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Leading Innovation And Discovery To Improve The Lives Of People Affected By Asbestos-Related Disease

Vision

Leading innovation and discovery to improve the lives of people affected by asbestos related disease

The National Centre for Asbestos-Related Diseases (NCARD) was established as a national cooperative research centre in 2007 in Perth, Western Australia by the Commonwealth government. NCARD continues as an  National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recognised Centre of Research Excellence (CRE).

The NCARD aim is to enable the best Australian scientists, clinicians and researchers in the field, using the best available modern technology, to work cooperatively to prevent, monitor, treat, and/or cure asbestos cancers in the shortest realistic timeframe. This is expanded in our Strategic Plan.

NCARD has an excellent track record in attracting competitive research grants, both from Australian and international sources.

Biobank

Research Leaders

More than 35 people make up the NCARD research team including; senior scientists, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD and Honours students.

PROFESSOR ANNA NOWAK

DIRECTOR, NCARD

Professor Anna Nowak is the Director of NCARD, a Medical Oncologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and a Professor within the School of Medicine at The University of Western Australia.

PROFESSOR RICHARD LAKE

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW

Professor Richard Lake is a molecular immunologist with a distinguished track record in asbestos related cancer, whose work in mesothelioma has received national and international recognition.

PROFESSOR JENETTE CREANEY

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW

Professor Creaney is the Head of the Biomarkers and Discovery unit. The group is investigating biomarkers for improved diagnosis and monitoring of patients with mesothelioma and examining the use of biomarkers for screening asbestos-exposed individuals for early detection of mesothelioma.

PROFESSOR BRUCE ROBINSON

PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE

Professor Bruce Robinson is a respiratory physician and scientist, internationally recognised for his leading research into cancer immunology and asbestos related cancer over nearly four decades.

DR JOOST LESTERHUIS

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW

Dr. Willem (Joost) Lesterhuis is an NHMRC RD Wright Research Fellow with the School of Biomedical Sciences and the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases at the University of Western Australia.

DR JONATHAN CHEE

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Jon graduated with a BSc (Hons) from the University of Melbourne. He undertook his PhD in immunology at the St Vincent’s Institute (Melbourne) where he studied the development of islet-specific immune cells in autoimmune diabetes.

DR SCOTT FISHER

RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Scott grew up in Karratha, Western Australia and graduated from Curtin University with a BSc (Hons) before receiving his PhD from the University of Western Australia.

DR ALISTAIR COOK

RESEARCH FELLOW

Originally from Aberdeen in Scotland, Alistair completed his PhD in stem cell biology at the University of Edinburgh in 2010.

DR ALEC REDWOOD

RESEARCH FELLOW

Alec grew up in Thornlie, Western Australia and graduated from Curtin University with a BSc (Distinction) and First class Honours. He received his PhD from Curtin University and continued his postdoctoral training at the University Western Australia.

Male researcher

DR IAN DICK

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Ian completed a BSc in biochemistry at the University of Western Australia. He then worked as a Laboratory Assistant at Murdoch University and then as a Research Assistant in Bone and Mineral Research at the University of Western Australia.

Advisory Board

NCARD Board member

MELITA MARKEY

ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

Melita is a dedicated and respected corporate leader. As CEO of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc. she has worked tirelessly across Government and Industry to deliver; public/occupational education, relevant patient services and secure dedicated funding for medical research into treatment/cure for industrial lung diseases like mesothelioma.

Male researcher

E/PROFESSOR GEOFF STEWART

BOARD MEMBER

Emeritus Professor Stewart completed his BSc and PhD at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He was a Research Fellow at the Western Australian Institute for Child Health at Princess Margaret Hospital and an NHMRC Research Fellow. He was formerly the Head of Microbiology and subsequently the Head of the School of Biomolecular, Biomedical and Chemical Sciences at UWA. Geoff is currently Director of the Institute for Respiratory Health.

Female researcher

PROFESSOR MEL ZIMAN

BOARD MEMBER

Prof Ziman is an honorary Research Professor of Medical Sciences at Edith Cowan University and an Adjunct Professor at UWA. She is past Associate Dean of Research at School of Medical Sciences at ECU, past Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee and co- leader of the Melanoma Research Group at Edith Cowan University (ECU).

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