as Medical Director for Managed Care for Roche Biomedical Laboratories and Laboratory Corporation of America.
Since 2000, Dr. Ross has been a member of the NIH Clinical Oncology Study Section. He serves on the editorial boards and reviewer lists of numerous scientific journals and is Associate Editor for Basic Science of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology. He has served in multiple leadership positions for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the College of American Pathologists, the International Academy of Pathology, the Association of Pathology Chairs and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
He is a graduate of Oberlin College and The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. He served as an intern resident and fellow in anatomic and clinical pathology at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
Foundation Medicine, USA
Jeffrey Ross, M.D., is a leader in the field of molecular diagnostics, having received a number of academic awards, been awarded three patents and authored more than 600 peer-reviewed scientific articles and abstracts, four textbooks and numerous book chapters in the fields of pathology, molecular diagnostics, oncology and translational cancer research.
Dr. Ross is the Cyrus Strong Merrill Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Albany Medical College, where he directs an extramurally funded research laboratory in molecular pathology. Between 1999 and 2004, Dr. Ross served as Scientific Fellow and Head of Molecular Pathology at Millennium Pharmaceuticals before co-founding Syfr, Inc. an RFID Specimen Management and IHC/ISH/FISH autostainer company. Prior to that Dr. Ross served as Medical Director for Managed Care for Roche Biomedical Laboratories and Laboratory Corporation of America.
Since 2000, Dr. Ross has been a member of the NIH Clinical Oncology Study Section. He serves on the editorial boards and reviewer lists of numerous scientific journals and is Associate Editor for Basic Science of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology. He has served in multiple leadership positions for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the College of American Pathologists, the International Academy of Pathology, the Association of Pathology Chairs and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
He is a graduate of Oberlin College and The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. He served as an intern resident and fellow in anatomic and clinical pathology at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
National Invited Speakers
Distinguished Laureate Professor Roger Smith, MBBS, PhD, AM
University of Newcastle
Roger Smith AM is currently Distinguished Laureate Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Newcastle, and Scientific Director of the Mothers and Babies Research Centre. He is internationally recognised for his expertise in the endocrinology of pregnancy, placental function and translational research. He is especially known for his work on human parturition, stillbirth, Indigenous health and maternal mortality in low income countries. The City of Newcastle has appointed Roger as a Freeman of the City for his services to the community.
Professor Roger Smith’s research career began with undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney when he was given special opportunities to conduct physiological research. Following graduation with honours he pursued clinical training in Sydney, Perth and Christchurch. He published on reproductive endocrinology during his clinical training winning a PhD scholarship to attend the laboratories of Professors Michael Besser, Lesley Rees and Phil Lowry at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He then returned to Australia as Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle. In Newcastle he has developed a strong team of researchers focused on understanding the pathophysiology of pregnancy and translation into clinical practice. He has been visiting Professor in Geneva, Siena, Yale, Harvard and at the NIH perinatal research division. He has been progressively promoted and has held his personal chair for 25 years. Roger has published over 380 articles, including over 70 in the last 5 years. His total citations are over 12,000 and his H-Index is 57. His writing has appeared in Nature Medicine, Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine and specialist journals such as Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and Endocrinology. His work has been reviewed in SCIENCE.
University of Newcastle
Roger Smith AM is currently Distinguished Laureate Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Newcastle, and Scientific Director of the Mothers and Babies Research Centre. He is internationally recognised for his expertise in the endocrinology of pregnancy, placental function and translational research. He is especially known for his work on human parturition, stillbirth, Indigenous health and maternal mortality in low income countries. The City of Newcastle has appointed Roger as a Freeman of the City for his services to the community.
Professor Roger Smith’s research career began with undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney when he was given special opportunities to conduct physiological research. Following graduation with honours he pursued clinical training in Sydney, Perth and Christchurch. He published on reproductive endocrinology during his clinical training winning a PhD scholarship to attend the laboratories of Professors Michael Besser, Lesley Rees and Phil Lowry at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He then returned to Australia as Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle. In Newcastle he has developed a strong team of researchers focused on understanding the pathophysiology of pregnancy and translation into clinical practice. He has been visiting Professor in Geneva, Siena, Yale, Harvard and at the NIH perinatal research division. He has been progressively promoted and has held his personal chair for 25 years. Roger has published over 380 articles, including over 70 in the last 5 years. His total citations are over 12,000 and his H-Index is 57. His writing has appeared in Nature Medicine, Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine and specialist journals such as Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and Endocrinology. His work has been reviewed in SCIENCE.
