Medical Research

Associate Professor Thomas Jobling

As head of Gynaecological Oncology at Monash Medical Centre, Associate Professor Jobling has recently set up the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation in conjunction with Prince Henry's Institute for Medical Research. He was driven by two things in his quest to create the Foundation - his fascination with the biology of the cancer, and his work as a surgeon, where he faces the relentless task of treating women with the disease.

He hopes that by bringing together research scientists and surgeons dealing with the disease, the work being done by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation will result in a screening test for early detection, and for those with the disease, complete remission.

Describing the unit, Dr Jobling explains, "The Gynaecological Oncology Unit is based at Moorabbin in Victoria. It embraces the philosophy of a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer medicine, involving consultation and management in close operation with medical oncology, radiation oncology and gynaecological cancer surgery.

"Our weekly clinic and Tumour Board meetings involve attendance by, and consultation with, radiation oncologists from Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute. We have evolved a close sense of common cause over a number of years, and firmly believe that this is in the best interests of our patients. The main thrust of our research aim is in conjunction with Prince Henry's Medical Research Institute, as it has a full-time Director and we have a well established ongoing ovarian cancer study group. There are a number of collaborative trials underway involving our colleagues at Peter MacCallum, as well as other groups."

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Dr Andrew Stephens

Dr Andrew Stephens is a new addition to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation team, taking up a position as NAB Research Fellow in 2006.

Dr Stephens completed his PhD in the department of Biochemistry at Monash University, Australia. His work focused on the biochemical pathways leading to the formation of chemical energy in cells, using sophisticated molecular and biochemical techniques to unravel key structural and functional elements of the ATP synthase enzyme complex. Following his PhD studies Dr Stephens took up a postdoctoral position at the University of Sydney, where he used cutting-edge proteomics technologies to identify novel drug targets for the development of new antibiotics. During this time he successfully identified several candidate molecules with commercial potential, working closely with an Australian biotechnology company, Proteome Systems.

Returning to Melbourne in 2005, Dr Stephens joined the Prince Henrys Institute for Medical Research where he helped to establish a proteomics technology platform and initiate several proteomics projects across the areas of male and female reproductive biology. He continues to use proteomics in research aimed at the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for the early detection of ovarian cancer.

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Associate Professor Martin Oehler

 Born in Germany, Martin completed a medical degree at the University of Bonn in 1994, which included a year of study at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa. This was followed by a PhD from the University of Tuebingen, Germany, in 2002.

 His extensive experience includes:

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Laboratory for Gynecological Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas USA (1997 - 1998); 
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Molecular Angiogenesis Group, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK (1998 - 2000); 
• Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Freiburg, Germany (2000 - 2001); 
• Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tuebingen, Germany (2001 - 2002);
• Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tuebingen, Germany (2002);
• Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tuebingen (2002 - 2005);
• Clinical Fellow, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney (2002 - 2003);
• Clinical Fellow, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne; National Australia Bank Ovarian Cancer Research Fellow (2004 - 2006);
• Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide; Senior Consultant, Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide (since 2006)

Martin has published a significant number of articles on his research work and brings a vast amount of expertise to this position.

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Dr Adam Rainczuk

Witchery Research Fellow

Dr Rainczuk joined in 2007, taking up a position as the Witchery Research Fellow.  Adam is highly appreciative to the Management and Staff at Witchery for their support, not only in funding his role, but their commitment to ovarian cancer research.

Dr Rainczuk completed his PhD in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Monash University, Australia.  His project involved the optimisation of DNA vaccines against Malaria, and he was a student in the Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology.

On the completion of his PhD he undertook a postdoctoral position at McGill University in Canada, where he was trained in the use of surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (SELDI-MS) and other proteomic techniques.  There he was part of a team that focussed on detecting biomarkers that may be used to enhance diagnostic tests for second and third world parasitic diseases.

Dr Rainczuk returned to Australia and joined the Prince Henry’s Institute for Medical Research in early 2007. He was involved in proteomic analysis of endometrial tissue to identify biomarkers for a potential diagnostic test, to help improve success outcomes after IVF treatment.He continues to apply his proteomic training in research aimed at the development of new diagnostic tests for the early detection of ovarian cancer.

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Nicole Fairweather

Nicole undertook her nursing studies at Victoria University 2001-2003, and whilst studying commenced her nursing career at Linacre private hospital. Nicole remained on the surgical ward for 5 years specialising in Urology. 

Following this, Nicole spent time at Southern Health in the paediatrics department, and in March 2007 was appointed the OCRF/NAB tissue/research nurse for ovarian cancer research, located at Prince Henry’s Institute.  Nicole is extremely excited about her role and the unique opportunity to connect the clinical surgical environment with the research laboratory. 

Nicole also works closely with the Gynaecological Oncology Unit at Southern Health, overseeing an endometrial cancer surgical trial under the direction of Associate Professor T Jobling, Head of Gynae-oncology at Monash Medical Centre, Chairman and Co-Founder of the OCRF (www.ocrf.com.au).

Recently, Nicole has joined the Victorian Association of Research Nurses, and intends to further develop her career in Research.

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Rebecca Crook

After completing a BSc (Hons) 2.1 in Biological sciences (Genetics) at Birmingham University in the UK, Rebecca went on to the University of Leicester to do an MSc in Bioinformatics. 

Rebecca worked for 3 years within the laboratory of Prof. Paul Stewart at the Institute of Biomedical Research, within the University of Birmingham.  As part of the Endocrinology and Metabolism research group she investigated 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activityin bone, and the effects on disease.  Rebecca developed protocols and preliminary experiments which helped with an award of a Scientific Projects Grant that allowed further development of this work. These techniques were incorporated into an ARC project grant that was funded in November 2006

Rebecca made the move to Australia with full residence in September 2007, and started with Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research to work on ovarian cancer research.

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