DRUG DELIVERY OF TARGETED THERAPIES FOR PANCREATIC CANCER, MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
Associate Professor Kara Vine-Perrow,
Deputy Director Community Partnerships and Impact,
Molecular Horizons Research Institute, University of Wollongong &
Group Leader, Targeted Cancer Therapeutics Research Laboratory
University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia | October 2026
Associate Professor Kara Vine-Perrow is a cancer researcher, educator and research leader in the Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health at the University of Wollongong, where she serves as Deputy Director (Community Partnership and Impact) of the Molecular Horizons Research Institute and leads the Targeted Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory. Her research focuses on developing innovative drug delivery technologies, implantable medical devices and RNA-based therapeutics for difficult-to-treat diseases, with a particular emphasis on pancreatic cancer and motor neurone disease.
Assoc Prof Vine-Perrow is internationally recognised for her work in translational therapeutics, advancing discoveries from the laboratory towards clinical application through partnerships with clinicians, industry, government and patient advocacy organisations. She leads multidisciplinary programs that combine nanomedicine, biomaterials and localised drug delivery to improve treatment outcomes for patients with limited therapeutic options.
A key focus of her research is ResectAssist™, an implantable drug delivery platform designed to deliver therapeutics directly to pancreatic tumours. Supported by funding from the NHMRC, Cancer Institute NSW, Australian Economic Accelerator, FightMND, and Tour de Cure, her research aims to accelerate the translation of innovative therapeutics and medical technologies from the laboratory to patient care. She also works closely with industry partners to accelerate commercialisation and real-world patient impact.
Beyond research, Assoc Prof Vine-Perrow is passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists and has supervised numerous PhD and Honours students into successful careers across academia, healthcare and industry. She is committed to ensuring that research outcomes translate into meaningful improvements patients and the broader community.
Source and images: Supplied
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6871-1149
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Biomarkers for early sepsis detection
Dr Gabrielle Briggs is a biomedical scientist dedicated to finding smarter, faster ways to diagnose and treat life threatening complications in critically ill patients. Dr Briggs established a research laboratory embedded within the John Hunter Hospital – one of the busiest major trauma centres in NSW. Dr Briggs works alongside surgeons, intensivists, and pathologists to turn complex clinical problems into practical research solutions. Her work spans two major programs: developing a rapid diagnostic test to detect bacterial infections in blood before sepsis takes hold, and exploring mitochondrial transplantation as a novel therapy to rescue injured tissues after trauma and ischaemia.
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Treatment pathways for chronic plantar heel pain
Jason Rogers is a Tasmanian physiotherapist clinician-researcher with a longstanding interest in improving musculoskeletal foot and ankle conditions. He completed his PhD at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania in 2022 investigating the clinical and imaging factors associated with a common foot complaint known as chronic plantar heel pain.
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Big data to improve the use of antidepressant medicines in aged care
Georgina Hughes is a pharmacist & PhD Candidate with the University of South Australia Clinical and Health Sciences and the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), undertaking research at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
Georgina’s PhD study and first published paper was on how to improve the safe and effective use of antidepressant medicines and optimise quality use of medicines in older people accessing residential aged care.
