Staff

  • Prof. Caroline Ford

    Professor Caroline Ford - BSc(Hons), PhD

    Caroline is the leader of the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group. She is motivated to improve outcomes for people with gynaecological cancer and to increase awareness and reduce stigma of these diseases. Google Scholar

  • Dr Kristina Warton

    Dr Kristina Warton - BSc(Hons), PhD

    Kristina is a postdoctoral research fellow who has returned to academia after a career in industry. She leads our early detection project but her interests also extend into our ascites liquid biopsy project. She loves qPCR and is passionate about conducting ethical and sustainable scientific practice.

  • Dr Dongli Liu

    Dr Dongli Liu - BSc, MEng, PhD

    Dr Dongli Liu is an early career researcher with 6 years postdoctoral research experience. She has expertise in Next Generation Sequencing and wet lab techniques. Since joining our team in 2018, she has led several projects on identifying novel biomarkers in ovarian and endometrial cancer. Google Scholar

  • Dr Ellen Barlow

    Dr Ellen Barlow - RN, BN, MN(Hons), PhD

    Ellen is a registered nurse supporting various projects for the GCRG. She has more than 20 years’ experience caring for people with a gynaecological cancer and has been extensively involved in gynaecological cancer clinical research. Ellen’s master’s and PhD research focused on vulvar cancer.

  • Tim Salita

    Dr Tim Salita - BBmedSc, MSc, PhD

    Tim is a Project Coordinator providing functional project management, and administrative and biobank operations support. He completed his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Melbourne. He strives to narrow the communication gap between non- and scientific communities.

  • Brigitte Hodder RN, MPH

    Brigitte is a research officer and registered nurse working closely with participants and supporters of GCRG research. Having worked in the fertility surgical space, she also has keen interests in public health, and endometriosis and its association with fertility.

  • Kate Gunther

    Kate Gunther - BAdvSc(Hons)

    Kate is a PhD student who will start in 2022. Through creating in vitro models from real patients, she hopes to find treatment options for people with endometriosis. She is passionate about increasing accessibility and equality in STEMM. Google Scholar

  • Sumyukta Garikapati - BMedSc, BSc(Hons)

    Sumyukta is a PhD student focusing on developing 3D in vitro models for endometrial and ovarian cancers to better model disease and test drug efficacy. She is interested in translational medicine and is passionate about increasing outcomes for those affected by gynaecological diseases.

Consumer partners

  • Gillian Begbie

    Gillian Begbie

    Gillian Begbie is an experienced and trained cancer consumer who has worked closely with the GCRG for 6 years on developing ovarian cancer research projects. Through CCNSW, NBCF, Cancer Voices NSW and SPHERE, Gillian encourages cancer researchers to think about their work from the perspective of health care consumers, such as patients, their friends and family members.

  • Gill Stannard - consumer

    Gill Stannard

    Gill is a long-term ovarian cancer survivor, naturopath and experienced consumer.

    She works closely with a number of researchers and advisory groups, including Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE Cancer CAG consumer advisory panel. She is also a member of ANZGOG’s Consumer Review Panel.

  • Kathryn Leaney

    Kathryn Leaney

    Kathryn is an experienced and trained cancer consumer who has worked closely with the GCRG for over 6 years on developing ovarian cancer research projects. Kathryn also works as a consumer advisor for the Translational Cancer Research Network, CCNSW, NBCF, Cancer Australia, Cancer Voices NSW and CNV.

  • Jacinta Frawley

    Jacinta was previously diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer. She contributes to fundraising, political advocacy, awareness raising, and social support of those with ovarian cancer. She is an active consumer on national and international ovarian cancer research projects.

    Jacinta was part of the team which won Best New Podcast at the 2022 Australian Podcast Awards for the podcast On the Down Low: speaking up about ovarian cancer.

Graduate student alumni

  • Nicole Yuwono, PhD

  • Claire Henry, PhD

  • Sean Si Quan Ma, PhD

  • Gayathiri Punnia-Moorthy, PhD

Staff alumni

  • Teagan Fisher

  • Bonnie Werner, PhD

  • Marilisa Cortesi, PhD

  • Elyse Powell