Introducing our Speakers for #BCT2026
The Annual Scientific Meeting brings together Breast Cancer Trials (BCT) members, breast cancer researchers, and those involved in the conduct of clinical trials, to learn more about recent advances in breast cancer research worldwide, and the developments in BCT-conducted clinical trials.
Jana de Boniface
International Guest Speaker
Jana de Boniface
International Guest Speaker
Jana de Boniface is a general surgeon trained in Berlin, Germany, and Stockholm, Sweden.
Her clinical dedication lies in breast surgery and specifically in oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery, which she practices as a consultant at Capio Saint Göran’s Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.
She is a passionate teacher with annual oncoplastic courses attracting an international faculty. As a clinical professor at Karolinska Institutet, she is well known for her large international SENOMAC trial in axillary surgery de-escalation and conducts both register-based and prospective clinical research aiming to individualise breast and axillary surgery in breast cancer to minimise its potentially negative impact on patients' quality of life without compromising survival outcomes.
Recently, she also dove into the area of exercise oncology, where she runs the largest internationally randomised trial on exercise as an addition to primary systemic therapy.
In recognition of her patient-centred and implementation-focused work, she received both the Annual Award by the patients’ national breast cancer association of Sweden and the Jubilee Award by the Swedish Medical Association in 2024.
Giuseppe Curigliano
International Guest Speaker
Giuseppe Curigliano
International Guest Speaker
Giuseppe Curigliano, MD, PhD, is the director of the Early Drug Development Division and holds the co-chair for Experimental Therapeutics Program at the European Institute of Oncology, a comprehensive cancer center in Milano, Italy. He is a steering committee member of the Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology at the University of Milano. Moreover, he is a member of the Italian National Health Council, serving as advisor of the Ministry of Health for cancer policy issues.
He worked at the Columbia University Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York, USA, developing experience in preclinical and translational research. He was also a visiting scholar at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. At the European Institute of Oncology, he served as Co-Director of the Division of Medical Oncology until 2014.
Professor Curigliano obtained his medical and specialist degree from the Catholic University in Rome, Italy. He is a specialist in Medical Oncology. He obtained a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Pisa, Italy.
Professor Curigliano served as an expert panel member issuing the AIOM, ESMO, and ASCO guidelines in breast cancer and germline gene testing recommendations. He co-chaired for several years the scientific committee of the St Gallen Early Breast Cancer Conference. He is also a scientific board member of EUSOMA (European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists). He is serving as a member of the Scientific Board of the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG). He is serving on the executive board of the Breast International Group (BIG).
Professor Curigliano is the principal investigator and steering committee member of numerous breast and early development clinical trials, particularly with innovative targeted compounds and individualized treatment strategies. His translational research focusses on the field of biomarkers and personalised therapies, biomarker discovery, development of targeted agents, and implementation of personalised medicine. His team includes 40 people (including medical staff, research nurse, oncology nurse, and medical oncology residents) working on basic sciences, bioinformatics, biotechnologies, and clinical research. He is also leading phase I-III trials testing targeted agents in the field of breast cancer, agnostic and large national trials testing the implementation of high-throughput technologies in the health care system.
He has a strong interest in artificial intelligence and established in the University of Milano the first Master's in Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Medicine.
Bruce Mann
Conference Guest Speaker
Bruce Mann
Conference Guest Speaker
Bruce Mann is Professor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne and Director of the Breast Service at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospitals.
He is also Director of Research at Breast Cancer Trials – Australia and New Zealand’s cooperative breast cancer clinical trials organisation.
His interests relate to systems for optimal breast cancer care and research to improve early diagnosis and tailor the extent of breast cancer treatment to the individual patient.
Sunil Lakhani
Conference Guest Speaker
Sunil Lakhani
Conference Guest Speaker
Professor Sunil Lakhani is a clinical diagnostic and molecular pathologist. He is a Senior Staff Specialist, at Pathology Queensland and a Group Leader, at Molecular Breast Pathology, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
Research interests include lobular carcinoma, triple negative and metaplastic breast cancer, and therapeutic development of brain metastases.
He was the Editor of the WHO 4th and 5th Ed Tumours of the Breast (2012, 2019). He is the recipient of the Distinguished Pathologist Medal, Australasian Division of IAP, and the Distinguished Fellow Award from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. In 2017, he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
He is the current Chair, of the Board of Directors, Breast Cancer Trials (BCT).
Neda Haghighi
Conference Guest Speaker
Neda Haghighi
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Neda Haghighi graduated from the faculty of health sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. After gaining the FRANZCR, she completed an extended fellowship in intra-cranial and extra-cranial Stereotactic Radiotherapy at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
She leads the Victorian Gamma Knife service and the neuro-oncology unit at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and at Icon Cancer Centre in Richmond.
Dr Haghighi is a primary investigator and co-investigator of international and local clinical trials, relating to radiation treatment and radiosurgery for primary and secondary brain tumors.
Dr Haghighi has published several peer-reviewed journal articles in high-impact neuro-oncology journals. She is an active member of the International Society of Radiosurgery (ISRS), the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation (IRRF), Trans Tasmanian Radiation Oncology Group (TROG), and Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (COGNO).
