World Cancer Day:
Meet Cure Cancer's
2025 researchers

By The Cure Cancer Team | 4 February 2025

Meet Cure Cancer's 2025 researchers: Dr Aparna Rao, Dr Luis Lara Gonzalez, Dr Robert Ju, Dr Sarah Diepstraten, A/Prof Arutha Kulasinghe, Dr Zhian Chen, Dr Ben Wylie, Dr Kevin Fenix, Dr Kellie Mouchemore, A/Prof Orazio Vittorio.

Cure Cancer is proud to announce the researchers we are funding in 2025 (left to right, starting with the top row): Dr Zhian Chen, Dr Aparna Rao, Dr Robert Ju, A/Prof Orazio Vittorio, Dr Kevin Fenix, Dr Sarah Diepstraten, A/Prof Arutha Kulasinghe, Dr Kellie Mouchemore, Dr Ben Wylie, Dr Luis Lara Gonzalez. 

On this World Cancer Day, Cure Cancer is proud to announce funding for 11 innovative research projects that place patients at the centre of cancer care. In alignment with this year’s theme 'United by Unique', Cure Cancer celebrates the power of unity in advancing solutions for all cancers while recognising the unique needs of individuals impacted by the disease. 

Nikki Kinloch, CEO of Cure Cancer, says, “Cancer affects over 145,000 Australians every year, but behind every statistic is a unique story, a person who deserves care, hope, and innovative solutions. That’s why we continue to invest in emerging researchers—scientists with bold ideas who can transform the future of cancer care.”  

Cure Cancer CEO Nikki Kinloch and A/Prof Orazio Vittorio standing together in a cancer research lab.

Cure Cancer CEO Nikki Kinloch and A/Prof Orazio Vittorio, who has been awarded two grants this year. Image: Cure Cancer

For over 50 years, Australian cancer research has delivered life-changing breakthroughs, including improved survival rates and innovations like the Gardasil vaccine. These achievements underscore the critical need to empower emerging researchers who are exploring bold, new avenues for progress.  

A/Prof Fernando Guimaraes, Chair of Cure Cancer’s Research Committee, sits at his desk in his lab and turns to smile at the camera.

A/Prof Fernando Guimaraes, a Cure Cancer alumnus, is Chair of Cure Cancer's Research Committee. Image: Supplied

A/Prof Fernando Guimaraes, Chair of Cure Cancer’s Research Committee, adds, “Emerging researchers bring fresh perspectives, and the creativity needed to tackle cancer in all its complexity. By providing them with early support, we are working together to advance global efforts in cancer care while respecting the unique challenges faced by individuals.”  

Cure Cancer has funded over 560 research projects to date. This year’s funding will support 11 cutting-edge projects tackling diverse cancer types, from lung, blood, bowel and breast cancers, to neuroblastoma, sarcoma and melanoma:

Lung cancer

Dr Zhian (Anthony) Chen, The University of Queensland:

Engineering next-generation immunotherapies for lung cancer patients
A/Prof Arutha Kulasinghe, The University of Queensland:

Using advanced mapping technologies to improve immunotherapy for lung cancer

Blood cancer

Dr Sarah Diepstraten, WEHI:

Fighting aggressive blood cancer: A STING operation

Bowel cancer

Dr Kevin Fenix, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The University of Adelaide:

Utilising cutting-edge technologies to test the effectiveness of a new type of immunotherapy for metastatic bowel cancer 

Breast cancer

Dr Luis Lara Gonzalez, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and University of Melbourne:

Understanding deadly HER2-positive breast cancer through detailed genetic analysis
Dr Kellie Mouchemore, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, La Trobe University:

Mapping the tumour landscape to develop novel treatments and improve immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer

Metastatic cancers

Dr Robert Ju, The University of Queensland:

Harnessing the immune system to target and destroy metastatic cancer cells

Melanoma

Dr Aparna Rao, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne:

Unlocking the secrets of melanoma’s energy use to improve treatment and outcomes

Childhood cancer


Reprogramming immune cells to improve immunotherapy and overcome neuroblastoma’s defences
 

Clinical trial: Enhancing anti-neuroblastoma immunotherapy response with copper chelators
Dr Ben Wylie, The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia:

Developing novel immunotherapies to prevent the recurrence of sarcoma after cancer removal surgery

Why support emerging cancer researchers?

Emerging researchers often spearhead the groundbreaking ideas that lead to transformative cancer care. However, they face unique challenges, including limited funding and job security. By supporting these brilliant minds, Cure Cancer enables them to pursue bold solutions for every cancer type, ensuring that individuals affected by cancer receive the care they need.  

On this World Cancer Day, Cure Cancer reaffirms its commitment to uniting people, researchers, and resources to create a world where everyone has access to better cancer care.