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11 Dec 2019

Master of Cancer Sciences scholarships awarded

  • University of Melbourne
  • VCCC Alliance

The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre has awarded 20 scholarships for students to undertake the Master of Cancer Sciences postgraduate study program in 2020. Scholarships are valued up to $6,480 each. Congratulations to all the scholarship winners and thank you to the students we spoke with who shared their aspirations for next year.

Anne Tripaydonis is a junior doctor at The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Anne

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to work within the Breast, Oncology and Endocrine Surgery Service and was involved in the clinical care of breast cancer patients, from their initial contact with the hospital following diagnosis through BreastScreen or local GP, their peri-operative care, as well as their long-term follow-up in outpatient clinics.   

 I found my role to be a truly rewarding one and thoroughly enjoyed working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. 

My interest in medical research was fostered by the undergraduate research opportunity program (UROP) which enabled me to work at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute alongside professional researchers to gain experience in various laboratory techniques in molecular biology. I think the Master of Cancer Sciences will be a great foundation for advanced training in oncology and I am highly enthusiastic about pursuing a career as a clinician-scientist. 

Alanna Bowen is a speech therapist working in head and neck oncology

Alanna

My role is to provide education, assessment and therapy for communication and swallowing changes following the treatment of head and neck cancer.  

I have been a clinician for 10 years and wanted to further my knowledge and understanding of cancer beyond that of my own profession.  

The subjects exploring survivorship are of particular interest to me and I hope to obtain the skills required to contribute to translational research in a meaningful way. Additionally, I hope to bring new and innovative ideas to my multi-disciplinary team to improve the patient experience. 

Farha Inam is a junior study coordinator in oncology clinical trials

Farha

I am in the gynae-oncology team at the Parkville Clinical Trials Unit, primarily assisting the coordination and administration of clinical trials to help research nurses be able to invest more time supporting patients directly. I think the course will provide specialised knowledge in cancer science and care that is deeper and more complex than my current understanding. As a Biomedical Science (Hons) graduate, I am hoping it will develop my professionalism and specialisation in cancer research and cancer care. 

It will also enable greater opportunities to network with a range of outstanding professionals in my field. 

I think it will improve my ability and confidence to manage care of cancer trial patients in the future through specialised oncology knowledge, understanding of patient disease trajectory and refined analytic skills.

Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre scholarship recipients for 2020 are: 

Sophie Beaumont head of dental oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Alanna Bowen  speech pathologist, Moorabbin Hospital, Monash Health
Nena Davies  oncology haematology compliance pharmacist, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney
Marnie Fitzgerald  physiotherapist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Chloe Georgiou  advanced trainee - oncology, Bendigo Health
Courtney Hill  clinical trial coordinator, University of Newcastle
Leanne Hill  senior oncology pharmacist, Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre
Nadia Hitchen haematology registrar, Auckland City Hospital
Sonya Imbesi physiotherapist, Cabrini Health 
Farha Inam junior study coordinator, Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit 
Melissa Loorham project manager, Bendigo Health
Pey Wen Mak clinical rotational pharmacist, Ramsay Health Care
Michelle Martin oncology fellow, Royal Children's Hospital
Renae Mura pharmacist, Therapeutic Goods Administration, ACT
Cindy Ogluszko prostate cancer specialist nurse, Footscray Hospital, Western Health
Tara Redemski senior physiotherapist, Gold Coast University Hospital 
Katrina Sawyer clinical trials coordinator, Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Barwon Health
Nicole Smolcic nuclear medicine technologist, Eastern Health
Sarah Stroud registered nurse, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, Austin Health
Anne Tripaydonis junior doctor, Royal Melbourne Hospital 

Enrolments for 2020 are open now. Register for information

Register your interest in the course through the University of Melbourne, Master of Cancer Sciences online graduate course guide.

To learn more, contact the University of Melbourne student support team via email or phone 03 8344 0149.

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