SUPPORTIVE CARE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH OR BEYOND CANCER TREATMENT
Dr Hannah Wardill, Hospital Research Foundation Fellow, University of Adelaide & Head of Supportive Oncology Group (Precision Cancer Medicine)
SAHMRI (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute)
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Adelaide, South Australia | January 2025
Dr Hannah Wardill is a Hospital Research Foundation Fellow and lead of the Supportive Oncology Research Group (SORG), in the School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide and Precision Cancer Medicine Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). She is an Executive Board Member of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer / International Society for Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) and Chair of both MASCC/ISOO Patient Partnership Committee & the Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (PaCCSC) Cancer Symptom Trials (Gut Dysfunction Node; supported by Cancer Australia).
While her research started in understanding how chemotherapy damages gut health, Dr Wardill’s research program has now expanded to include a range of symptoms and side effects including neuropathy, cognitive impairment, infection and malnutrition.
A fierce advocate for supportive cancer care, Dr Wardill is working to improve the visibility of this research area and remind people that optimal cancer control can (and should) involve high quality, evidence-based supportive care to ensure people living with or beyond cancer can live happy and fulfilling lives.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6613-3661
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Identification, characterisation and role of leader cells in ovarian cancer progression
Dr. Maree Bilandzic is a molecular cancer biologist dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of ovarian cancer (OC). Her research addresses critical gaps in OC treatment by investigating the mechanisms behind metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and tumour recurrence. By utilising innovative methodologies and disease-representative models, Dr. Bilandzic has pioneered the identification and characterisation of leader cells (LCs)—a unique, stem-like subpopulation within tumours that plays a crucial role in OC progression.
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De-prescribing medications in older adults with dementia
Dr. Daniel Hoyle is a Senior Lecturer in Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania. He is also an experienced clinical pharmacist with expertise in medication management in older people. Dr. Hoyle’s research interests focus on improving medicine use in older people with dementia.
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Life-changing donor milk for preterm babies
Dr Laura Klein is National Milk Research Leader at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is funded by Australian governments to provide life-giving blood, plasma, and transplantation and biological products.
Dr Klein works with clinicians and researchers across Australia to understand how donated breast milk can be used to improve outcomes for vulnerable babies. She’s passionate about generating evidence to improve the products and services that milk banks provide to donors and the families who receive donated breast milk.
