Congratulations to winners of the 2024 Awards

At the 26th AGITG Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Meeanjin Brisbane between 18–21 November 2024, several members were recognised for their contribution to GI cancer research.

Congratulations to our outstanding winners, and thank you for your ongoing dedication to create a better future for people with GI cancer.

View all award winners below.

The John Zalcberg AO Award for Excellence in AGITG Research was presented to Jan Mumford in recognition of her significant and outstanding leadership contribution to AGITG research over a sustained period.

Jan joined the Community Advisory Panel in 2009 and was actively engaged initially as a committee member, then Deputy Chair and progressed to the position of Chair in 2017, retiring in 2023.

Her diligent work on the Community Advisory Panel was instrumental in providing a voice for survivors, patients, carers, and families impacted by gastrointestinal cancer. Jan was integral in developing the AGITG ENGAGE Program which bought together medical professionals and community in a unique way to bring awareness of AGITG and clinical trials to the wider community, which in turn translated to significant improvements in treatment for people with GI cancer.

Jan was a member of the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) Executive Committee and Co-Chaired the ASM Study Coordinators & Community Workshop Committee. Jan stepped down as Co-Chair of this committee in 2023 but remains involved in the development and planning of this valuable ASM workshop for 2024.

She served on the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and Upper GI Working Party for 13 years, retiring in 2023 and Jan has contributed significantly to the following Trial Management Committees: DYNAMIC-PANCREAS, MASTERPLAN, ASCOLT, NABNEC, ASCEND and STOPNET Clinical Trials.

In 2018, Jan took on the Overland Tasmania Gutsy Challenge to raise valuable funds for GI Cancer research.

Jan has always delivered the best possible support for the patients and their families, always going the extra mile for patients and peer support groups.

Congratulations Jan.

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Jan Mumford was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer in her mid-30s – something that came as a huge shock for the mum of three who otherwise felt well.

It also sparked an extraordinary commitment to patient advocacy and GI cancer research.

“From the time I was diagnosed I was interested in finding out about developments in pancreatic cancer research,” she says.

Hoping to help make information about new treatments accessible, Jan joined the CAP in 2009, where she has been instrumental in providing a voice for GI cancer survivors, patients, families and carers. Comprised of people with lived GI cancer experience, the panel volunteers their time to provide important advice on research direction and priorities.

Jan went on to become the Deputy Chair, and then in 2017, the Chair of the panel – a position she held until she retired in 2023. During this time, she was integral in developing the Engage Program, providing meaningful opportunities for medical professionals and community to come together, resulting in greater awareness of the GI Cancer Institute and clinical trials, plus significant improvements in treatment.

Reflecting on what she’s most proud of, Jan counts “seeing the progression of research from new ideas through to completion,” and “knowing the contribution from people with lived experience was of real value,” as some of her key highlights.

As well as volunteering on the CAP, Jan also took on roles on our trial committees and working parties, working side-by-side with oncologists, surgeons and other researchers to develop our trials.

Described as someone who always goes the extra mile for patients and their families, in 2018 Jan went the extra mile, literally, by completing the Overland Tasmania Gutsy Challenge, raising vital funds for GI cancer research.

All of this has been on top of her role as Executive Director of Genetic Alliance Australia, a position she recently retired from. Though in Jan’s words, she was just “doing what needed to be done.”

When asked what she’s looking forward to seeing in the future, Jan highlighted personalised medicine – specifically, “the rise in genetic information in preclinical research and using those results to find the best treatments and develop new medicines. This is new technology with much promise.”

The AGITG Member Fundraiser of the Year Award was presented to Associate Professor Andrew Dean, in recognition of his patient, Chris Reichstein. A/Prof Dean referred Chris to the GI Cancer Institute during his treatment for stomach cancer, and Chris then left a generous donation to our research.

Fundraising is integral to the work of the AGITG, enabling us to carry out important clinical trials that might not otherwise be possible by bridging critical gaps in funding.

