2015 Understanding DISEASE... Finding a CURE
/centenaryinstitute /centenaryinst centenary.org.au OUR Values
EXCELLENCE We continue to achieve high levels of productivity, generating useful and lasting knowledge that will impact on how we see and treat diseases in the years to come
COMMITMENT We work tirelessly to identify the underlying factors of how diseases operate and ways in which we can control and cure them
RELEVANCE We continually refine our work to ensure it is applicable to clinical problems and treatment for patients
OUR Vision To improve human health through excellence in medical research OURMission To discover and bring to use innovative therapeutics and diagnostics OURFocus Cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular diseases Being a medical researcher is a labour of love. This love is constantly tested, but driven by OURApproach the dream of making a difference. Understanding disease – Professor Mathew Vadas AO, and finding a cure Executive Director
2 Centenary Institute WHAT Defines us
The Centenary Institute (CI) is these skills by focusing on and a world-leading independent enlarging our research efforts in medical research institute the three critical areas of cancer, located at the centre of the inflammation and cardiovascular University of Sydney – Royal disease research. Prince Alfred Hospital precinct. We possess the scientific Many of our senior researchers excellence and technological are specialist clinicians at Royal skills to allow us to understand Prince Alfred Hospital and the cellular and molecular lecturers at the University of drivers of inflammation, Sydney. Their direct, personal placing us in an outstanding experience with patients inspires position to make significant their work to improve and save advances to overcome the lives. Our close ties with the prevalent diseases (cancer and University and Hospital mean our cardiovascular) of our society. scientists are not isolated from the PROFESSOR THE HONOURABLE people who are affected by the Inflammation is the most DAME MARIE BASHIR AD CVO major diseases we are working important fundamental CENTENARY PATRON to overcome. Centenary has mechanism by which the body gained international recognition reacts to injury, such as infection for the quality of its work and the or trauma. Inflammation also “As a trained medical development and application underlies a number of prevalent doctor, I am deeply aware of state of the art complex chronic conditions, such as of the contribution scientific technologies in cytometry, allergies and autoimmune research makes towards the imaging and bioinformatics to diseases, and drives the initiation continued advancement in our research. and progression of cancer and new treatments and diagnosis cardiovascular disease. of disease. If it was not for Our strength is uncovering the work undertaken by disease mechanisms and With 1 in 2 Australian men and the Centenary Institute, we applying obtained knowledge to 1 in 3 Australian women set to would not have new cancer treat patients. Our research spans be diagnosed with cancer by therapies targeting molecules in from investigating molecular the age of 85 years old, and cancer cells that drive tumour mechanisms of disease at the cardiovascular disease killing growth. We would not be as single cell level to translational an Australian every 12 minutes, advanced in our knowledge disease models in complex the need for new diagnostics, of immunology, infectious organisms and to clinical trials. treatments and cures has never and liver disease, and genetic We will continue to build on been more urgent. abnormalities underlying cardiovascular disease, which is causing sudden death in young people in Australia “With ...cardiovascular disease killing an and around the world. This Australian every 12 minutes, the need world-class research is the badge of honour worn by the for new diagnostics, treatments and Centenary Institute, and the cures has never been more urgent.” outstanding work I applaud.”
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 3 Associate Professor Jeff Holst Head of Origins of Cancer Program
“My team is helping to understand how prostate cells transport nutrients. This has revealed a new link between nutrition and prostate cancer.”
Professor Jenny Gamble Head of Vascular Biology Program “My team has discovered that inflammation in arteries is prevented by increasing a cell molecule. This has allowed the design and test of a first-of-its-kind drug for arterial blockage and blindness.”
Professor Chris Semsarian Head of Molecular Cardiology Program “My team discovered that some cardiac genes cause sudden death in young people. This has helped us identify patients at risk and prevent fatal arrhythmias.”
