- Cook Labor Government awards almost $1 million across four WA Cancer Fellowships
- The funding supports clinician-led innovation to enhancing cancer care
- Projects target blood cancers, safety and quality, and reducing treatment burden
- The funding forms part of the Cook Labor Government's commitment to improving health outcomes for Western Australians
Four Western Australian medical practitioners will share almost $1 million in funding, after being awarded 2027 WA Cancer Fellowships.
The Cook Labor Government-funded fellowships advance research aimed at enhancing cancer care across WA.
Recipients were selected from a highly competitive field and will start their fellowships in 2027 within the WA health system.
The fellowships build research capability and drive innovation in cancer care, which are key priorities set out in the Australian Cancer Plan and forthcoming WA Cancer Plan 2026-2036.
The 2027 WA Cancer Fellowship recipients are:
- Dr Rosemary David, Fiona Stanley Hospital: investigating safer immunotherapy for Western Australians;
- Dr Alexandra Laidman, Royal Perth Hospital: exploring the use of liquid biopsies to better monitor Hodgkins lymphoma;
- Dr Tenny Sunny, Fiona Stanley Hospital: Investigating whether dexamethasone use during chemotherapy increases the risk of diabetes, to inform evidence-based treatment guidelines and clinical pathways; and
- Dr Mark Watson, Fiona Stanley Hospital: exploring oral treatment options to reduce hospital appointments for stem cell and CAR T-cell patients.
Comments attributed to Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"Through these fellowships, our frontline health professionals will lead world-class research to address critical challenges in cancer care.
"These projects showcase the breadth and depth of cancer care innovation across WA's health and research community, driving improvements in care and outcomes for people affected by cancer.
"By investing in clinician-led research, we are accelerating the transition of promising discoveries into real-world improvements for patients across Western Australia."
