The VCCC Alliance is committed to developing research capability across clinical member organisations and beyond.
Professor Meinir Krishnasamy is the program champion for the VCCC Alliance Nurse-Led Research Program and the VCCC Alliance Research & Education Lead, Cancer Nursing. She is also Professor of Nursing at the University of Melbourne and honorary Professor of Cancer Nursing at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Professor Krishnasamy leads a program of supportive care research that focuses on improving access to and coordination of care for adults with cancer, addressing the impact of social determinants of health on patient outcomes, and development and evaluation of nurse-led interventions. Her research is informed by embedded consumer engagement and encompasses the breadth of patient care from diagnosis, to treatment and follow-up.
Sharon De Graves
Program Manager, Nurse-Led Research
Sharon de Graves joined the VCCC Alliance team in April 2021 as the Program Manager for Nurse-Led Research. Sharon has a nursing career that spans over 25 years with a background in paediatric and adolescent oncology and cancer nursing more broadly. She has expertise in the fields of nursing research, education, leadership, and management and is recognised for her contribution to the development of services and standards of practice for children and adolescents with cancer.
In her role at the VCCC Alliance, Sharon works closely with Professor Mei Krishnasamy and Irene Moravski to coordinate, develop, evaluate, implement, and promote activities aimed at building research capacity and capability among nurses who work with people affected by cancer. Sharon believes that nurses are in a unique position to be able to recognise, ask, and respond to critical questions that are essential in driving quality, safe, and innovative cancer care. She is passionate about developing opportunities and supporting nurses to integrate research and inquiry into their everyday practice.
Irene Moravski
Program Coordinator, Nurse-Led Research
Irene started her career as a Medical Scientist working at the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and Royal Melbourne Hospital. After many years in Sales and Marketing roles in major pharmaceutical companies, she transitioned to Research administration roles at the Royal Women’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne. Irene has supported many research projects and now supports the Nurse-Led Research Hub program in its delivery of activities such as workshops, webinars and communications.