Professor Delphine Merino, PhD
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne
Prof Merino is the head of the Tumour Progression and Heterogeneity laboratory at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute. She is also the president of the Australasian Metastasis Research Society and board member of the Metastasis Research Society.
The overall objective of her research is to identify the biological features of the cells which are most likely to resist standard therapy and form clinically relevant macro-metastasis. Her laboratory is building models, using several technologies including cellular barcoding, sequencing and imaging, to understand how these cells survive in different organs and interact with their microenvironment. These models will be useful not only to understand how the tumour spreads, but also to identify new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat advanced disease.
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne
Prof Merino is the head of the Tumour Progression and Heterogeneity laboratory at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute. She is also the president of the Australasian Metastasis Research Society and board member of the Metastasis Research Society.
The overall objective of her research is to identify the biological features of the cells which are most likely to resist standard therapy and form clinically relevant macro-metastasis. Her laboratory is building models, using several technologies including cellular barcoding, sequencing and imaging, to understand how these cells survive in different organs and interact with their microenvironment. These models will be useful not only to understand how the tumour spreads, but also to identify new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat advanced disease.
Dr Gregory Gaughran, MB Bch BAO LRCP & SI BSc (Psych) MRCP (UK) FRACP
Barwon Health, Monash University & OMICO/CASP, Melbourne
Dr Gaughran is a medical oncologist practising in Melbourne with specialty interests in GI, HNSCC and Breast as well as having research appointments at Monash University/Alfred Health and UNSW (in Genomics and Precision Oncology). He contributes to three molecular tumor boards, is a regular writer for ResearchReview and is on the COSA Geriatric Oncology research committee and Victorian HNSCC Summit Committee. He also works as a cancer genomicist at OMICO/CASP in addition to being a final year MPH candidate in the biostats/genomics pathway as well as commencing a clinical fellowship in cancer genetics at Monash Health.
Barwon Health, Monash University & OMICO/CASP, Melbourne
Dr Gaughran is a medical oncologist practising in Melbourne with specialty interests in GI, HNSCC and Breast as well as having research appointments at Monash University/Alfred Health and UNSW (in Genomics and Precision Oncology). He contributes to three molecular tumor boards, is a regular writer for ResearchReview and is on the COSA Geriatric Oncology research committee and Victorian HNSCC Summit Committee. He also works as a cancer genomicist at OMICO/CASP in addition to being a final year MPH candidate in the biostats/genomics pathway as well as commencing a clinical fellowship in cancer genetics at Monash Health.
Dr Rodrigo Carlessi, PhD
Curtin Medical Research institute, Perth
Dr Rodrigo Carlessi is a cancer genomics specialist with a focus on liver cancer. He leads
the Cancer Genomics Group at the Liver Disease and Regeneration Laboratory, Curtin Medical Research Institute. His research combines cutting-edge genomics, transcriptomics, and long-read sequencing to uncover mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in liver disease and cancer. He has authored 43 publications with over 2,680 citations.
Dr Carlessi earned a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology from UFRGS (Brazil), an MSc in Molecular Genetics from the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), and a PhD in Molecular Endocrinology from UFRGS. Since joining Curtin University in 2016, he has completed postdoctoral training in beta cell biology and received recognition from the Australian Diabetes Society and Heart Foundation. In 2019, he was recruited to lead the Cancer Genomics Group and was awarded a Cancer Council WA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2021–2024).
His recent work on liver cancer risk prediction has gained international attention, with publications in Cell Genomics, Science Advances, and Nature (2023–2025). He has been invited to present at major conferences including Oz Single Cell, the Australian Liver Cancer Experts Gallipoli Meeting, WYMM Melbourne 2025, and international forums in Crete and Sydney. Dr Carlessi is currently developing innovative liquid biopsy assays for the detection and monitoring of liver cancer, alongside RNA-based therapeutic strategies that target oncogenic pathways. These efforts aim to advance both the diagnosis and treatment of
liver cancer. His work has also led to collaborative partnerships with leading institutions, including the University of Edinburgh, UC San Diego, Monash University, and UNSW.
Curtin Medical Research institute, Perth
Dr Rodrigo Carlessi is a cancer genomics specialist with a focus on liver cancer. He leads
the Cancer Genomics Group at the Liver Disease and Regeneration Laboratory, Curtin Medical Research Institute. His research combines cutting-edge genomics, transcriptomics, and long-read sequencing to uncover mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in liver disease and cancer. He has authored 43 publications with over 2,680 citations.
