Clearing the path: breaking down roadblocks for early career researchers and clinicians in investigator-initiated trials

With Dr Kortnye Smith and Dr Stephen Luen

22 June 2023

Dr Kortnye Smith and Dr Stephen Luen discuss the most common issues faced by early career researchers and clinicians when developing investigator-initiated trials and how to approach these issues, including how to bring a team together and how to find and secure funding. The webinar also covers VCCC Alliance support services, including clinical trial protocol writing service and biostatistical support, powered by IQVIA.

Dr Kortnye Smith
Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Eastern Health

Dr Kortnye Smith is a medical oncologist and researcher at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Eastern Health. After completing her medical oncology training, she pursued a two-year fellowship at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Melbourne Genomic Health Alliance where she investigated genomic sequencing in cancer therapy. Kortnye works predominantly in lung cancer and melanoma as well as focusing on her passion to improve patient equity by coordinating the Oncology in the Home program in Melbourne.

Dr Stephen Luen
Medical Oncologist

Dr Stephen Luen is an early career Medical Oncologist and cancer researcher specialising in breast cancer, sarcoma, early drug development, and precision oncology. He completed his PhD investigating genomic and immune biomarkers in early stage breast cancers under the supervision of Professor Sherene Loi in 2021. He has subsequently developed an interest in generating novel clinical trials that apply precision oncology treatment approaches to treatment-resistant cancers. This work has led to the development of a number of investigator-initiated clinical trials in this space.