A collaborative workshop focused on research in regional and rural Victoria.

2 July 2025 (Video recording below) 

This collaborative workshop brought people together clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals, researchers and health workers in regional or rural Victoria with an interest in cancer research. The aim was to support new researchers to get started and help existing researchers take the next steps by developing research ideas and future projects together.

The workshop: 

• Highlighted and celebrated impactful research already underway across regional and rural Victoria services and disciplines, inspiring attendees and promoting knowledge exchange.
• Facilitated connections among researchers across regional and rural Victoria to foster an integrated and collaborative research community.
• Surfaced common themes, barriers, and opportunities in regional research to help align future projects with local needs and policy priorities.

If you are experienced in research, just starting out, or simply curious about how to get involved listen to this workshop to find out more.

Chair

Dr Samuel Harris
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 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. 

Speakers

Jhodie Duncan
General Manager Research and Partnerships, Latrobe Regional Health, Gippsland 

Stacey (Stace) Rich
Border Medical Oncology Research Unit, Albury Wodonga 

Sinead Hickmott
Registered Nurse (Oncology), West Gippsland Healthcare Group 

Rosa Goncalves, PhD Candidate
 La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University