Dr Carlessi earned a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology from UFRGS (Brazil), an MSc in Molecular Genetics from the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), and a PhD in Molecular Endocrinology from UFRGS. Since joining Curtin University in 2016, he has completed postdoctoral training in beta cell biology and received recognition from the Australian Diabetes Society and Heart Foundation. In 2019, he was recruited to lead the Cancer Genomics Group and was awarded a Cancer Council WA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2021–2024).
His recent work on liver cancer risk prediction has gained international attention, with publications in Cell Genomics, Science Advances, and Nature (2023–2025). He has been invited to present at major conferences including Oz Single Cell, the Australian Liver Cancer Experts Gallipoli Meeting, WYMM Melbourne 2025, and international forums in Crete and Sydney. Dr Carlessi is currently developing innovative liquid biopsy assays for the detection and monitoring of liver cancer, alongside RNA-based therapeutic strategies that target oncogenic pathways. These efforts aim to advance both the diagnosis and treatment of
liver cancer. His work has also led to collaborative partnerships with leading institutions, including the University of Edinburgh, UC San Diego, Monash University, and UNSW.
Associate Professor Richard Tothill, PhD
University of Melbourne, Melbourne
Associate Professor Richard Tothill is a cancer genomics researcher at the University of Melbourne and the Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine, where he directs the Rare Disease Oncogenomics Laboratory. His research focuses on rare neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), including those of the sympathoadrenal tissues (phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas), skin (Merkel cell carcinoma), and the gastroenteropancreatic region (gastroenteropancreatic NETs).
A/Prof Tothill uses cutting-edge genomic techniques—such as whole-genome, whole-exome, and clinical panel sequencing, as well as gene-expression profiling through microarray, RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq—to construct detailed molecular portraits of these rare cancer types. In addition to his foundational research, A/Prof Tothill has played a pivotal role in the development of diagnostic tests and translating genomics into clinical practice. He serves as the translational lead for Solving Unknown Primary Cancer (SUPER) program and is principal investigator of the SUPER-NEXT study - a highly successful national clinical genomics study. This project involves the application of whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and liquid biopsy methods to diagnose and provide precision treatment option for patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP).
University of Melbourne, Melbourne
Associate Professor Richard Tothill is a cancer genomics researcher at the University of Melbourne and the Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine, where he directs the Rare Disease Oncogenomics Laboratory. His research focuses on rare neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), including those of the sympathoadrenal tissues (phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas), skin (Merkel cell carcinoma), and the gastroenteropancreatic region (gastroenteropancreatic NETs).
A/Prof Tothill uses cutting-edge genomic techniques—such as whole-genome, whole-exome, and clinical panel sequencing, as well as gene-expression profiling through microarray, RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq—to construct detailed molecular portraits of these rare cancer types. In addition to his foundational research, A/Prof Tothill has played a pivotal role in the development of diagnostic tests and translating genomics into clinical practice. He serves as the translational lead for Solving Unknown Primary Cancer (SUPER) program and is principal investigator of the SUPER-NEXT study - a highly successful national clinical genomics study. This project involves the application of whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and liquid biopsy methods to diagnose and provide precision treatment option for patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP).
Associate Professor Mugdha Joglekar, PhD
School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney
Dr. Mugdha Joglekar is an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine, Western Sydney University. Mugdha has a master’s degree in biotechnology with two University Gold medals and a PhD from the University of Pune. Her PhD program involved understanding the potential of human islet-derived progenitor cells (hIPCs) to differentiate into insulin-producing cells as well as role of a class of non-coding RNAs (microRNAs) in pancreas development, regeneration, and differentiation (2004-2009). As a JDRF post-doctoral fellow (2011-2014),
Mugdha has been trained in immunology of diabetes and human islet transplantation through the Tom Mandel Islet Transplant Program at the St. Vincent’s Institute. She then received JDRF Advanced post-doctoral award to understand the potential of microRNAs as biomarkers of type 1 diabetes (2016-2019). Mugdha is also a recipient of ADS Skip Martin Award (2015-16) and JDRF Transition Award (2019-2021), which has helped her to continue research in the field of diabetes and establish her own research niche in human islet biology. She has published over 85 research articles, received multiple awards and independent research funding. She has extensive experience as a reviewer for specialty journals as well as for funding bodies including NHMRC, Diabetes Australia and Danish Diabetes Academy. She currently supervises 1 post-doc, 5 PhD, 2 masters students and has a growing national and international collaborative network. She is a mid-career researcher with an objective to contribute to diabetes research, using contemporary cellular and molecular biology tools to achieve improved human health outcomes.