4 Centenary Institute OUR OUR Strengths Focus Our strength is understanding disease CANCER mechanisms and applying this knowledge In cancer, we have projects specific to leukemia, to patient outcomes. melanoma, prostate, liver, breast and lung cancer We build on these skills and enhanced that stand to improve treatment and diagnostics knowledge by focusing on and enlarging our for all solid cancers by altering their blood supply. research efforts in three critical areas: cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular research. INFLAMMATION Centenary will continue to be a leader in the We excel at understanding how inflammation field through new competencies and use drives disease processes. Through studying the our strengths to help, support and synergise chief cellular components of inflammation, the with our stakeholders and promote the blood’s white cells and the lining of blood vessels importance of innovation and creativity for and how they react to injury, we have defined new Australia’s future. mechanisms and devised new drug candidates.
CARDIOVASCULAR In cardiovascular disease we have projects “What do heart disease, identifying the genes causing sudden death diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke in the young, aortic aneurysms in the middle and cancer have in common? years and atheroma (causing stroke and heart attacks) in the elderly. Scientists have linked each of these to a condition known as chronic inflammation” – The Wall Street Journal.
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 5 CENTENARY’S
30YearANNIVERSARY FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, Centenary’s scientists have We are located on the border of the University demonstrated their passion for research through of Sydney Campus and the Royal Prince Alfred creativity and excellence by discovering improved Hospital. With many of our Faculty being professors diagnostics, treatments and cures for cancer, and clinicians, we are well positioned to ensure inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. In a virtuous cycle of bed to bench to bed and 2014, we produced over 100 publications in top translate our cutting edge research into practice. world-recognised journals such as Nature, Nature We capitalise on this geographical advantage Immunology, Nature Reviews Immunology, Nature and build these relationships with a focus on Communications, Immunity, Cell, Developmental multi-disciplinary collaboration to ensure that Cell, Ageing Cell, Journal of Investigative the Australian population receives the greatest Dermatology, PNAS and Current Biology. possible benefit.
Our Faculty has access to some of the brightest minds with students being energised by the synergies created with our affiliated stakeholders.
6 Centenary Institute Scientific ADVISORY BOARD
Professor Sir Marc Feldman (Chair) Professor Michael Good AO FMedSci, FAA, FRS Institute of Glycomics Head, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford
Professor Richard Flavell FRS Professor Matthias W. Hentze, M.D. Department of Immunobiology Director Yale School of Medicine European Molecular Biology Laboratory Connecticut, USA Germany
Professor Ian Frazer Professor Axel Ullrich TRI Ambassador and Chair of Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry TRI Foundation Board Department of Molecular Biology Translational Research Institute Germany The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 7 CENTENARY INSTITUTE Faculty
Professor Mathew Vadas, Professor Wolfgang Weninger AO AAHMS MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA, PhD, DSc Assistant Director, Executive Director, Head, Immune Imaging, Head, Vascular Biology Program, The Centenary Institute The Centenary Institute Raymond E. Purves Professor Sydney Medical School, Discipline of Dermatology, University of Sydney Sydney Medical School, Department of Clinical Immunology, University of Sydney Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Head, Department of Dermatology,
Professor Mathew Vadas trained in medicine (with First Class Honours) at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital University of Sydney and as a physician at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Professor Weninger is a preeminent Sydney before completing a doctorate at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute clinician scientist in the fields of in Melbourne. He was a chief initiator and Inaugural Director of the Hanson dermatology and immunology. Professor Centre for Cancer Research in Adelaide (now Hanson Institute). He took up Weninger is a pioneer in the uncovering the position of Executive Director of the Centenary Institute in 2007 and has of immune cell behaviour during anti- seen the size and output of the Institute almost double since that time. pathogen and anti-tumour immune He is one of Australia’s most highly cited scientists with citations in excess of responses in the skin using intravital 25,500, a Hirsch index of 85, he is one of Australia’s Inaugural ISI-Thompson imaging technology. He is recognised Citation Laureates, and on the current ISI Thompson ‘Highly Cited’ list. He for discovering several unique immune has over 270 publications and 20 patents. Professor Vadas has contributed cell subsets and determining their strongly to the Australian biotechnology sector, being involved variously function in the context of immune- as founder, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board and acting CEO in two mediated pathology. His ongoing ASX listed biotechnology companies. He has also served as consultant work is aimed at understanding the to several international pharmaceutical companies as well as national mechanisms underlying skin allergies, biotechnology enterprises. In 2012 he was awarded an Officer in the and the pathways resulting in successful general division of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to immunity against skin infections as well medical and biotechnological research, particularly in the area of human as melanoma. immunology, to higher education, and through contributions to professional organisations. In 2015 he is an inaugural Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
His current pro bono work includes the Medical Research Advisory Board of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, serving on NH&MRC committees, the Board of Governors of the Institute for Creative Health and supporting the Contemporary Collection Benefactors of the Art Gallery of NSW.
