Welcome to the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology at the University of Melbourne, based in the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
As the only cancer research site embedded in a specialist public cancer hospital in Australia, Peter Mac's perpetual cancer research cycle is unique in Australia; clinicians take their observations from the clinic and share them with their laboratory colleagues and, in turn, researchers plan their research directions with patients in mind.
The work of our 700-strong research team includes managing the genetic risk of cancer, detecting cancer earlier through better diagnostic tools, understanding and controlling the molecular causes behind the growth and spread of cancer, developing promising new therapies through trials in the clinic, improving the safety and effectiveness of cancer medicine, surgery and radiation therapy, all while seeking to improving the patient experience and personalise treatment according to the unique profile of every patient and their cancer.
Peter Mac's research is enabled by expert staff and cutting-edge infrastructure.
Technology experts put the power of cutting edge infrastructure in the hands of laboratory teams, enabling sophisticated experiments that accelerate their research, while in the clinic, specialist groups provide the expertise to support complex logistical needs of clinical trials; enable clinical research to improve the delivery of radiation therapy, surgery and medicine; and facilitate interaction with industry.
Find out more
Peter Mac has shared a strong and longstanding affiliation with The University of Melbourne, which was strengthened in 2012 when the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology was established as a department of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
The Sir Peter Mac department can directly enrol graduate research students to The University of Melbourne's Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy research higher degree programs.
The University of Melbourne Doctor of Medical Science, Master of Medicine and Master of Surgery students who undertake projects at Peter Mac and who are enrolled through other departments are also fully supported by Peter Mac's education program.
Entry to the Honours program is based on available projects, suitability and academic background.
Honours students are enrolled at The University of Melbourne through the departments of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Contact details
- Enquiry contact
- A/Prof Caroline Owen, Graduate Research Coordinator
- research.educationadmin@petermac.org
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
For 70 years, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has been providing high quality treatment and multidisciplinary care for cancer patients and their families. Importantly, we house Australia’s largest and most progressive cancer research group, one of only a handful of sites outside the United States where scientists and clinicians work side-by-side.
As Australia’s only public hospital solely dedicated to cancer, a national leader in multi-disciplinary cancer care, and a national and international leader in laboratory, clinical and translational research, one of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s core visions is to drive the translation of research into innovative clinical treatment approaches.
The Sir Peter Mac Department brings to the university the strengths of world-class laboratory and clinical research conducted within a public cancer hospital, including:
the largest cancer research group in Australia, with laboratory-based researchers and clinicians working side-by-side;
a strong academic program, driven by internationally renowned laboratory and clinical researchers, with a strong focus on educating future generations of cancer researchers;
highly sophisticated equipment and technology, enabling complex research projects through access to cutting-edge core research technology platforms
a cancer stream-based and holistic model of care where multi-disciplinary experts come together to provide tailored treatment at all stages of a patient’s disease, across all common and rare cancer types.
We invite you to browse our website and welcome inquiries from students interested in pursuing Honours studies and graduate research training.
https://www.petermac.org/education/research-education
The Sir Peter Mac department coordinates the University of Melbourne’s Comprehensive Cancer PhD Program. For more information on this program:
https://research.unimelb.edu.au/study/phd-programs/home/comprehensive-cancer-phd-program
Head of Department
Professor Ricky Johnstone PhD, FAHMS
Professor Johnstone is a cancer researcher who has utilized genetic mouse models of hemopoietic malignancies and solid tumours to understand the epigenetic changes that underpin tumour onset and progression and to develop new therapies that target epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory proteins. His research group has recently discovered how epigenetic based-agents can engage the host immune system to drive prolonged therapeutic responses.
Professor Johnstone received his PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1993 and after a postdoc at Harvard Medical School returned to Melbourne to establish the Gene Regulation Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2000.
In 2017, Professor Johnstone was appointed as Executive Director Cancer Research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, overseeing ~700 staff and students and playing a key role in strategic decision making across the organisation. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, was awarded an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship in 2015 and in 2011 was promoted to Full Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Melbourne. He is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Contact details
- Enquiry contact
- A/Prof Caroline Owen, Graduate Research Coordinator
- research.educationadmin@petermac.org
Location
Peter Mac's main campus is located in the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Parkville.