A $3 million endowed chair jointly funded by The University of Western Australia and the Leukaemia Foundation, aims to improve the lives of those affected by blood cancer by driving research leadership and innovation.
The Leukaemia Foundation Tony Fini Chair in Blood Cancer Research will focus on prevention, early detection and diagnostics – areas that have historically received less than 10 per cent of blood cancer research funding in Australia, compared with 20-to-55 per cent for other major cancers such as breast, prostate and melanoma.
Image: Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti and UWA Pro Vice-Chancellor Health and Medical Research, Professor Romola Bucks..
UWA Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health and Medical Research) Professor Romola Bucks said it was the first pre-clinical chair in blood cancer discovery in Western Australia.
"We look forward to working together with the Leukaemia Foundation to drive innovation and enhance blood cancer research capability as a national and international hub for excellence," Professor Bucks said.
"The Chair will be a central pillar in building a stronger, more connected ecosystem for blood cancer and haematology research, one that attracts, nurtures and retains outstanding early- and mid-career researchers in the field."
Professor Bucks said the generosity and visionary support provided would fuel the next frontier in blood cancer research, especially in early detection, an area with exciting potential to improve patient outcomes.
"It is also one in which UWA holds national strength, particularly through the outstanding work of Professor Wendy Erber and her team, a legacy we are proud to build upon through our partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation today," she said.
"We are excited by the Chair's potential to drive research leadership, innovation, and significant impact for the lives and families of those affected by blood cancers.
"Beyond this individual appointment, the enduring partnership between the Leukaemia Foundation and UWA will be profound.
"Together, we are investing in a future where scientific discovery leads to real-world change and we are proud to collaborate as a partner on the Foundation's ambitious agenda to see no lives lost to blood cancer by 2035."