Dr Haghighi chairs the Stereotactic Interest Group of Australasia (SIGA) and is a committee member on CNS disease-specific interest groups. She possesses superior knowledge in the management of tumors of the brain and spine, with special interest in radiosurgery for the treatment of skull base tumors as well as functional neurological disorders.
Jocelyn Lippey
Conference Guest Speaker
Jocelyn Lippey
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Jocelyn Lippey is committed to providing expert, quality, comprehensive, and compassionate care to all her patients. As a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, she is a qualified general surgeon with subspecialty training in breast surgery. She specialises in the care of all breast conditions, including benign breast conditions and breast cancer. She is passionate about patient outcomes and satisfaction and has a strong interest in oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery.
Jocelyn obtained a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Newcastle and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2013. She undertook surgical training at The Austin Hospital, followed by a Fellowship in breast cancer surgery through BreastSurgANZ at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Perth and Fiona Stanley Hospitals.
She is actively involved in medical education and research, currently completing a PhD into improving Breast cancer screening for which she received an NBCF practitioners grant and is the current recipient of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Herbert and Gloria Keys Scholarship. She was the 2015 recipient of the John Collins Medal from the ANZBCTG for young surgical researchers. Her research interests include early breast cancer, risk communication, tailored breast screening and DCIS as well as oncoplastic and reconstructive surgery.
Jocelyn is a board member of BreastScreen Victoria and sits on the Scientific Advisory Committee for Breast Cancer Trials. She is a passionate educator, being the prior coordinator of a unit of study for The University of Sydney’s Masters of Breast Surgery, and is an instructor on two Royal Australasian College of Surgeon courses for junior surgical trainees. She also teaches medical students at St. Vincent’s Clinical School.
She practices at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, BreastScreen Victoria and VBOC.
Rachel Dear
Conference Guest Speaker
Rachel Dear
Conference Guest Speaker
Associate Professor Rachel Dear MBBS (Hons I), PhD, FRACP is a senior staff specialist and medical oncologist at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, where she has been dedicated to the care of breast cancer patients for over a decade.
An Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney, Associate Professor Dear’s research focuses on breast cancer dormancy and plasticity, bone health, and the impact of bone fractures on cancer recurrence. She is deeply committed to advancing patient care and improving quality of life.
In partnership with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, she leads investigator-initiated clinical trials and brings significant expertise as a principal investigator on numerous industry-sponsored studies.
Tadahiko Shien
Conference Guest Speaker
Tadahiko Shien
Conference Guest Speaker
Heath Badger
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Heath Badger
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Heath Badger is the Chief Operating Officer – Research at Breast Cancer Trials (BCT). In this role, he provides senior leadership across BCT’s national and international clinical trials portfolio, with responsibility for research operations, governance, and strategic delivery.
Heath has more than 24 years of experience in clinical trials operations, research governance, and organisational leadership, working closely with investigators, hospitals, cooperative trial groups, government agencies, and international partners to support the conduct of high‑quality, investigator‑initiated research.
Heath has a strong interest in patient‑centred research, cross‑sector collaboration, and the responsible adoption of innovation to strengthen the design, delivery, and impact of clinical trials.
Julia Dixon-Douglas
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Julia Dixon-Douglas
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Dr Julia-Dixon Douglas is a Medical Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, working within the breast cancer unit.
Julia is also a clinical fellow with Breast Cancer Trials, and is currently undertaking a fellowship project titled: UNRAVEL-TNBC - Uncovering Regulators of Response and Resistance to Immunotherapy in Early-Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
The overall aim is to identify potential biomarkers to individually tailor neoadjuvant immunotherapy in early-stage TNBC. The specific aims to be investigated separately for each cohort are to:
- Investigate baseline characteristics of the tumour-immune micro-environment (TME) associated with pCR and recurrence-free survival.
- Investigate baseline composition of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood associated with pCR and survival.
- Investigate on-treatment dynamics in peripheral immunity and tumour immune microenvironment associated with pCR and recurrence-free survival.
- Correlate features of peripheral immunity with features of the tumour-microenvironment associated with response.
Isobel Stoodley
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Isobel Stoodley
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Dr Isobel Stoodley is a Clinical Research Associate II at Breast Cancer Trials, working in the Data Management Stream. Isobel has an undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, and completed her PhD at the University of Newcastle in 2022.
With over 9 years of experience in research and clinical trials, Isobel’s expertise focuses on database design, data cleaning, and preparing datasets for export and analysis.
Isobel is passionate about improving the quality of life and outcomes for people affected by breast cancer.
Christina Jang
T&EC Day Speaker
Christina Jang
T&EC Day Speaker
Dr Jang achieved her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at Melbourne’s Monash University in 1994. She was awarded her Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2003, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Melbourne University in 2008.
Her experience is very broad. She completed her undergraduate training in endocrinology at Jean Hailes Foundation, Monash Medical Centre and St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. She worked as a consultant endocrinologist at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne and an honorary lecturer at the University of Melbourne before moving to Brisbane in 2011.
Aside from working in private practice, other current appointments include Senior Medical Staff in the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Mater Hospital, Visiting Medical Officer at the Greenslopes Private Hospital, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland. She is currently President-Elect of the Australasian Menopause Society.
Sara Hurvitz
International Guest Speaker
Sara Hurvitz
International Guest Speaker
Sara A Hurvitz, MD, is Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, where she serves as Division Head of Hematology/Oncology and Professor of Medicine at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center where she serves as Senior Vice President of the Clinical Research Division and is the Smith Family Endowed Chair in Women’s Health.
