Professors Sarah-Jane and Mark Dawson join the UMCCR
The University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research (UMCCR) is delighted to welcome Professors Sarah-Jane and Mark Dawson to our group of university leaders committed to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Both Sarah-Jane and Mark Dawson are consultants and group heads based at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and professors in the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology within the University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Professor Sarah-Jane Dawson’s research focuses on the development of non-invasive blood tests for early cancer detection, risk stratification and disease monitoring in cancer.
"Joining the UMCRR provides a unique opportunity for me to collaborate more closely with the world-leading researchers within the centre and across the University of Melbourne, and will help drive our research forward with new discoveries to improve outcomes for patients with cancer."
Professor Mark Dawson studies the role of epigenetic regulators in haematological and solid cancers with an aim to use these insights to identify novel anti-cancer therapies.
"I am looking forward to the collaborative opportunities ahead to work with the outstanding team of researchers within the UMCCR and drive innovative discovery-based research that increases our understanding of cancer biology."
Professor Sean Grimmond, director of the UMCCR, said that Sarah-Jane and Mark Dawson’s expertise in cancer epigenetics and biomarkers will complement the existing knowledge and capabilities in the centre, further driving clinical impact in cancer.
“It’s very exciting to be formalising the affiliation of professors Sarah-Jane and Mark Dawson, two stellar clinician-scientists, with the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research.
“We look forward to strengthening collaborations between our now 15 groups of outstanding researchers, and more broadly through the University of Melbourne and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre alliance partners.”
In 2019, both researchers were awarded the prestigious Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship from The University of Melbourne in recognition of outstanding research performance.