Professor Vadas’ research embodies a multi-disciplinary approach to discover new molecules or pathways that may uncover fundamental phenomena of nature and/or lead to novel therapeutics. Using techniques of cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics and genomics, he has primarily focused on endothelial biology and inflammation recently with special interest on angiogenesis and ageing.
8 Centenary Institute Professor Philip Hogg Professor Geoff McCaughan Professor Jenny Gamble Chair in Translational Cancer Head, Liver Injury and Cancer Head, Vascular Program, Research, Sydney Catalyst Program, The Centenary Institute NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The Centenary Institute Wenkart Chair of Endothelium, University of Sydney A.W Morrow Professor of Sydney Medical School, Head, ACRF Centenary Cancer Medicine, University of Sydney Research Program, Sydney Medical School, Professor Jennifer Gamble is an The Centenary Institute University of Sydney internationally recognised research leader in the field of endothelial Professor Hogg is biochemist and Co Director Australian National cell function with her interests lying NHMRC Senior Principle Research Liver Transplant Unit, in understanding endothelial cell Fellow. He graduated with a PhD in Director A.W Morrow GE/Liver function, particularly in the area of biochemistry from the University of Centre, inflammation, and how dysfunction Queensland, Australia in 1987. His Royal Prince Alfred Hospital can influence disease. Her initial post-doctoral training was in the USA publication in this area established and Sweden followed by sabbaticals Professor Geoff McCaughan is a the endothelium as a dynamic at Harvard and Oxford universities. physician scientist in the fields of Liver organ, central to the control of Prof Hogg has won 19 awards, prizes Transplantation, Liver disease and Liver inflammatory processes. or fellowships for his research. pathobiology. At a basic research level he has lead a team that has Professor Gamble has authored His most prominent awards are the made fundamental discoveries more than 100 articles together 2001 Commonwealth Health Minister’s in understanding liver transplant with > 13,000 citations, with a history Award for Excellence in Health tolerance, gene expression in human of commercial development of and Medical Research, the 2001 liver diseases and the biology of her projects. She has made major GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for the Dipeptidyl Peptidase Gene discoveries that impact on our Research Excellence, the 2009 Oscar family. Current research is aimed understanding of the role of the Ratnoff Prize from the International at new therapies for liver cancer blood vessels and in particular the Society on Thrombosis and and understanding the liver Stem endothelial cell lining of the vessels Haemostasis, and the 2010 Eureka cell response. At a clinical level he in the development of disease. Since Prize for Medical Research Translation. is involved in clinical studies in Liver inflammation underlies all chronic Professor Hogg has served on Transplantation, HCC, End stage Liver diseases such as atherosclerosis, numerous NHMRC, Cancer Council Disease and clinical trials in HCV. He aortic aneurysms, diabetes, they NSW, Cancer Council Victoria and has published over 400 papers in have focussed on the endothelium Cancer Institute NSW scientific and basic research and clinical medicine. and inflammation. She has identified grant review committees. He was President of the International at least four negative regulators He has organised a number of Liver Transplant Society 2007-2008 and that impact on the endothelium to scientific meetings, including Chair President of the Transplant Society of control the inflammatory response of ComBio2007. His currently serves Australia and New Zealand 2013-2015. exposing the concept that chronic on the Medical Research Advisory inflammation maybe mediated Committee of the Australian Cancer through the imbalance of positive Research Foundation and the Cancer and negative regulators. Research Advisory Committee of the Cancer Institute NSW.