In doing so, it also brings us closer to research breakthroughs that have the potential to improve treatments, quality of life and survival outcomes for patients with GI cancer.

AGITG members play a key role in supporting our fundraising efforts – whether that’s by referring patients to the GI Cancer Institute to share their personal stories that encourage donors to give, or by discussing the possibility of leaving a bequest or major gift.

Each year we present the AGITG Member Fundraiser of the Year Award to a member who has made an outstanding commitment to fundraising for GI cancer research.

Our most recent awardee, Associate Professor Andrew Dean, was named Member Fundraiser of the Year in recognition of his late patient, Chris Reichstein, who left a generous bequest. A/Prof Dean also received this award in 2023.

A/Prof Dean, who accepted the award on behalf of his former patient, joined the AGITG in 2010 motivated by a desire to “find bigger, better, more effective treatments for malignancies that were much more poorly funded than others.”

“Chris was a Nuffield scholar who had developed gastric cancer, which was metastatic at the time of diagnosis,” he says.

A pillar of the Esperance community in Western Australia, Chris also worked as a farmer and had a passion for philanthropy.

Learning about the AGITG during his treatment, he decided he wanted to leave a legacy. It was this wish that prompted A/Prof Dean to refer Chris to the GI Cancer Institute.

“Chris believed in the importance of the AGITG’s role in finding new innovative therapies,” he says.

Referring patients to the GI Cancer Institute can have an incredible impact – not just for philanthropy, but in terms of connecting them to valuable support, too.

When it comes to engaging with patients around donating, A/Prof Dean’s advice to other members is simple: “Just explain the work that the AGITG and GI Cancer Institute do.”

We’re extremely grateful to Chris for his generous gift, which has been put toward stomach cancer research and to A/Prof Dean for facilitating his amazing act of generosity.

Leaving a bequest is an incredibly selfless way to enable important, cutting-edge research and Chris’ gift will go on to make a meaningful difference to people with GI cancer and their families for years to come.

This year, the Excellence in AGITG Site Performance Award – Metropolitan Category was brought home by Flinders Medical Centre, SA.

The team is led by enthusiastic investigators who have not only taken on the vast majority of AGITG studies over the last 24 years, but offer themselves as SAC leaders, Sub-Committee Chairs and Study Coordinator Committee members.
They have run more that 75% of AGITG trials, often recruiting the first or highest numbers. They receive lots of beautiful acknowledgement from patients and families.

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For two and a half decades Flinders Medical Centre has shown extraordinary dedication to GI cancer research. Led by a team of enthusiastic investigators, the Centre has conducted more than 75% of AGITG studies to date, including several sub-trials and the landmark CO.17 study.

“One of my earliest memories of working with the AGITG was in the early 2000’s on the ESPAC-7 study,” says Clinical Research Manager Alison Richards.

“Professor Chris Karapetis and I worked closely with surgeon Professor Robert Padbury to make this study a success. It was also the start of a strong collaboration with the AGITG.”

Flinders Medical Centre is the well-deserving winner of the 2024 Excellence in AGITG Site Performance Award – Metropolitan Category.

The Award acknowledges the pivotal role sites across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand play in delivering clinical trials – enabling patient engagement and recruitment, offering valuable expertise, promoting GI cancer research and helping to drive improved outcomes.

Each year it’s presented to sites that have shown exceptional enthusiasm for conducting AGITG trials, a commitment to promoting GI cancer research and excellent quality of work.

“It’s great to be recognised. Our ethos is to seek out the best studies for our patients,” says Alison.

“This is one of the reasons we have worked on so many projects with the AGITG.”

The Flinders team frequently recruits the first or highest number of trial participants and regularly receives positive feedback from patients and their families. Flinders successfully maintains a low drop-out rate.

They’ve also demonstrated a meaningful commitment to improving equity of access to trials for patients from vulnerable populations, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and regional areas.