Dr Hurvitz earned her MD from the University of Southern California. She completed an internship/residency at UCLA, was Chief Resident of internal medicine, and completed a hematology-oncology fellowship at UCLA in 2006.
Dr Hurvitz led the breast cancer clinical trials program at UCLA for 17 years and was Medical Director of the Clinical Research Unit of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center until 2023, when she accepted a leadership position at UW/FHCC.
Dr Hurvitz has won numerous awards over the past few years, among them the Marni Levine Memorial Breast Cancer Research Award 2008 through 2015 and the European Society of Medical Oncology Breast Cancer Award in 2023.
She has an active clinical practice specialising in the treatment of women with breast cancer. She is involved in designing, implementing and leading multiple national and international clinical trials testing new targeted therapies.
Suzanne Frank
International Guest Speaker
Suzanne Frank
International Guest Speaker
Dr Suzanne Frank is a qualified pharmacist (since 2002) and has worked as a rotational basic grade pharmacist at The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, gaining experience in a number of specialities. In 2006, she specialised as an oncology pharmacist.
In 2008, Suzanne joined The Christie NHS Foundation Trust as an Advanced Specialist Breast Cancer Pharmacist, where she qualified as an independent Non-Medical Prescriber. She works in an outpatient clinic setting alongside medical oncology consultants, prescribing systemic anti-cancer treatment and supportive care for patients with early and secondary breast cancer. She is in the process of credentialing as a Consultant Pharmacist.
Suzanne is a member of the Greater Manchester Cancer Breast Pathway Board and is passionate about improving patient pathways and access to breast cancer treatment across the region.
Suzanne’s research interests include assimilating real-world evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of systemic anticancer treatments and analysis of treatment pathways and patient experience to inform future service developments.
Haryana Dhillon
Conference Guest Speaker
Haryana Dhillon
Conference Guest Speaker
Professor Haryana Dhillon is a Professor in Psycho-Oncology and Chair and Executive Director of the Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group. They co-led the Co.21 CHALLENGE Trial In Australia.
Haryana has more than 30 years experience in cancer clinical research and is passionate about rigor in research, practical solutions to tricky problems, and doing what they can to help humans make it to the 22nd century.
Amy McCart Reed
Conference Guest Speaker
Amy McCart Reed
Conference Guest Speaker
Associate Professor Amy McCart Reed holds a PhD in molecular biology from The University of Queensland. She is a Fellow of the Faculty of Science of the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia.
Her early postdoctoral work focused on understanding the genetic basis of colorectal cancer using experimental disease models, as part of a Cancer Research UK-funded colorectal cancer program led by Professors Ian Tomlinson and Andrew Silver.
After returning to Australia, she was recruited to the Molecular Breast Pathology group at UQ’s Centre for Clinical Research and has undertaken a series of studies investigating the genomic landscape of breast cancer special types.
Amy's research program includes studies on Metaplastic breast cancer and Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, two breast cancer special types in need of targetted therapy options.
Associate Professor McCart Reed is the scientific lead on an MRFF-funded genomics program investigating the potential for the application of Whole Genome Sequencing in the breast cancer care pathway in Australia, 'Q-IMPROvE'. She applies genomics and spatial transcriptomics methodologies to archival clinical samples to understand the differences between tumour types and their potential for treatment. Amy is passionate about clinical research, biobanking and precision oncology.
In addition to her breast cancer research portfolio, she is on the steering committee for the Brisbane Breast Bank and the Scientific Advisory Board for Breast Cancer Trials.
Nicola Lowrey
Conference Guest Speaker
Nicola Lowrey
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Nicola Lowrey is a Radiation Oncologist offering treatment to Mater Private Hospital Brisbane and Mater Hospital Brisbane patients at Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace (ROPART), located on Mater’s South Brisbane campus, Mater Hill.
Dr Lowrey completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at The University of Queensland.
Prior to this, she worked as a Radiographer after completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Imaging Technology at the Queensland University of Technology.
Following radiation oncology training in tertiary hospitals across Brisbane, Dr Lowrey was awarded a fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR).
She is also a member of the RANZCR Breast Cancer Special Interest Group.
Dr Lowrey gained specialty experience managing breast cancer, while investigating the use of advanced technologies in breast radiation planning during a 12-month clinical research fellowship with the University of Toronto and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada — the largest cancer care centre in Canada and one of the five largest in the world.
She is an Associate Lecturer with the University of Queensland and is involved in the national accreditation of Radiation Oncology training sites around Australia.
She is dedicated to patient-centred, equitable care for all, while promoting the use of advanced technologies to improve outcomes for patients.
Peter Croucher
Conference Guest Speaker
Peter Croucher
Conference Guest Speaker
Peter Croucher is a cancer researcher and skeletal biologist. Peter undertook training at the University of Wales College of Medicine and did post-doctoral fellowships in the Department of Medicine in Cambridge and Clinical Biochemistry in Sheffield in the UK.
In 2001 he moved to the Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences at Oxford University before returning to Sheffield University in 2003 to become Professor of Bone Biology. In 2011 Peter joined the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney where he is now Director of the Cancer Plasticity and Dormancy Program.