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 9 CENTENARY INSTITUTE Faculty
Professor Chris Semsarian Professor Warwick Britton AO Head, Molecular Cardiology Program, Head, TB Program, The Centenary Institute The Centenary Institute Professor of Medicine, Bosch Professor of Medicine and Sydney Medical School, Professor of Immunology Medicine University of Sydney (Immunology & Infectious Diseases) Cardiologist, Sydney Medical School, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital University of Sydney NHMRC Practitioner Fellow Clinical Immunologist,
Professor Semsarian is a cardiologist with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital a specific research focus in the genetic Professor Britton is a leader in the studies of basis of cardiovascular disease. He trained the immunological control of tuberculosis at the University of Sydney, Royal Prince and new vaccine strategies to control Alfred Hospital, and Harvard Medical this major human infection. School. A focus area of his research is in As a clinical immunologist who is recognised as an the investigation and prevention of sudden international authority on the immunology of infectious cardiac death in the young, particularly diseases, Professor Britton has made extensive amongst children and young adults. Prof contributions to the study of mycobacterial infections Semsarian has an established research over the last 20 years. After graduating from the program at the Centenary Institute, which University of Sydney, he worked in a rural hospital in is at the interface of basic science, clinical Nepal, where he became fascinated by leprosy and research and public health, with the tuberculosis. After completing a PhD on the immunology ultimate goal to prevent the complications of leprosy, he established the Mycobacterial Research of genetic heart diseases in our community. Laboratory in Kathmandu from 1986-89 for the study of He has published over 150 peer-reviewed human immune responses to Mycobacterium leprae. scientific publications, in the highest-ranking This continues as a major field centre for the study cardiovascular and general medical of leprosy. He then joined Faculty of Medicine and is journals. He is also been the primary currently the Bosch Chair of Medicine and the Head of supervisor of over 30 PhD, honours, and the Disciplines of Medicine and Infectious Diseases & medical honours students since 2003, and Immunology in the Central Clinical School. is an active member of the mentoring program at the University of Sydney. Having been at The Centenary Institute for more than 15 years, there has been an emphasis on the study of M. tuberculosis infection. Additional research interests in the cellular immune responses in allergic disease, and the epidemiology of asthma. In 2002-03 he was recipient of one of two Fulbright Senior Scholar Awards for Australia to work at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda MD. This has led to a number of ongoing collaborative research projects. In 2004 he was the recipient of the RPAH Research Foundation medal for medical research.
10 Centenary Institute Professor Barbara Fazekas de St. Groth Professor John Rasko AO Head, T Cell Program, Head, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, The Centenary Institute The Centenary Institute Sydney Medical School, Professor of Medicine, University of Sydney Sydney Medical School,
Professor Barbara Fazekas de St Groth University of Sydney graduated in medicine with first class Head, Cell and Molecular Therapies, honours from the University of Sydney in 1981 Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and worked as a Professorial Intern and RMO at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Professor John Rasko AO is a clinical before completing a PhD with JFAP Miller haematologist, pathologist and scientist with at WEHI and postdoctoral studies with Mark a productive track record in gene and stem Davis at Stanford. cell therapy, experimental haematology and molecular biology. In over 150 publications he has Professor Barbara Fazekas de St Groth is contributed to the understanding of stem cells internationally recognised for her work in and haemopoiesis, gene transfer technologies, understanding how the immune system is oncogenesis, human aminoacidurias and non- regulated. Using T cell receptor preclinical coding RNAs. models and multi parameter flow cytometry, she has made significant contributions to He serves on Hospital, state and national bodies the understanding of many fundamental including Chair of GTTAC, Office of the Gene immune processes. Technology Regulator – responsible for regulating all genetically-modified organisms in Australia She has developed novel techniques for - and Chair of the Advisory Committee on analysing the role of regulatory T cells in Biologicals, Therapeutic Goods Administration. human disease. She discovered the gold Contributions to scientific organisations include co- standard method for regulatory T cell founding (2000) and past-President (2003-5) of the identification now used in over 400 clinical Australasian Gene Therapy Society; Vice President, trials in the areas of graft versus host disease, International Society for Cellular Therapy (2008- organ graft rejection, autoimmune disease 12) and founder (2009) ISCT-Australia; Scientific and allergy. She founded the Ramaciotti Advisory Committees and Board member for Facility for Human Systems Biology to enable philanthropic foundations; and several Ethics the application of advanced cytometry Committees. He is the recipient of national and bioinformatic technology to the (RCPA, RACP, ASBMB) and international awards analysis of the human immune system and in recognition of his commitment to excellence in its contribution to cancer and chronic medical research, including appointment as an inflammatory disease. Officer of the Order of Australia.