School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney
Dr. Mugdha Joglekar is an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine, Western Sydney University. Mugdha has a master’s degree in biotechnology with two University Gold medals and a PhD from the University of Pune. Her PhD program involved understanding the potential of human islet-derived progenitor cells (hIPCs) to differentiate into insulin-producing cells as well as role of a class of non-coding RNAs (microRNAs) in pancreas development, regeneration, and differentiation (2004-2009). As a JDRF post-doctoral fellow (2011-2014),
Mugdha has been trained in immunology of diabetes and human islet transplantation through the Tom Mandel Islet Transplant Program at the St. Vincent’s Institute. She then received JDRF Advanced post-doctoral award to understand the potential of microRNAs as biomarkers of type 1 diabetes (2016-2019). Mugdha is also a recipient of ADS Skip Martin Award (2015-16) and JDRF Transition Award (2019-2021), which has helped her to continue research in the field of diabetes and establish her own research niche in human islet biology. She has published over 85 research articles, received multiple awards and independent research funding. She has extensive experience as a reviewer for specialty journals as well as for funding bodies including NHMRC, Diabetes Australia and Danish Diabetes Academy. She currently supervises 1 post-doc, 5 PhD, 2 masters students and has a growing national and international collaborative network. She is a mid-career researcher with an objective to contribute to diabetes research, using contemporary cellular and molecular biology tools to achieve improved human health outcomes.
Dr Ying Zhu, PhD
University of Technology Sydney, Sydney
Dr Ying Zhu is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she leads the Laboratory of In-Vitro NanoDiagnostics. Her research focuses on advancing diagnostic technologies by translating frontier nanoscale tools into practical clinical applications.
Dr Zhu completed her PhD in optical biosensors (2011-2015) from Australia's preeminent biosensor and biodevice research group at UNSW, working under the guidance of Professor Justin Gooding. She then expanded her expertise in translational cancer research as a postdoctoral fellow (2015–2017) at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering in the USA, focusing on the clinical applications of biosensors. Her contributions to cancer diagnostics were further recognised with a Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellowship (2017–2020), which supported her work in developing advanced nanoplasmonic biosensors. Dr. Zhu joined UTS as a Lecturer in 2020 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2023. She was awarded an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) in 2024.
Dr. Zhu’s current research takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining chemistry, physics, materials science, nanotechnology, and biomedicine. She is committed to translational biomedical research, developing new analytical technologies through collaborative efforts to bridge laboratory discoveries with patient care.
University of Technology Sydney, Sydney
Dr Ying Zhu is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she leads the Laboratory of In-Vitro NanoDiagnostics. Her research focuses on advancing diagnostic technologies by translating frontier nanoscale tools into practical clinical applications.
Dr Zhu completed her PhD in optical biosensors (2011-2015) from Australia's preeminent biosensor and biodevice research group at UNSW, working under the guidance of Professor Justin Gooding. She then expanded her expertise in translational cancer research as a postdoctoral fellow (2015–2017) at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering in the USA, focusing on the clinical applications of biosensors. Her contributions to cancer diagnostics were further recognised with a Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellowship (2017–2020), which supported her work in developing advanced nanoplasmonic biosensors. Dr. Zhu joined UTS as a Lecturer in 2020 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2023. She was awarded an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) in 2024.
Dr. Zhu’s current research takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining chemistry, physics, materials science, nanotechnology, and biomedicine. She is committed to translational biomedical research, developing new analytical technologies through collaborative efforts to bridge laboratory discoveries with patient care.
Dr Julia Matas, PhD
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne
Júlia Matas completed her PhD at the University of Barcelona, where she applied ultra-deep sequencing for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Additionally, she contributed to the development of Genomic and Epigenomic Unified Sequencing (GEUS) technology at Aniling Biotech. In 2023, she joined the Dawson Lab, where she now uses multi-omic analysis of cell-free DNA for real-time profiling of genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic tumour and immune-related features, aiming to uncover mechanisms of tumour evolution and therapeutic resistance
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne
Júlia Matas completed her PhD at the University of Barcelona, where she applied ultra-deep sequencing for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Additionally, she contributed to the development of Genomic and Epigenomic Unified Sequencing (GEUS) technology at Aniling Biotech. In 2023, she joined the Dawson Lab, where she now uses multi-omic analysis of cell-free DNA for real-time profiling of genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic tumour and immune-related features, aiming to uncover mechanisms of tumour evolution and therapeutic resistance
Dr Kristina Warton, PhD
University of NSW, Sydney
Dr Kristina Warton’s focus is on maximising the sensitivity of PCR assays for cell-free DNA tests and minimising cell-free DNA artefacts, both biological and technical. Dr Warton leads the Ovarian Cancer Early Diagnosis Project within the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales, working to translate DNA methylation changes in circulating DNA into diagnostic tests for early-stage ovarian cancer. Together with Dr Goli Samimi, Dr Warton co-edited the “Cell-free Circulating DNA: Purification and analysis techniques” book.