Peter is a leading international authority on cancer cell dormancy and mechanisms of cancer-associated bone disease.
Peter’s has long-standing interests in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control the skeleton and how cancers develop in bone. He has a particular interest in tumors that metastasize to bone, including breast and prostate cancer, and the blood cancer multiple myeloma.
His research has led to bone-targeted therapies being adopted in clinical practice globally, including zoledronic acid and anti-RANKL therapies. Peter’s current focus is on identifying the seeds of cancer relapse in the skeleton, understanding what controls these rare, disseminated cells, the role they play in disease relapse and developing approaches to stopping relapse before it happens.
Peter also has an interest in developing the next generation of bone-targeted treatments for cancers that grow in the skeleton, bone anabolic therapies.
Belinda Yeo
Conference Guest Speaker
Belinda Yeo
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Belinda Yeo is jointly appointed to the Austin Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, as a Medical Oncologist and to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute as a Clinician Scientist with a specific interest in breast cancer.
She trained in Sydney before joining the Breast Unit at The Royal Marsden Hospital, London as a Clinical and Research Fellow. She completed a Master’s Degree at The University of London and The Institute of Cancer Research in novel genomic and non-molecular breast cancer risk assays.
She is co-lead of the VCCC Research and Education of the Breast Tumour Stream, she is a clinical trial investigator and continues her translational research investigating improving personalisation and minimising toxicities for patients with breast cancer.
Emma-Kate Carson
Conference Guest Speaker
Emma-Kate Carson
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Emma-Kate Carson is a Medical Oncologist with special interests in breast cancer, skin cancer, cancer survivorship, supportive care and clinical trials.
Dr Carson completed her medical degree at Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland and is currently doing a PhD at The University of Sydney, researching sleep disturbance in people with breast cancer. She completed her oncology training at Liverpool Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital.
She is an active member of the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Meeting at Campbelltown Hospital. She is a member of Breast Cancer Trials Group and is passionate about providing evidence-based care to her patients.
She has a keen interest in teaching, completing a Clinical Teaching Fellowship Program at The University of Sydney, and is a Clinical Lecturer at The University of Sydney and conjoint lecturer at Western Sydney University.
Eloise Jones
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Eloise Jones
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Eloise Jones is a Clinical Research Associate with the Data Management team at Breast Cancer Trials (BCT).
She holds a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Medicinal Chemistry, and recently completed a Master of Pharmaceutical Industry Practice at the University of Queensland. During her master’s program, Eloise undertook a placement with BCT before officially joining the team at the end of 2025.
As a newcomer to the clinical trials field, she is enthusiastic about expanding her experience, contributing to high‑quality research and deepening her understanding of breast cancer clinical trials.
Angela Allen
T&EC Day Speaker
Angela Allen
T&EC Day Speaker
Dr Angela Allen is an energetic, well-respected radiation oncologist, bringing a compassionate and patient-centred approach to her practice. She endeavours to deliver her patients the best possible outcome and is supportive throughout all stages of their cancer treatment. Angela prides herself on building strong and lasting relationships with her patients by focusing on engaging in clear, open communication and listening to their concerns.
Dr Angela Allen is a consultant radiation oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre Springfield, Icon Cancer Centre Ipswich and Icon Cancer Centre Auchenflower.
Dr Allen graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2002. She completed her medical degree with honours at The University of Queensland in 2006. She undertook specialist training in radiation oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Victoria and was awarded a fellowship to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR) in 2014.
She worked as a radiation oncologist at the Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, New Zealand, where she was actively involved in the teaching and mentoring of trainees in her role as Director of Training. As the clinical lead for the breast working group, she gained experience in advanced radiotherapy techniques for breast cancer, including deep inspiration breath hold.
Dr Allen is a passionate patient advocate and is a member of the Media and Profile Committee for RANZCR, which promotes the Targeting Cancer campaign, an Australian and New Zealand initiative aimed at raising awareness and improving access to radiation therapy.
Dr Allen believes in a patient-centred approach and is passionate about improving a patient’s experience during cancer treatment. She has been a consultant for Icon Cancer Centre Springfield since August 2016. Dr Allen has a wide scope of practice with special interests in breast, lung, prostate, skin and haematological malignancies.
Sam Vigours
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
Sam Vigours
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
Dr Vigours is a medical advisor and senior research fellow with the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) at the University of Technology Sydney.
He has extensive experience providing in-depth analyses and advice on evaluations for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), and Singapore’s Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE).
He also has a comprehensive understanding of the evaluation of clinical trial design, and how research outputs may be communicated to stakeholders and applied to the Australian population, with a unique perspective on how doctors, nursing staff, administration and policymakers may be aligned to produce optimum patient care and translate medical research into real-world outcomes.
Dr Vigours also reviews clinical trial designs for the Cancer Australia Cancer Research Economics Support Team (CREST), and authored a range of reviews for the PBAC, including the Review of the Discount Rate, and authored the topics on pharmaceutical price negotiations and funding decision-making in the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review.
Dr Vigours is a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Activity Grant Assessment Committee member, where he reviews applications for National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding.
Dr Vigours is also an active researcher in climate change and healthcare, currently working on a project partnered with NSW Health investigating clinical care processes that mitigate environmental damage, and is the chief investigator in a funded project aiming to assuage extreme heat-related injuries in older Australians.
Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell
Conference Guest Speaker
Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell is a Senior Lecturer and Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Research Fellow within the School of Psychology. She is dedicated to developing and conducting clinically relevant and impactful research which improves the clinical care and psychosocial well-being of individuals living with chronic physical and/or mental health conditions, and their family carers. She has over 15 years' experience in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research in the healthcare setting. Since 2012, Rebekah has published more than 50 articles in international scientific journals and has been a Chief Investigator on grants totalling over $2.5 million in research funding.
Dr Laidsaar-Powell is internationally recognised for her research in the involvement of carers in the medical system and developed the first published clinical strategies for health professionals to manage and enhance communication with carers in oncology. She has lived experience as a family carer, and a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of supporting a loved one with a chronic illness.
Rebekah is also an experienced and dedicated educator within the School of Psychology, as a Unit of Study Coordinator and Lecturer across the areas of health psychology and mental health conditions. In addition, she feels fortunate to educate and mentor the next generation of researchers as an Honours, Masters, and PhD student supervisor.
Nadia Harbeck
International Guest Speaker
Nadia Harbeck
International Guest Speaker
Nadia Harbeck, MD, PhD, is Director of the Breast Center, the Center for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, and holds the chair for Conservative Oncology at the Department of OB&GYN, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany. She obtained her specialist degree (OB&GYN) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and her medical degree from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich (LMU).
Professor Harbeck is the current chair of the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) Early Breast Cancer Faculty; she served as ESMO Director of Education and member of the ESMO Executive Board (2023-2025) as well as Subject Editor of the ESMO Breast Cancer Guidelines (2022-2025). She was a member of the ASCO Annual Meeting Educational Committee (2022-2025). She is a member of the expert panel issuing the German AGO recommendations for breast cancer therapy (www.ago-online.de). She is co-director of the West German Study Group (www.wsg-online.com). From 2009-2015, she served on the EORTC Executive Board as chair of the Translational Research Division. Professor Harbeck is a principal investigator or steering committee member of numerous breast cancer trials, particularly with novel targeted compounds and individualized treatment strategies. She has a strong interest in eHealth and is a co-developer of CANKADO, an international digital patient diary (www.cankado.com).
Professor Harbeck is one of the most frequently cited clinical researchers worldwide (Highly Cited Researcher 2021-2024). She has authored more than 780 papers in peer-reviewed journals (h-index 103) and is coordinating editor-in-chief of Breast Care (Karger Publishers). She co-directed the annual ESMO AACR EORTC Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop (MCCR) from 20218-2019 and 2022-2024 and is a panel member of several international breast cancer consensus conferences.
In 2025, Prof. Harbeck received the Bavarian Order of Merit from the Governor of Bavaria, Germany. She is an Adjunct Professor of the University of Vienna, Austria, and a recipient of the 2023 German Cancer Award and the 2020 ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award. She received several additional recognitions of her clinical and translational research, such as the 2021 UPO Award for Women in Academy and Research, the 2015 Bavarian Cancer Patient Award, the 2012 Claudia von Schilling Award, the 2008 EBCC Award, the 2002 AGO Schmidt-Matthiesen Award, a 2001 AACR Award, and the 2001 ASCO Fellowship Merit Award for the highest ranking abstract.
Chihwan David Cha
International Guest Speaker
Chihwan David Cha
International Guest Speaker
Dr Chihwan David Cha is a breast surgeon and clinician scientist at Hanyang University Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, with specialised expertise in hereditary breast cancer, male breast cancer, and translational research integrating multi-omics data.
He is an active member of the Korean Breast Cancer Study Group (KBCSG) and plays a leading role in the international collaborative research initiatives, including the Oceania-Asia Collaboration Study (OASIS) project.
Dr Cha is a co-principal investigator of the male breast cancer study within the OASIS, which is dedicated to advancing the understanding of male breast cancer in Asian populations.
Through this initiative, he contributes to multinational cohort analyses aimed at elucidating clinicopathologic features, treatment patterns, and long-term survival outcomes across diverse populations.
In parallel, he is a key investigator in the Korea Robot-endoscopic minimal access Breast Surgery Study Group (KoREa-BSG)–led BRCA carrier cohort study, a large-scale, multicenter research program focusing on long-term oncologic outcomes and contralateral breast cancer risk in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations. His research interests include recurrence patterns and long-term surgical outcomes, with the goal of refining risk stratification for BRCA mutation carriers.
In the translational research domain, his work integrates multi-omics approaches with spatial transcriptomic analyses, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer and male breast cancer, to investigate tumor heterogeneity and immune microenvironmental features. He also serves as Executive Secretary of the Surgical Procedure and Technique Committee of the Korean Breast Cancer Society.
In recognition of his research contributions, Dr Cha received the Academic Achievement Award at the Global Breast Cancer Conference (GBCC) in 2025 and was selected for the 2026-2027 ASCO International Clinical Research Scholars Program.
Nick Zdenkowski
Conference Guest Speaker
Nick Zdenkowski
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Zdenkowski is a Medical Oncologist and Medical Advisor with Breast Cancer Trials.
He is the Chair of the BCT Scientific Advisory Committee and sits on the international PALLAS trial Steering Committee. He works on a broad range of breast cancer research, including shared decision-making, clinical trials, and patient-reported outcomes, particularly around neoadjuvant systemic therapy.