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 11 CENTENARY INSTITUTE Faculty
Professor Peter Hersey Dr Patrick Bertolino Head, Melanoma Oncology and Head, Liver Immunology Program, Immunology, The Centenary Institute The Centenary Institute Sydney Medical School, Senior Research Fellow, University of Sydney University of Sydney
Professor Peter Hersey has extensive Dr Bertolino is an immunologist experience in both clinical and laboratory internationally recognised for his expertise based research on melanoma, as a staff on the interactions between the liver specialist and as research director at the and the immune system. Dr Bertolino Newcastle melanoma unit and professor of completed his PhD in immunology in Oncology in the University of Newcastle and Lyon (France) before undertaking post- the inaugural chair of Melanoma Biology doctoral studies at the WEHI (where he was in the University of Sydney from 2011. His mentored by Prof Jacques Miller), at the translational research has involved phase Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon (France) I-III trials of immunotherapy in melanoma, and at the Centenary Institute in Sydney with modified peptide antigens and where he established the Liver Immunology dendritic cell vaccines. He is recognised in Group in 2001. Australia as a pioneer of immunotherapy for Dr Bertolino has made seminal discoveries in melanoma and his studies on how particular Liver Immunology and is recognised as one melanoma cells make them resistant to of the leading experts in this field worldwide. treatment and new treatment approaches He is certainly the leader in Australia, where to overcome certain properties. He has he drives the main group working in this participated in most of the key clinical trials new and expanding discipline. Dr Bertolino on immunotherapy with immune checkpoint was awarded a prestigious NHMRC Senior inhibitors. He is a member of the Melanoma Research Fellowship in 2008-2013 and was Research Institute of Australia. He is a joint the first associate faculty member to be holder of a prestigious NHMRC program promoted to the level of Faculty in 2011. grant since 2005, which has been renewed for a third 5-year period. Current interest His group uses transgenic models, centres on the role of epigenetic regulators advanced imaging technology and flow in progression and treatment of melanoma. cytometry to understand how subsets of white blood cells interact and are instructed by liver cells in both the healthy and diseased or transplanted liver. This research is important in several clinical settings, including transplantation, malaria and chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
12 Centenary Institute Associate Professor Mika Jormakka Associate Professor Jeff Holst Head, Structural Biology Program, Head, Origins of Cancer Program, The Centenary Institute The Centenary Institute Sydney Medical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney University of Sydney
Associate Professor Jormakka is head of Jeff completed his PhD (UNSW; 2003) the structural biology group at Centenary before undertaking a postdoc at St Jude Institute. He completed his Masters Degree Children’s Research Hospital in the USA. at Stockholm University and PhD at Imperial He returned to Australia in 2006, shifting his College London under the supervision of focus from immunology to cancer research. Professor So Iwata. During this time he had His laboratory has uncovered how amino a particular focus on structure-function acid transporters regulate nutrient uptake studies of membrane bound respiratory in different cancers and cancer subtypes, complexes. He subsequently obtained the and is supported by Movember/PCFA, prestigious EMBO Fellowship and trained as NBCF and CCNSW. His work has shown that a postdoctoral fellow at the University of blocking nutrient pumps in prostate cancer New South Wales, where he also determined cells reduces tumour growth (Cancer Res, the first membrane protein structure in 2011; JNCI, 2013; J Pathology, 2015), and he Australia. In 2008, he relocated to the is now developing novel therapeutics aimed Centenary Institute and established the at blocking these nutrient pumps, thereby Structural Biology group, which today is starving the cancer cells. focused on membrane transport in health and disease. He is currently a NHMRC Career Development Fellow and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney.
