Three talented researchers to receive $ 10,000 each to extend their research and develop global collaborations
Each year, the VCCC invites PhD students to apply for a prestigious award in the categories of basic science, clinical science and population health. The Picchi Award for Excellence in Cancer Research prizes are awarded in a tradition that has spanned more than a decade, and acknowledge potential world-class researchers embarking on their careers.
The VCCC and Picchi Brothers Foundation are delighted to announce the Picchi Award winners for 2020:
Basic Science
Stefan Bjelosevic, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Investigating FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-induced metabolic reprogramming in acute myeloid leukaemia
Population Health
Matthew Grant, Palliative Nexus Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne at St Vincent’s Hospital
An exploration of informal communities in cancer treatment
Clinical Science
Deborah Meyran, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
New CAR-T cells to enhance paediatric immunotherapy
Deborah Meyran is a pediatric oncologist and has developed a completely new type of CAR-T cell for therapeutic use. Patients receive a lower dose of CAR-T cells, but they will persist longer in patients and have better anti-tumour abilities. Deborah is now translating this groundbreaking work into refractory childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and hopes to use the ‘Picchi’ to visit internationally recognised CAR-T cell centres of excellence.
“As a paediatric oncologist, I strongly believe that the only way to make real progress in children’s cancers and improve the outcome of these young patients is through international academic collaborations,” says Deborah.
“I was incredibly fortunate to do my PhD at PeterMac, where researchers and clinicians focus all their effort to find better treatment for patients with cancer. My ultimate goal is to use my expertise in immunotherapy and in paediatric oncology to enable clinical translation and build clinical trials specifically for children with cancers. The Picchi Award will assist me in gathering experts from my European and Australian networks as well as leaders in the immunotherapy field from the USA, and build clinical trials dedicated to paediatric patients with cancers.”
"My ultimate goal is to use my expertise in immunotherapy and in paediatric oncology to enable clinical translation and build clinical trials specifically for children with cancers." Deborah Meyran
Matthew Grant is dually qualified as a general practitioner and palliative medicine physician, interested in integrated cancer care, particularly primary and informal care. His PhD, through the Palliative Nexus Research Group and Monash University, examines the impacts of cancer care that occurs outside clinical consultations; the chats in the chemotherapy unit, or patients sharing stories of their treatment in the ward. He is also primary investigator of a collaborative project establishing patterns of primary care usage at the end of life in cancer.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be awarded the Picchi prize, and so thankful for the dedication and support from my supervisors and research group at Palliative Nexus,” says Matt. “The prize will allow me to share the results of our work internationally at the EAPC World Congress, and to visit experts in primary care data-linkage in Europe.”
"The prize will allow me to share the results of our work internationally at the EAPC World Congress." Matt Grant
Stefan Bjelosevic is a final year PhD student at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. His research focusses on mutations in the FLT3 gene, which commonly arises in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Stefan recently discovered previously unappreciated roles for mutant FLT3 in the regulation of cellular metabolism, wherein FLT3 mutations modulate, and render leukaemia cells dependent on, the amino acid serine. These findings suggest that targeting of serine metabolism may be a therapeutic strategy in patients who carry FLT3 mutations. He hopes to expand his technical expertise in the analysis of metabolic datasets by undertaking further training at the Cold Spring Harbor Metabolomics Course, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, New York.
“Discoveries in basic science underpin all clinical advancements”, says Stefan. “I am very grateful that the Picchi Brothers Foundation, and the VCCC alliance, places such high esteem, and invests in basic science.”
“Discoveries in basic science underpin all clinical advancements." Stefan Bjelosevic
A presentation featuring Picchi Award winners’ research will occur at the VCCC building later this year.
Image: L-R Matthew Grant, Deborah Meyran and Stefan Bjelosevic
