Bridging the Gap - 'Grow a pair! Insights from a basic science-clinical collaboration on ovarian cancer'

Dr Caroline Ford is a cancer researcher within the School of Women's and Children's Health at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre. She leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, which aims to understand why gynaecological cancers develop, how and why they spread throughout the body, and how best to treat them. “Gynaecological cancer” encompasses all cancers of the female reproductive system, her current research focuses on ovarian and endometrial cancer. Current projects include the development of an early detection test for ovarian cancer, and the identification of key targets for anti-metastatic therapies in ovarian and endometrial cancer. She has completed a Graduate Certificate in University Learning & Teaching, and is passionate about science communication and enhancing the health literacy of the wider community. In 2017 she was named as an inaugural ‘Superstar of STEM’ by Science & Technology Australia. 

Professor Neville Hacker is an internationally-recognised cancer researcher and surgical oncologist in the field of gynaecological oncology. Over the last 40 years, he’s dedicated his professional life to improving health outcomes of women with gynaecological cancer; achieving this through a passion for innovation, a relentless pursuit of the highest standards of clinical care, and an abiding commitment to surgical oncology training and education. A pioneer in the field, Neville has been the driving force behind the development of gynaecological oncology as a subspecialty in Australia. Prior to this, the study and practice of gynaecological oncology was confined to North America. He was the first Australian to achieve American Board of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Certification in Gynaecological Oncology. Neville established Australia’s first multidisciplinary Gynaecological Cancer Centre at the Royal Hospital for Women (Sydney), with the success of this model leading to its replication across the Asia Pacific region.