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 13 OUR Strategic Goals
Understanding ENSURE SCIENTIFIC IMPROVE PATIENT DISEASE... EXCELLENCE OUTCOMES • Recruit world-recognised and • Focus our scientific efforts on accomplished scientists that discovering how diseases Finding a have exemplified prominence work and in particular how CURE within their area of research inflammation drives disease • Support rising scientists to thrive processes FOR CANCER, in their career paths • Focus our clinical efforts on INFLAMMATION AND • Build strong mentorship and cancer and cardiovascular CARDIOVASCULAR leadership programs that will diseases – two classes of DISEASES up-skill our scientists and offer chronic diseases that are the continuous development leading cause of mortality • Measure scientific excellence around the globe by a number of key • Optimise our strong affiliations performance indicators with The Royal Prince Alfred including the impact of the research, citations of papers, Hospital and Sydney Health the recognition of our scientists District to maximise interactions with clinicians and encourage • Ensure innovation and the exchange of knowledge creativity by attracting young, and samples talented and motivated researchers to start their career at Centenary through FOSTER INNOVATION studying opportunities, summer • Catalyse advancements in scholarships and the Lawrence medical research and discover Creative Prize life saving discoveries by multi-disciplinary collaboration • Develop New Program Grants via Sydney Research, Sydney that will offer new opportunities Catalyst and the Sydney for cancer, inflammation and Health Partners cardiovascular research • Support early career scientists with start-up funds to collect their preliminary data and increase opportunities for government grants and awards (Innovation Awards and the Centenary Institute Lawrene Creative Prize) • Promote the development of new technologies and foster communication of our discoveries
14 Centenary Institute OPTIMISE SYNERGIES ENSURE • Explore new partnerships ORGANISATIONAL with key players in the fields SUSTAINABILITY of medical research and • Modernise and diversify higher education funding streams to increase fundraising capabilities and • Enhance existing achieve a sustainable model collaborations; Centenary through smart investment, will be moving a fleet of diversity, income generation cancer researchers into the and the development of staff University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre • Undergo two major fundraising campaigns; • Strengthen collaborations $23.6 million to support between institutes that bring the two Sydney Research people, facilities and resources Buildings, and $10 million to together to fuel more powerful support the ACRF Centenary and advanced research Cancer Research Centre • Share resources and • Build a $30million Endowment equipment to encourage Fund over ten years that will development and sustain our vital research in collaborations on research times of financial difficulty, projects and fast track findings and reduce reliance on government funding • Seek new collaborations with fellow medical research institutes, universities and similar-minded organisations to share knowledge, resources and ensure efficiency • Encourage collaborations with peer institutes to share resources and reduce costs of fundraising, increasing revenue for scientists
...cancer and cardiovascular diseases – two classes of chronic diseases that are the leading cause of mortality around the globe
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 15 OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO Patients & Future Generations