University of NSW, Sydney
Dr Kristina Warton’s focus is on maximising the sensitivity of PCR assays for cell-free DNA tests and minimising cell-free DNA artefacts, both biological and technical. Dr Warton leads the Ovarian Cancer Early Diagnosis Project within the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales, working to translate DNA methylation changes in circulating DNA into diagnostic tests for early-stage ovarian cancer. Together with Dr Goli Samimi, Dr Warton co-edited the “Cell-free Circulating DNA: Purification and analysis techniques” book.
Associate Professor Erin Symonds, PhD
Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide
Assoc Prof Erin Symonds has over 20 years of experience in gastroenterology research. She completed her PhD (physiology) through the University of Adelaide, then received a NHMRC Post-doctoral fellowship to research the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, which included working in the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre in University College Cork (Cork, Ireland), followed by the Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics laboratory at CSIRO (Adelaide, South Australia). Since the beginning of 2013 she has been the team leader of the Bowel Health Services (Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia). Her team’s research focus is on cancer biomarkers and prevention, and through funding from Cancer Australia, NHMRC and the Medical Research Future Fund, the team are developing and optimising non-invasive diagnostic techniques for detection of gastrointestinal cancers. Their research includes discovery science, behavioural research, large data registries, clinical trials and health economics. The team’s expertise addresses improving cancer screening options for people in the community, optimising surveillance for people who are at higher risk for developing cancer, and monitoring for risk of cancer recurrence after surgery.
Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide
Assoc Prof Erin Symonds has over 20 years of experience in gastroenterology research. She completed her PhD (physiology) through the University of Adelaide, then received a NHMRC Post-doctoral fellowship to research the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, which included working in the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre in University College Cork (Cork, Ireland), followed by the Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics laboratory at CSIRO (Adelaide, South Australia). Since the beginning of 2013 she has been the team leader of the Bowel Health Services (Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia). Her team’s research focus is on cancer biomarkers and prevention, and through funding from Cancer Australia, NHMRC and the Medical Research Future Fund, the team are developing and optimising non-invasive diagnostic techniques for detection of gastrointestinal cancers. Their research includes discovery science, behavioural research, large data registries, clinical trials and health economics. The team’s expertise addresses improving cancer screening options for people in the community, optimising surveillance for people who are at higher risk for developing cancer, and monitoring for risk of cancer recurrence after surgery.
SeLected from the Abstract speakers |
Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee (University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ)
Dr Melissa Thomas (Garvan Institute, Sydney)
Dr Wehan Chen (Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney)
Ms Vinay Narwal (Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney)
Professor Helen Rizos (Macquarie University, Sydney)
Associate Professor Clare Stirzaker (Garvan Institute, Sydney)
Dr Russell Diefenbach (Macquarie University, Sydney)
Professor Greg Rice (CCR, University of Queensland, Brisbane)
Dr Melissa Thomas (Garvan Institute, Sydney)
Dr Wehan Chen (Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney)
Ms Vinay Narwal (Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney)
Professor Helen Rizos (Macquarie University, Sydney)
Associate Professor Clare Stirzaker (Garvan Institute, Sydney)
Dr Russell Diefenbach (Macquarie University, Sydney)
Professor Greg Rice (CCR, University of Queensland, Brisbane)
industry speakers
Professor Anand Hardikar (School of Medicine, Western Sydney University)
Dr Chee Yang Lee (Senior FAS, Diagnostics and Genomics Group, South Asia Pacific, Agilent Technologies)
Dr. Aarti Gokhale (Senior Manager - Gene Reading APAC at Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)
Dr Gabrielle Wishart (ANGLE Europe Ltd)
Dr Tommy Lo (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Pacific)
Dr Chee Yang Lee (Senior FAS, Diagnostics and Genomics Group, South Asia Pacific, Agilent Technologies)
Dr. Aarti Gokhale (Senior Manager - Gene Reading APAC at Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)
Dr Gabrielle Wishart (ANGLE Europe Ltd)
Dr Tommy Lo (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Pacific)
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