His PhD project resulted in the development of a decision aid for patients considering neoadjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer. He has published widely, from patient-reported outcomes, and systematic reviews through to clinical trial outcomes. His clinical practice is at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital and Maitland Private Hospital in the Hunter Region in NSW Australia.
Shom Goel
Conference Guest Speaker
Shom Goel
Conference Guest Speaker
Associate Professor Goel is a Clinician-Scientist at the University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Having spent ten years in Boston, where he completed his doctoral and postdoctoral research, Associate Professor Goel returned to Australia in 2019.
In addition to maintaining a clinical practice as an oncologist, he also leads a research group positioned at the intersection of cell cycle biology, epigenetics, and tumour immunology in breast cancer.
They have developed several new transgenic mouse models of breast cancer, which have proven valuable for uncovering new mechanisms of drug activity and resistance, and their work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature, Cancer Cell, and Nature Cancer.
He serves as either Global PI or Translational PI for four randomised clinical trials in breast cancer and was appointed Chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Education Committee (2023).
Associate Professor Goel is also a recent awardee of a prestigious Snow Fellowship, which will accelerate his laboratory’s work from 2022 – 2030.
Elisabeth Elder
Conference Guest Speaker
Elisabeth Elder
Conference Guest Speaker
Professor Elisabeth Elder graduated from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 1992. She then completed her general surgical training together with a PhD in tumour biology in 2002.
After migrating to Australia, she specialised in breast cancer surgery at Concord Hospital, the Royal Hospital for Women and Royal North Shore Hospital. She completed her Australian surgical fellowship (FRACS) before taking up a staff specialist position in the Breast Cancer Institute at Westmead Hospital. Elisabeth returned to the Karolinska Hospital during 2009 to develop skills in oncoplastic breast surgery techniques.
Elisabeth is a Clinical Professor at University of Sydney and head of research at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute. She is involved in numerous research projects and clinical trials as well as teaching of medical students and trainees.
Elisabeth is President of the Australasian Society of Breast Disease (ASBD) and one of the clinical leads to the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR). She is also an active member of Breast Surgeons in Australia and New Zealand (BreastSurgANZ) and previous chair of the oncoplastic committee. She is a former council member of Breast Surgeons International and on the editorial board of World Journal of Surgery.
Carolyn Nickson
Conference Guest Speaker
Carolyn Nickson
Conference Guest Speaker
Associate Professor Carolyn Nickson is a cancer epidemiologist recognised for her expertise in cancer control policy and evaluation.
She heads the Breast Cancer research program at the Cancer Elimination Collaboration at the University of Sydney, with honorary roles at the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health.
Her multidisciplinary research program includes epidemiological studies, clinical and cost-effectiveness modelling, policy analysis, qualitative research and stakeholder engagement.
Belinda Kiely
Conference Guest Speaker
Belinda Kiely
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Kiely specialises in the treatment of people with breast cancer and is interested in clinical research to improve the symptoms and side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.
Dr Kiely is a medical oncologist with over 15 years of clinical experience. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, with clinical appointments at Campbelltown Hospital and Concord Hospital in Sydney.
Dr Kiely completed a fellowship in breast cancer and cancer genetics at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and a PhD at the University of Sydney. Her thesis was titled, “Estimating and communicating prognosis in advanced cancer”.
Dr Kiely specialises in the treatment of people with breast cancer and is interested in clinical research to improve the symptoms and side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. She supervises PhD students and is a supervisor and mentor for medical oncology trainees and medical students.
Dr Kiely was a member of the Advanced Breast Cancer International Consensus panel in 2019 and 2023 to develop the guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer.
Eileen Geoghegan
Conference Guest Speaker
Eileen Geoghegan
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Geoghegan is a Breast Translational Research Fellow at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
She completed her specialist training in Medical Oncology through the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and has a strong interest in translational breast cancer research, with a focus on improving outcomes through innovative clinical and laboratory-based research.
Jessica Roydhouse
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Jessica Roydhouse
TC Forum Guest Speaker
Dr Jessica Roydhouse is a Senior Research Fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research and the Academic Lead for the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry - Tasmania.
Her research focuses on patient-reported outcomes, proxy reporting, cancer clinical trials and treatment tolerability.
Jessica is the Editor-in-Chief of Quality of Life Research and the Chair of the International Society of Quality of Life Research Australia and New Zealand Special Interest Group. Formerly, Jessica was an Associate Editor for the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, and she was a member of the GP5 Working Group of the US National Cancer Institute Cancer Treatment Tolerability Consortium as well as a Chair of the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Patient-Centered Special Interest Group.
Jessica is the recipient of the International Society of Quality of Life Research Donna Lamping Emerging Leader Award (2021) and the ISPOR Bernie O'Brien New Investigator Award (2023).
Annabel Goodwin
T&EC Day Speaker
Annabel Goodwin
T&EC Day Speaker
Associate Professor Annabel Goodwin is a senior Staff Specialist working at Concord Repatriation General Hospital as a medical oncologist specialising in breast cancer and Head of Cancer Genetics across the Sydney Local Health District.