1989 2005 DISCOVERED CRITICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPROVED THE IDENTIFICATION OF ROLE OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN DISEASE HUMAN REGULATORY T CELLS, A DISCOVERY USED WIDELY IN CLINICAL B Cell Program AND RESEARCH SETTINGS (chronic inflammatory conditions) T Cell Biology Program (chronic inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and diabetes) 1997 GENERATION OF TNF KNOCK MICE, A CRITICAL RESEARCH TOOL FOR 2009 IMPROVING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS DISCOVERED MICRO RNA CAN BE MOLECULE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE USED TO TREAT DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH VASCULAR LEAK E.G., STROKE, Immunopathology Program MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (autoimmune diseases) Vascular Biology Program (ageing, which increases risk cardiovascular disease & cancer) 2001 DISCOVERED THAT THE LIVER LIKE A 2011 LYMPHOID TISSUE, CAN DIRECTLY INSTRUCT DISCOVERY OF A NEW MECHANISM BY IMMUNE CELLS WHICH THE LIVER KILLS IMMUNE CELLS RESPONSIBLE FOR GRAFT REJECTION AND Liver Injury and Cancer Program VIRAL CLEARANCE (liver cancer, cirrhosis and hepatitis) Liver Immunology Program (chronic liver disease, including liver cancer, cirrhosis and 2005 liver transplant) ANTI TNF THERAPY INCREASES THE RISK OF REACTIVATION OF TB
Tuberculosis Program (development vaccines and drugs to improve global control of Tuberculosis)
16 Centenary Institute 2011 DEVELOPED AN INTEGRATED GENETIC AND CLINICAL APPROACH FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH Molecular Cardiology Program (genetic cardio disease and sudden cardiac death) 2012 DISCOVERED NEW DRUG CANDIDATES FOR PROSTATE AND BREAST CANCER Origins of Cancer Program 2013 DISCOVERED NEW IMMUNE CELL TYPE THAT CAUSES SKIN DISEASES Immune Imaging Program (melanoma, skin allergies and autoimmune disease)
2015 MOLECULAR CHANGE DRIVING BLOOD CELL DEVELOPMENT (ONE OF THE LEADING CONTRIBUTORS TO PROJECT GRANDIOSE: DEFINITION OF NEW STEM CELLS) Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program and Bioinformatics Program (cancer, cardiovascular and genetic diseases)
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 17 WHY WE CHOSE Centenary “The Centenary Institute is a great environment to study in. I was initially attracted to the Centenary Institute because of its excellent academic record and location. Centenary has state of the art Flow Cytometry and Imaging equipment, and an impressive animal facility. Along with skilled technicians who go out of their way to train and provide as much assistance as possible. Centenary provides it’s students with access to a variety of cutting edge techniques and equipment.”
JAMES HENDERSON PhD Scholar Liver Injury and Cancer
“Centenary is the whole package: a world class research facility with state of the art equipment, weekly seminars from brilliant national and international researchers, staff who are leaders of their field and fun social events. To top it off, Centenary is nestled between RPA Hospital and the University of Sydney so there is always a mix of clinicians, scientists and students to collaborate with and learn from. So, fascinating novel research? Check. State of the art facilities? Check. Brilliant and supportive staff? Check. Opportunities to present and publish? Check. Great Location? Check. ELLIE POWTER Research Assistant Centenary Institute? Check!” Vascular Biology
“As a training clinician scientist, I balance a busy research load on top of my clinical duties at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Centenary Institute houses an exceptional core facility with inhouse state-of-the-art multiphoton microscopy that produces images and time-lapse videos for which the Immune Imaging laboratory has gained international recognition The Scientific Support staff have helped me immensely over the years and are always approachable and welcoming PHILLIP TONG with their open door policy.” PhD Student Immune Imaging
18 Centenary Institute BOARD OF Governors The Hon Michael Egan AO (Chairman) Professor John Horvath AO Appointed Chair in October 2005 Appointed Governor in October 2007
Mr Egan, a former Treasurer of NSW (1995-2005), is Professor Horvath was the Commonwealth Chief Chancellor of Macquarie University, former Chairman Medical Officer from 2003 to 2009 and is a Fellow of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Commission, Chairman of the Newcastle Coal Professor Horvath recently oversaw the Australian Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd and a former member of Government’s review of Medicare Locals and sits on the Council of NHMRC. During his 25-year parliamentary the boards of Crown Limited and the Garvan Institute career Mr Egan held several ministerial positions. of Medical Research.
