Prof Richard Scolyer named Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year
27 November 2020
The ground-breaking work of MIA's Co-Medical Director Professor Richard Scolyer, one of the world’s leading cancer pathologists, has today been recognised with NSW’s highest accolade for cancer research at the 2020 NSW Premier’s Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research.
The Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year Award is awarded to an individual researcher who has made an active, outstanding, sustained contribution to any field of cancer research in NSW; has a record of substantive and noteworthy publications; and has supported, developed and mentored cancer researchers.
Professor Scolyer was named Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year at this year’s awards, which were hosted online due to the impact of COVID-19, for his pioneering melanoma research which has made a worldwide difference to the assessment, management and survival of people with cancer.
Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow, said the body of work amassed by Professor Scolyer throughout his career has made a real difference to how clinicians and researchers think about melanoma.
“Over the past 20 years, Professor Scolyer has made an extraordinary and significant contribution to the field of cancer medicine through pathology. He is the most published scientist in the world in the field of melanoma pathology, he leads a world-renowned translational research laboratory at the University of Sydney, and he is the co-lead of the world’s largest melanoma treatment facility, the Melanoma Institute of Australia,” Professor Currow said.
“Sadly, melanoma is Australia’s national cancer, with a person diagnosed in NSW, on average, every six hours. This year, around 16,000 Australians will be diagnosed and around 1400 are expected to die from the disease.
“Ten years ago, people diagnosed with advanced melanoma had their life expectancy measured in months. Now, Australian people with melanoma have a range of increasingly personalised treatment options. There are people alive today, in NSW and around the world, thanks to work done by Professor Scolyer and his amazing teams,” he said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian congratulated Professor Scolyer on his remarkable career.
“I want to thank and congratulate Professor Scolyer for his ground-breaking research into melanoma, a cancer that affects the lives of so many Australians,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Commenting on his award win, Prof Scolyer said,
“We have an amazing team of people doing world leading melanoma research and it’s a huge honour to be leading that team and to be recognised in this way. Pathologists have a unique role to play in translational research and are key members of multidisciplinary teams which are conducting research at a high level. Pathologists are the bridge between the patient and what goes on in the research laboratory, bringing a unique perspective in order to facilitate research.”
For two decades, Prof Scolyer has been at the forefront of virtually all major advances in melanoma which have revolutionised management worldwide and resulted in vast improvements in survival of melanoma patients.
“Every cancer patient ultimately has their cancer diagnosed by a pathologist; what we see down the microscope and include in our reports determines how a patient is managed. The thing about research is that there is an opportunity not only to benefit a single patient, but to make a difference to many thousands of patients that will be affected down the track. This is what makes research so important,” said Prof Scolyer.
The NSW Government, through the Cancer Institute NSW, has invested more than $240 million in cancer research since 2011.
For a full list of winners of the 2020 NSW Premier’s Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research, visit: Cancer Premiers Research Awards
Australasian Melanoma Conference AMC2021
The 2021 Australasian Melanoma Conference (AMC2021) will held in Sydney, Australia.
Community Fundraising Wrap Up Apr-June 2021
A re-cap of the wonderful, and often very creative, community fundraising initiatives over the April to June quarter.
Patients paying it forward
Our patients who donate their tissue samples and records to our research are helping to make a difference to the lives of future melanoma patients.
Research boost to improve outcomes for melanoma patients
MIA researchers have recently been awarded two competitive funding grants, which will help facilitate their ground-breaking work in melanoma research.
Riverina Melanoma Ride
Melanoma survivor Matt Kean is doing a 1000km bike ride around the Riverina this October, to increase awareness of melanoma and raise funds for Amie St Clair Melanoma - MIA. There are many ways you can be part of this life-changing ride!
Amie St Clair 10th Annual Ball
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Amie St Clair Melanoma at the Annual Ball in Wagga Wagga!
Melanoma Clinical Trial to open in Wagga
Riverina patients gain access to potentially life saving immunotherapy treatment close to home.
Queen's Birthday Honour for Professor Richard Scolyer
MIA's Prof Scolyer has been appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia.
Sharing our research on the global stage at 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting
Research from MIA was once again in the spotlight as findings were shared at the virtual ASCO21.
Australian researchers lead world in successful trial of new cancer treatment.
In a breakthrough which could extend to the treatment of other cancers, a new immune checkpoint inhibitor has proven effective in helping save the lives of advanced melanoma patients.
Thank you doesn't seem enough for our melanoma nurses.
Whilst our research and clinical teams are trialling new treatments to save lives, it is our nurses who are on the front line providing care and support.
Sharing our knowledge of melanoma on the global stage
As leaders in the field of melanoma, clinicians and researchers from MIA shared their knowledge at the virtual 10th World Congress of Melanoma.
Community Fundraising Wrap Up Jan-Mar 2021
The easing of COVID restrictions has meant the return of community events, and we recognise the generous support of our community fundraisers.
Melanoma patients and their families urged to speak up and put national spotlight on melanoma.
Melanoma patients and their carers are being urged to participate in a ground-breaking survey which will shape the future of melanoma treatment, research, support and funding in Australia.
Support for Melanoma March has come from everywhere
We have been buoyed by the wonderful support for our Melanoma March campaign, and our mission to cover Australia in footprints continues into April!
An inspiring WA Melanoma Community Forum
There was a wonderful feeling of community support amongst the melanoma patients, families and friends at the WA Melanoma Community Form.
Family of 8-year-old with melanoma calls on all Australians to step up to help save lives
The Price family has decided to share their story to inspire Australians to support research into new melanoma treatments.
Rethinking skin surveillance for high-risk melanoma patients
New research has provided evidence in favour of a structured skin surveillance program for high-risk melanoma patients.
Australia's oldest melanoma survivor steps up to save lives on his 105th birthday
Melanoma research saved Bert's life at 101 and now he wants to give back.
Predicting disease spread in thin melanoma
A new MIA online risk calculator for clinicians can determine the likelihood of thin melanoma spreading.