She is committed to improving the care of women with heritable causes for breast cancer with precision medicine, supporting clinical trials of personalised therapy for women with heritable predispositions to breast cancer and she serves as an investigator for breast cancer prevention trials, adjuvant therapy trials and metastatic breast cancer trials.
Catherine Shannon
T&EC Day Speaker
Catherine Shannon
T&EC Day Speaker
Dr Catherine Shannon is a Senior Medical Oncologist at Mater Cancer Care Centre, a member of Mater Research's Clinical Research group and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland. She is the principal or co-investigator on a number of phase I, II and III clinical trials in breast, gynaecological and lung cancer. She is currently on the Executive Committee of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia and the medical oncology consultant for the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre.
Dr Shannon completed a fellowship with the Breast Cancer Unit of the Royal Marsden Hospital, where she researched pre-operative endocrine therapy of breast cancer and the use of biological markers as predictors of response to treatment. She obtained extensive experience in phase I and II trials of novel agents for metastatic breast cancer. Her research publications include the molecular genetics of synchronous gynaecological tumours and neoadjuvant therapies for breast cancer. Dr Shannon chaired the committee in writing endocrine therapy guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer.
Dr Shannon has a special interest in the management of breast cancer in young women and pregnant women and has published in this field.
Dr Shannon practices at Mater Cancer Care Centre in South Brisbane.
Julia White
International Guest Speaker
Julia White
International Guest Speaker
Julia White, MD, FACR, FASTRO is a Tenured Professor of Radiation Oncology, Vice Chair of Clinical Operations, Hall Family Foundation Endowed Professor of Clinical Science, in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University.
She is internationally recognized for her expertise in the local regional management of Breast Cancer and has a clinical practice dedicated to breast cancer management.
Her research focus is in the development, execution, analysis, and oversight of clinical trials for local regional management of breast cancer. She serves as Co-Chair of the Breast Cancer Committee for NRG Oncology, chaired the legacy Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Breast Cancer Committee, and has served as a member of the NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee.
Dr White has led numerous clinical trials addressing local regional management of breast cancer that have significantly impacted standards of care. She is extensively published and a frequently invited speaker nationally and internationally.
Marina Reeves
Conference Guest Speaker
Marina Reeves
Conference Guest Speaker
Professor Marina Reeves joins the Queensland University of Technology from the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland, where she is a Professor and Deputy Associate Dean Research (Researcher Development) in the Faculty of Medicine. An experienced academic leader, Marina is also an Advanced Accredited Practicing Dietitian and in 2021 was awarded the Dietitians Australia Barbara Chester Award for her leadership in dietetics in Queensland.
Her program of research is focused on the role of diet, physical activity, and weight/body composition in improving outcomes and quality of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Marina and her team have recently been awarded a $2M MRFF Rare Cancers Rare Diseases and Unmet Need grant to conduct a Queensland-wide phase III trial of an exercise and dietary intervention to improve the quality of life of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (2022-2027). Marina completed her PhD at QUT and she is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Gillian Lamoury
Conference Guest Speaker
Gillian Lamoury
Conference Guest Speaker
Associate Professor Gillian Lamoury is a Senior Staff Specialist, Radiation Oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital, a VMO at Mater, North Sydney, and regionally in Western NSW, with a subspecialty interest in the treatment of breast cancer.
Gillian is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. She is the Principal Investigator on several international, national, and investigator-led trials.
She is passionate about patient-centred, evidence-based care, including the delivery of high-quality treatments through advanced radiation therapy techniques for breast cancer.
Her philanthropic interests and passion for equitable access to high-quality cancer treatments led her to accept a Board position on the GenesisCare Foundation in 2020.
In 2025, she was appointed to the Board of Pratham Australia, a volunteer run, non-profit, charitable organisation whose vision is to end the cycle of poverty in India by providing access to education.
Gillian advocates for better patient care through her work with several important strategic groups. She was the inaugural Chair of the Breast Interest Group - Faculty of Radiation Oncology (BIG-FRO), which aims to promote best practice for breast cancer management, and to enhance the profile of radiation oncology for treating breast cancer. She is the recent past Chair of the Breast Cancer Advisory Group (Cancer Australia 2018 -2020) and is a member of the Clinical Advisory Group for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
Josh Wiley
Conference Guest Speaker
Josh Wiley
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Joshua Wiley is a behavioural medicine researcher with a focus on understanding and improving sleep and mental health, particularly in people after a cancer diagnosis.
Dr Wiley is currently appointed as a senior research fellow (equivalent to Asst. Professor) at Monash University in the School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health (2016-present).
He studied health psychology and behavioural medicine, completing his PhD at the University of California at Los Angeles in 2015.
Subsequently, he trained in pragmatic randomised controlled trials (RCTs) through post doctoral with a primary care and prevention group.
Roslyn Francis
Conference Guest Speaker
Roslyn Francis
Conference Guest Speaker
Professor Francis is an academic Nuclear Medicine specialist who has established an innovative and highly collaborative research career focused on clinical trials, novel radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and therapy, and innovative approaches for quantitative imaging.
Her expertise spans diverse fields, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, and inflammatory diseases, with a focus on research translation. Roslyn is passionate about nuclear medicine clinical trials and has been integral in the establishment of the Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials Network (ARTnet), for which she has been Scientific Chair since 2014.