Mr John Samaha (Deputy Chairman) Mr Graham Kelly Appointed Governor in 2003 Appointed Governor in October 2006
Mr Samaha leads the Australian litigation and Mr Kelly is non-executive Chairman of listed GDI contentious regulatory practice of global law firm Allen Property Group and a Director of Harness Racing & Overy. He has represented many leading financial NSW. He has been non-executive Chairman of various institutions and corporations, as well as executives, from other listed companies, including TAB Limited. He a wide range of sectors, especially banking, wealth was formally a Partner of law firm Freehills and was management, financial markets, resources, real estate, an Inspector of ICAC, and a Director of the Medical IT and telecommunications. Research and Compensation Foundation.
Dr Chris Roberts Dr Teresa Anderson Appointed Governor in March 2015 Appointed Governor in 2007 Dr Roberts is Chief Executive Officer/President of Dr Anderson is Chief Executive of the Sydney Local Cochlear Limited. He has served as a Director of Health District with over 30 years experience in the public ResMed Inc since 1992 and Chairman of Research health system as a clinician and manager. Dr Anderson Australia (2004 - 2010). Dr Roberts has worked in the is a Board member for eight organisations including the medical device industry for more than 35 years in a Anzac Research Institute, Ingham Institute, Inner West number of senior management positions. Sydney Medicare Local and Health Research Institute.
Professor Bruce Robinson AM Mr Joseph Carrozzi Appointed Governor in October 2007 Appointed Governor in 2008 Professor Robinson is Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Mr Carrozzi is a Managing Partner at University of Sydney, and Head of the Cancer Genetic PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He is admitted as Laboratory at the Kolling Institute. In 2003, he was a Barrister at Law in NSW, a Fellow of the Institute of awarded the Daiichi Prize by the Asia and Oceania Chartered Accountants in Australia and a Fellow of Thyroid Association. Professor Robinson is the Founding the Tax Institute of Australia. Joseph is also Chairman of Chairman of the Hoc Mai Australia Vietnam Medical Australia’s Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Foundation. and a 2015 Asian Cup Board member.
Ms Josephine Sukkar Appointed Governor in October 2011 Mr Alastair Davidson Appointed Governor in October 2004 Ms Sukkar is co-owner and Principal of construction company Buildcorp. She is a Director of YWCA NSW, Mr Davidson has held executive positions in the banking and financial services industry for over 30 years in the Opera Australia and the Sydney University Football UK, US and Australia and is a member of the Institute of Club Foundation. She served as a Director of The Chartered Accountants in Scotland. He is an Executive Trust Company from 2010-2013, and is also involved of Australasian Wealth Limited, a listed asset manager, in with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sir John Sydney, and a non- executive Director of Biotech Capital. Monash Foundation and Australian Rugby Union.
Professor Mathew Vadas AO Ms Elizabeth Dibbs Appointed Governor in October 2007 Appointed Governor in October 2013 Professor Vadas followed his medical training with a Ms Dibbs held senior legal positions throughout her career, including General Counsel of PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne PricewaterhouseCoopers prior to her retirement. Ms and postdoctoral work at Harvard. He was the Dibbs now focuses her energy on the not-for-profit sector. Inaugural Director of the Hanson Centre for Cancer She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University Research (now Hanson Institute) in Adelaide and has of Western Sydney, a Director of United Way Australia, a been the Executive Director of Centenary Institute Council member of Chief Executive Women. since 2007.
Ms Deborah Willcox Appointed Governor in October 2013
Ms Willcox is the Acting Director of Operations, Sydney Local Health District and General Manager, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She has held senior positions in NSW Health and NSW Government, both as an advisor to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and later as Chief of Staff in the portfolios of Planning, Housing and Aboriginal Affairs.
Understanding Disease... Finding a Cure 19 Find out how you can support our life saving research: supportcentenaryinstitute.org.au
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