Strategies to this end have included running the RENO study at a site in Darwin to enhance the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and working closely with translation services.

Embracing the use of teletrials, Flinders Medical Centre also offers the RENO study at Mount Gambier.

Looking ahead, the team is working in collaboration with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network and the Australian Teletrial Program to establish additional sites, with the hope these will translate into further AGITG study locations.

Asked what makes Flinders Medical Centre unique, Alison responded, “Without hesitation, the people we work with as a team.”

“Our patients are the heart of what we do, but the team are the soul that keeps us going.”

The Excellence in AGITG Site Performance Award – Regional, Rural and Remote Category was presented to Townsville Cancer Centre, Qld.

The site has a strong collaborative network of radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, allied health staff and clinical research team to provide optimal care for regional and remote patients. This is particularly evidenced through many MDTs across various tumour sites.
Work by the Townsville Cancer Centre is of high quality and produced with enthusiasm evidenced by their involvement in the SPAR trial, with TCC being the only regional QLD centre to recruit patients.
They have recruited patients for several AGITG trials through their medical oncology team such as ASCOLT, INTEGRATE, ATTICA-1, NABNEC and MONARCC. They receive positive feedback from patients both formally and informally for all members of their team.

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To achieve the AGITG’s mission of conducting person-centred, practice-changing collaborative research, our studies must involve and reflect the diverse needs of people affected by GI cancers. As a result, equitable access to clinical trials, including for regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities is a key priority.

In 2022 we introduced the ‘Regional, Rural and Remote’ category for the Excellence in AGITG Site Performance Award, recognising sites that are striving to reduce barriers for people to access trials. Sites like Townsville Cancer Centre, our well-deserving 2024 awardee.

Situated approximately 1,300 kilometres away from the nearest state capital, Townsville Cancer Centre serves a large population over a vast geographical range with patients coming from areas including the Torres Strait Islands, Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria. Providing care to a diverse population, the team has a strong commitment to equity for RRR communities and First Nations Australians.

“I am delighted that Townsville Cancer Centre is being recognised for the work it does. We have a fantastic team of clinicians, researchers, scientists and support staff who punch well above their weight,” says radiation oncologist, Dr James Gallo.

With a network of radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, allied health staff and a clinical research team working across various sites, Townsville Cancer Centre regularly produces high quality work and frequently receives positive feedback from patients.

“Living regionally, there is an enormous sense of community and partnership. This helps us collaborate in our research and focus our efforts to help the communities we serve,” adds James.

Despite the logistical challenges that come with being located so remotely, Townsville Cancer Centre actively works together with major research centres, hospitals and universities across Australia and internationally.

James credits colleagues like medical oncologist Professor Sabe Sabesan with inspiring younger researchers like himself to “rethink what is possible outside metropolitan centres.”

The team is involved in several AGITG trials, including ASCOLT, INTEGRATE, ATTICA-1, NABNEC, MONARCC and SPAR and has enthusiastically embraced the use of teletrials, recognising the benefits this model offers.

“The implementation of practical solutions such as teletrials has been a boon, both for Townsville Cancer Centre and the people who live in these remote areas,” says James.

“I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I can offer someone living in a rural or remote location access to a clinical trial. It makes an enormous difference to our patients, who often have difficulty accessing high quality and timely healthcare that we may take for granted.”

The Early Career Researcher Award for Excellence in AGITG Research was presented to Dr Shehara Mendis, who received up to $2,000 to cover flights, accommodation, and registration to attend the next AGITG Annual Scientific Meeting.

Shehara has been involved in many AGITG clinical trials and has led the development and opening of BIOMARCER-2, a clinical trial which received AGITG’s Innovation Grant in 2021 and is now opening across multiple hospitals across Australia. That same year she was also the AGITG New Concept Submission Runner Up for BIOMARCER-LS.

