Chair 

Dr Samuel Harris 

Research and Education Lead in Regional and Rural Health, VCCC Alliance 

Medical Oncologist, Bendigo Regional Cancer Centre, Bendigo Health 
 

Dr Harris graduated from Adelaide University Medical School and has extensive postgraduate general medical, oncological and palliative care experience. In 2013, he completed medical oncology advanced training at Bendigo Health, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Austin Repatriation Hospital. His final year was a clinical trials fellowship in breast cancer, gastro-intestinal tumours and genitourinary cancers.

Between 2014 and 2016, Dr Harris undertook a fellowship at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, United Kingdom, working initially in the Sarcoma Unit and subsequently with Professor Johann De Bono in the Drug Development Unit (phase 1 trials) and the prostate team. 

Dr Harris is currently a medical oncologist at the Bendigo Health Cancer Centre and also has a fortnightly visiting clinic to Kyneton Regional Health. He is the Clinical Lead for the Oncology Trials Unit. His specialty areas are in breast cancer, melanoma, lung cancer and general oncology. He is the Bendigo Health representative and a previous chairperson for the Regional Trials Network – Victoria.

Speakers

Amelia James  

Consumer Advocate 

Amelia James was initially diagnosed with stage 2 Breast Cancer in 1997 when she was 31 years old. In 2012 she moved from Melbourne to Creswick in Regional Victoria with her then 10 year old daughter. 
In 2020 Amelia was diagnosed with a stage 3 recurrence, then in 2022 with metastatic Breast Cancer. Her metastases are currently in her liver, bones and lymph nodes.

Since 2020 Amelia has received treatment at the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) before commencing the Inavo121 trial with Bendigo Health in October 2024. The trial participation resulted directly from CaSP results the previous year.
Not surprisingly, Amelia is a big fan of science and advances in accessibility, delivery and support in the area of oncology.

Professor David Thomas FRACP PhD 

Director, Centre for Molecular Oncology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales; Chief Science and Strategy Officer, Omico (Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre)  

Prof Thomas is a distinguished figure in oncology, renowned for his groundbreaking work in genomic cancer medicine. As the founder and Chief Science and Strategy Officer of Omico (the Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre), he has spearheaded a nationwide initiative to translate cutting-edge technologies into tangible therapeutic advancements for cancer patients.

His vision is to achieve equitable, sustainable and affordable access to precision oncology for all Australians diagnosed with cancer. He has authored over 260 research publications, with numerous papers published in high-impact journals and his work has earned him international recognition and has contributed to significant advancements in the field of oncology.

Dr Gregory Gaughran FRACP MB BCh BAO MRCP (UK) BSc (Psych) 

Medical Oncologist, Cancer genomicist, OMICO/ CASP 

Dr Gaughran is a medical oncologist at Geelong and Box Hill Hospitals, a cancer genomicist at OMICO/CASP and has research appointments in Genomics at Monash Health, Alfred Health and UNSW. He is also an MPH candidate in the biostats/genomics pathway.

Dr. Justine Clark, PhD. 

Adnyamathanha Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Kids Research Insitute Australia 
 

Dr Justine Clark is an Aboriginal South Australian and early career cancer researcher. Dr Clark completed her PhD in the Myeloma Research Laboratory at SAHMRI focusing on the roles of receptor tyrosine kinases in myeloma disease development. She is currently undertaking her postdoctoral research within the Indigenous Genomics Team at The Kids Research Institute Australia. Her research aims to utilise precision medicine to reduce cancer health disparities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.