The prestigious Picchi Awards, supported by the Picchi Brothers Foundation, aim to inspire and encourage the next generation of cancer research leaders.
Three outstanding PhD students are chosen from the categories of basic science, clinical science and population health. Each award winner receives $10,000 to learn and build networks, providing support towards research independence.
The awards are available to PhD students who have confirmed candidature at a University affiliated with a VCCC Alliance member organisation and who are undertaking cancer-related research training within a VCCC Alliance member organisation at the application closing date.
Basic Science: Kenji Mark Fujihara, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The determinants of sensitivity and mechanisms of action of APR-246 (Eprenetapopt)
Population Health: Martin Vu, University of Melbourne
Using real-world evidence to assess the clinical utility of high-throughput sequencing technologies: the pursuit of precision medicine for haematological malignancies
Clinical Science: Stacie Shiqi Wang, WEHI, Children’s Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in paediatric high-grade glioma
Basic Science: Stefan Bjelosevic, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Investigating FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-induced metabolic reprogramming in acute myeloid leukaemia
Clinical Science: Deborah Meyran, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
New CAR-T cells to enhance paediatric immunotherapy
Population Health: Matthew Grant, St Vincent’s Hospital, Palliative Nexus Research Group, University of Melbourne
An exploration of informal communities in cancer treatment
Basic Science: Amanda Oliver, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Tissue-specific tumour microenvironments and their impact on immunotherapy responses
Clinical Science: Edward Chew, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
Identification of novel genetic drivers in the development of acute myeloid leukemia
Population Health: Sibel Saya, University of Melbourne
The acceptability, feasibility and clinical utility of a genomic profile to target screening for colorectal cancer
Basic Science: Ms Simone Park, University of Melbourne - Doherty Institute
The role of tissue-resident memory T cells in melanoma immune surveillance
Clinical Science: Dr Jonathan Hiller, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Exploring perioperative adjunctive therapies that can be utilised during cancer surgery to improve cancer outcomes
Population Health: Dr Shuai Li, University of Melbourne
DNA methylation and breast cancer risk factors: insights from twin and family studies
Basic Science: Rebecca Delconte, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and University of Melbourne
Targeting Regulators of Natural Killer Cell Homeostasis in Cancer Immunotherapy
Clinical Science: Kathryn Field, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne
Towards the further understanding of prognosis and outcomes for patients with high grade gliomas: A randomised phase II study of Carboplatin and Bevacizumab in Recurrent Glioblastoma (CABARET study)
Population Health: Kevin Nguyen, University of Melbourne
Breast Cancer Associations with Mammographic Density Defined by Higher Pixel Brightness Thresholds
Image: Most recent live award ceremony featuring winners of Picchi Awards 2020.