Shehara is also leading the development of FORECAST-2, a translational research-based trial that is partnering with the Sieber Lab at WEHI which will recruit colorectal cancer patients to an organoid development program.

She has shown a true collaborative spirit in her support of projects led by other researchers in the lab, by driving recruitment to co-investigator’s trials or supporting research output across multiple tumour streams, and by mentoring junior members of the lab and the oncology unit at Western.

She has co-led the VCCC’s Registry Trials Working Group and is an active participant in the AGITG as a member of the Upper GI Working Party and has previously been on the Medical Oncology ASM Sub-Committee.

She has done all of this while juggling clinical appointments at The Western and leading the GI trials portfolio at Cabrini, which provides the clinical gravitas to anchor the research she undertakes.

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“The research scope within GI cancer has always felt really exciting to me,” says Dr Shehara Mendis.

She credits her mentors – the “excellent clinicians and clinician-researchers” who she’s worked alongside since her training years – with inspiring her to pursue GI cancer research.

Since those early days, Shehara has made a long list of significant contributions, both in Australia and internationally. As an active AGITG member, she has been part of the Upper GI Working Party since 2020, involved in several important clinical trials and previously sat on the Medical Oncology ASM Sub-Committee.

Shehara’s achievements include leading the development and opening of BIOMARCER-2, a trial which aims to improve treatment selection for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The trial received a GI Cancer Institute Innovation Grant in 2021 and is now open in multiple hospitals across Australia. The same year she was named the AGITG New Concept Submission Runner Up for another study, BIOMARCER-LS.

Additionally, Shehara is leading the development of FORECAST-2, following on from the successful FORECAST-1 AGITG study. This new trial is being run in partnership with the Sieber Lab at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) which will recruit colorectal cancer patients into an organoid development program.

These achievements have not come without challenges, however, requiring deep wells of perseverance to get through.

“We have had some major setbacks, such as not getting access to pathology materials,” she says.

“It was a strong investment in the trial idea itself, and its scientific importance, that provided the motivation needed to try and overcome what initially feel like insurmountable barriers.”

This tenacity is accompanied by a highly collaborative nature, which sees Shehara regularly support others’ projects, drive recruitment for co-investigators’ trials and mentor junior colleagues.

Impressively, she’s done all of this on top of her clinical roles at Cabrini Health and Western Health.

Shehara’s advice for early career researchers wanting to make an impact?

“Research is a team sport. So, surround yourself with people who will champion you, give you opportunities, support you when the going gets tough and celebrate your achievements.”

“Also, give yourself time. I thought I would never make a good researcher. The first study I did in oncology never got published, but now I feel comfortable in the GI research space, which is a nice feeling to have.”

AGITG members can nominate themselves for the 2025 Early Career Researcher Award, with submissions opening in April 2025.

The Best New Concept Award winners were A/Prof Amitesh Roy, Prof Jeanne Tie, Dr Wei Hong, & A/Prof Rachel Wong for their concept, DYNAMIC-IV: Circulating Tumour DNA Analysis Guiding Adjuvant Therapy in resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases: A multi-centre phase II/III randomised controlled study.

The Runners-Up for Best New Concept were:

Dr Kate Furness for her presented concept, APPETITE: Anamorelin for Appetite Stimulation in People with Pancreatic Cancer: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Prof Nam Nguyen for his presented concept, FOLFIRINOX: Combined FOLFIRINOX and 32P Implantation (Oncosil) versus FOLFIRINOX Only in Treatment-Naïve Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The Best of Posters Award was presented to Dr Olivia Comito for Investigation of the effect of the gut microbiome on tumour response to anti-cancer treatment in patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The Runner-Up for Best Poster was presented to Dr Wei Mou Lim for Exploring the immune microenvironment of anal squamous cell carcinoma using OPAL multispectral mutiplex immunohistochemistry and NanostringTM transcriptomic profiling.