Roslyn relocated to Brisbane in 2024 from Western Australia and is enjoying new opportunities in Queensland’s vibrant and innovative biodiscovery ecosystem. As Director of Herston Imaging Research Facility and Senior Group Leader AIBN, Ros aims to lead translational research to improve outcomes for patients.
Michael Wagels
Conference Guest Speaker
Michael Wagels
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Michael Wagels is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon known for his commitment to innovation, research, and complex surgical care. He operates at the Mater Private Hospital, Mackay.
Dr Wagels completed his surgical training in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth, and was awarded Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2012. He holds a PhD from The University of Queensland, where his research into auto-transplanted muscle - aimed at preventing late surgical failures - continues to inform reconstructive practice today.
In 2014, he undertook a Fellowship in Hand Surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, enhancing his expertise in microsurgery and upper limb reconstruction.
A leader in surgical innovation, Dr Wagels founded the Skin Lesion Assessment and Management (SLAM) model of care, which enables same-day assessment and surgical treatment of skin lesions across multiple Queensland Health services. He also established the Australian Centre for Complex Integrated Surgical Solutions and serves as Clinical Director of the Herston Biofabrication Institute—Australia’s first public health initiative dedicated to point-of-care medical device manufacturing and bio fabrication research.
Dr Wagels is a passionate educator and researcher. He has supervised 12 postgraduate research candidates and overseen more than 40 minor research projects. He also holds an academic appointment as Senior Lecturer at The University of Queensland.
Gelareh Farshid
Conference Guest Speaker
Gelareh Farshid
Conference Guest Speaker
Professor Gelareh Farshid is an international expert in breast and soft tissue pathology with substantial experience in population based screening for breast cancer.
She is a senior Consultant Pathologist SA Pathology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Clinical Professor, Schools of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide and member of the PathWest Board of Directors. She is the Treasurer for the Australasian IAP. Among other roles, Gelareh is a member of the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting – Lymph Node and Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer committee.
She chairs the RCPA’s multidisciplinary expert groups involved with Structured Reporting of Breast Cancer and for Australia’s HER2 testing program. Gelareh contributes to BreastScreen Australia’s Quality Management and Clinical Advisory committees, which are charged with accreditation and national policy initiatives for the Program.
Gelareh appreciates combining full time clinical responsibilities with applied clinical research. In particular, she enjoys engaging with colleagues from various disciplines in innovative projects, aiming to improve healthcare.
Chu Nguyen
Conference Guest Speaker
Chu Nguyen
Conference Guest Speaker
Dr Chu Nguyen is a General Surgeon (FRACS), Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, and PhD graduate with a strong interest in clinical innovation and translational research.
His work focuses on improving outcomes for patients with breast cancer through the integration of novel surgical techniques, advanced imaging technologies, and artificial intelligence.
Dr Nguyen's research interests include the clinical applications of indocyanine green (ICG) in breast cancer and reconstructive surgery, prophylactic lymphaticovenous bypass during axillary lymph node dissection to reduce the risk of lymphoedema, and the development of AI-driven decision support tools.
He is also interested in leveraging AI-powered data automation and workflow optimisation to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.
Fran Boyle
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
Fran Boyle
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
Professor Fran Boyle is a highly experienced medical oncologist who specialises in the areas of breast cancer and melanoma. She is passionate about making advances in this field, and her practice focuses on researching new treatments as well as developing care and communication.
Prof Fran Boyle is a medical oncologist at North Sydney’s Mater Hospital, where she is Director of the Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care and Research. She is also a professor at the University of Sydney, where she is heavily involved in structuring the medical oncology teaching program.
For over 20 years, Fran has been involved in setting up clinical trials, supportive care, and psychosocial research in breast cancer. She has previously chaired the Board of Breast Cancer Trials, and contributes to clinical trial development nationally and internationally through Breast Cancer Trials and the International Breast Cancer Study Group.
Fran’s dedication to improving the understanding of metastatic disease, improving access to new therapies, and involving breast care nurses in cancer care, led to her founding Australia’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance.
In 2008, Fran was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia for her contributions to breast cancer research, education, policy, and advocacy.
Naveena Nekkalapudi
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
Naveena Nekkalapudi
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
Ms Naveena Nekkalapudi is a member of the Breast Cancer Trials Consumer Advisory Panel and was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer on Christmas Eve in 2014.
Naveena has experienced both short and long-term side effects from breast cancer treatment, including nerve damage, chronic pain, cognitive impairment, the inability to work, and a weakened immune system, which led to further complications and hospitalisation.
James Stephenson
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
James Stephenson
T&EC Day Guest Speaker
Dr James Stephenson is a Gold Coast General Surgeon who has completed Specialist Post-Fellowship training in Endocrine and Breast Cancer Surgery.
James studied Medicine at the University of Queensland subsequently completed General Surgery Training in hospitals throughout South East Queensland and Darwin.
After achieving his FRACS in General Surgery, James undertook sub-specialty post-fellowship training in Breast & Endocrine Surgery at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane (2021) and, as part of BreastSurg ANZ Post-Fellowship Training, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide (2022) and Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth (2023). He undertook a Fellowship in Endocrine Surgery at Fiona Stanley Hospital in 2024.
Aside from his interest in Breast and Endocrine Surgery, James has a strong commitment to maintaining skills in acute General Surgery and teaching medical students and junior doctors.