Projects We Support

Projects We Support

The NSW Regional Cancer Research Network supports a range of translational research and capacity-building projects across regional NSW. Select a project title to view further details. Project pages are being progressively added.

View funding opportunities

Shovel Ready Translational Research Project Grants

2023

• A non-invasive MRI-based quantification of neuronal activity to identify the more aggressive tumours in the brain.
  Professor Hubert Hondermarck, University of Newcastle
• Embedding Patient Reported Measures to optimise psychosocial support referral pathways for rural cancer patients
  Ms Alison Hofman, Hunter New England Local Health District - Tamworth Hospital
• Empowering patients and clinicians to make shared treatment decisions in low-risk thyroid cancer
  Dr Christine O'Neill, Hunter New England Local Health District - John Hunter Hospital
• Improving quality and utilisation of breast cancer care in regional NSW using the SGF device to monitor patient position during breast radiotherapy under breath hold
  Professor Joerg Lehmann, Calvary Mater Newcastle
• SLAM-B: Self-administration of Bortezomib for patients with myeloma: A pilot study
  Ms Jacqui Jagger, Central Coast Local Health District - Cancer Services
• SPRITES: Supported PRehabilitation – Improving fiTness, Ensuring well-being before surgery – a feasibility study for people with cancer preparing for abdominal surgery
  Dr Jennifer Mackney, Hunter New England Local Health District - John Hunter Hospital
• Validation and feasibility of dry-blood spot testing for infusional 5-fluorouracil dosing
  Dr Alex Flynn, Central Coast Local Health District
• Virtual Reality Education and Coaching for Left Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Radiation Therapy
  Dr Kathleen Dower, Northern NSW Local Health District - North West Cancer Centre

Research Fellowships

Clinician Research Fellowships

2023

• Assessing the feasibility and clinical and patient-reported impacts of ctDNA testing in adjuvant breast cancer: A rural pilot study
  Dr Sunil Rai, Hunter New England Local Health District - Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital
• Developing a pathway for implementing therapeutic drug monitoring of anticancer drugs, for regional and rural patients to improve outcomes
  Associate Professor Jennifer Schneider, University of Newcastle
• Telehealth remote pre-screening to increase regional and remote patient access to Breast Cancer Trials (BCT) CAPTURE Trial
  Dr Sarah Zardawi, Breast Cancer Trials

2024

• Investigating existential distress in palliative care patients - a cross-sectional and longitudinal prospective cohort study to improve the quality of life of those affected by cancer and other life limiting illnesses
  Felicity Bates, Mid North Coast Local Health District - Coffs Clinical Network Pharmacy Department
• Improving Symptom Management to Support Best Clinical Practice: Addressing Levetiracetam Drug Stability and Compatibility for Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion
  Fern Beschi, Calvary Mater Newcastle
• Physician-led dedicated Telehealth Cardio-Oncology Service to improve outcomes for cancer patients living in regional and rural NSW: a feasibility and acceptability study (TELE-CANCER)
  Dr Jie (Tina) Yu, Hunter New England Local Health District - John Hunter Hospital

Regional Research Fellowships

2025

• Co-designing and validating unmet needs assessment tools for children with cancer and their parents in regional NSW
  Dr Jamie Bryant, University of Newcastle
• Utilising DNA methylation as blood-based biomarkers to develop a diagnostic test for ovarian cancer
  Dr Michelle Brown, University of Newcastle

Research Starter Grants

2024

• Characterising the Role and Impact of Brain Cancer Care Coordinators in Australian Brain Cancer Care Centres
  Melissa Carlson, University of Newcastle
• Dietary management of coeliac disease for cancer prevention: qualitative study
  Rachel Taylor, University of Newcastle
• Evaluating and improving the uptake of 'OPtimal care Pathways' - the OPS project
  Benjamin Reardon, Calvary Mater Newcastle
• Examining the treatment trajectories of pancreatic cancer patients in a rural/regional/remote area
  Rebecca Griffiths, Hunter New England Local Health District - North West Cancer Centre, Tamworth Hospital
• Personalised Nanomedicine for Lung Cancer Treatment
  Sharon Wong, University of Newcastle

PhD Scholarships

2023

• A non-invasive MRI-based quantification of neuronal activity to identify the more aggressive tumours in the brain
  James Brown-Miles, University of Newcastle
• Development of an Ovarian Cancer Detection Test
  Sara Atiq Siddiqui, University of Newcastle

If you have questions about our supported projects, or would like to explore funding and support options, please contact us at nswrcrn@newcastle.edu.au.

Join our Network