Research Team

Head of Gynaecological Oncology Department, Monash Medical Centre
Associate Professor Thomas Jobling

As head of Gynaecological Oncology at Monash Medical Centre, Associate Professor Jobling was involved in setting 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."

Senior Research Associate
Associate Professor Martin K. Oehler

Dr. Martin K. Oehler is the Director of Gynaecological Oncology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide.

He qualified as gynaecologist in Germany and completed his subspecialty training as gynaecological oncologist at Westmead Hospital in Sydney and Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne.

Dr. Oehler did a PhD in molecular biology and his extensive research experience includes previous appointments at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston/Texas, USA and the Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK. He has a special interest in the basic science of ovarian cancer and is the Program Leader for Gynaecological Cancer Research, Robinson Institute, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide.

Dr. Oehler has published a significant number of articles and brings a vast amount of expertise to this position.

NAB OCRF Research Fellow at Prince Henry's Institute (PHI)
Dr Andrew Stephens

Dr Andrew Stephens is the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation Fellow Group Leader, 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.

Witchery OCRF Research Fellow at PHI
Dr Adam Rainczuk

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.

L’Oréal Paris OCRF Research Fellow at PHI
Dr Simon Chu

Dr Simon Chu completed his PhD at Prince Henry’s Institute in 2005. His work focused on the roles of the estrogen receptor in the pathogenesis of a subset of ovarian tumours, and in particular the impact that molecular signalling pathways of the cell have on this receptor. His work discovered a molecular mechanism which prevents the normal signalling through the estrogen receptor beta. After his PhD studies, Dr Chu continued his work at Prince Henry’s, examining the consequences of blocking this mechanism using new therapeutic compounds to explore whether this might lead to a new chemotherapeutic approach to treating this disease. 

Over the previous 2 years, Dr Chu took up postdoctoral position at the Pasteur Institute located in Cambodia, where he has helped to develop a new approach to measure the sero-prevalence of the H5N1 avian influenza strain, using molecular techniques which do not require the risk of being exposed to this dangerous virus. During this training period, he has been able to build a strong foundation in molecular virological techniques. On returning to Australia in April 2009, Dr Chu’s focus will again be toward continuing his investigations into the causes of ovarian cancer. In particular, his focus will be on understanding the origins of ovarian cancer. 

Although ovarian tumours have been thought to arise from the cells on the surface of the ovary there has always been some controversy about this. There is increasing evidence that up to three quarters of ovarian serous cancers (the commonest type of ovarian cancer) may originate from the fimbrial epithelium at the ends of the fallopian tube, adjacent to the ovary. This is important both with respect to understanding the origins of ovarian cancer and also has implications for the early diagnosis of these cancers. 

Simon Chu will add a new element to the groups’ research on ovarian cancer by addressing this question. He will establish both a bank of cell lines derived from the Fallopian tube as well as using surgical tissue to combine both a molecular genetic approach as used by the group in their studies of granulosa cell tumours with the proteomic expertise that the group is successfully applying to the challenge of early diagnosis.

Witchery/madison OCRF Research Fellow at PHI
Dr Katie Meehan

Dr Meehan completed her PhD in the department of Surgery at the University of Western Australia. Her PhD involved proteomic characterisation of early stage prostate cancers and identification of early markers of disease. Upon completion of her PhD, Dr Meehan undertook a postdoctoral position at the British Columbia Cancer Research Center in Vancouver, Canada where she continued her research on prostate cancer. She identified several candidate markers of prostate cancer progression that have been patent protected and are currently being developed.

Following this, Dr Meehan moved to the University of Arizona, USA where she undertook a Research Associate position in the Arizona Respiratory Center. She undertook a range of mass spectrometry studies to investigate the mechanism of a key regulator of the immune response and inflammation in lung.

Dr Meehan returned to Australia and joined the Prince Henry’s Institute for Medical Research in early 2008. She was involved in proteomic analysis of serum from women undergoing IVF to identify biomarkers for a diagnostic test, to minimise the number of women developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (a common side effect of IVF). Dr Meehan applies her knowledge of cancer biology coupled with her proteomics training to characterise markers that can be used for the early detection of ovarian cancer.

NAB OCRF Research Nurse at PHI
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 Thomas Jobling, Head of Gynae-oncology at Monash Medical Centre, Chairman and Co-Founder of the OCRF Recently, Nicole has joined the Victorian Association of Research Nurses, and intends to further develop her career in Research.

OCRF Research Nurse at PHI
Pinky Patel

After completing her Graduate Diploma in Management at the University of Ballarat, Melbourne, Pinky moved to Sydney in 2005. Since moving to Sydney, Pinky has completed a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Western Sydney in 2008. 

Pinky recently traveled back to India, her home country, where she finished her Bachelor of Science, specialising in Bio-Chemistry and medical pathology laboratory technician. Pinky went on to join Dr. Balar’s Pathology Laboratory and Endocrine Unit, employed as a pathology laboratory technician. Her previous background and recent experience in histopathology and application of various laboratory methods in her role as medical pathology laboratory technician, qualified Pinky to be the fortunate candidate for the OCRF/Research Nurse position (2008), located at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Comprehensive training and education in her current role has assured her commitment to this research study. In this position, Pinky works under the direction of Professor Philip Beale, Dr Chris Dalrymple and align with her counterpart in Melbourne, Mrs Nicole Fairweather.

OCRF Research Officer at PHI
Dr Jessica Gathercole

Jessica has several years of experience in the application of sophisticated biochemistry and mass spectrometry techniques to discover diagnostic biomarkers of cancer. Her previous work at the University of Tasmania focussed on the detection of early stage Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a contagious and fatal tumour that has lead to a substantial decline in Tasmanian Devil numbers, and its listing as an endangered species. Jessica’s work developed a blood test to diagnose early stage DFTD before tumours become apparent, which will hopefully contribute to the preservation of this Australian native species.

Jessica now joins the OCRF research team, applying her expertise in early stage cancer diagnostics to help develop a screening test for early stage ovarian cancers.

Jessica Gathercole joined the OCRF research team in October 2010.

OCRF Research Officer at PHI
Dr Jyothsna Rao

Dr Jyothsna Rao obtained a PhD from Department of Physiology, Monash University focussing on the hormonal regulation of type-2 diabetes. She then undertook a program of research investigating the presence of stem cell in the human endometrium, and how they contribute to the formation of endometrial cancers. Jyothsna joined the group in 2010, bringing her valuable expertise in gynaecological cancers and her knowledge of female reproductive physiology.