The National Centre for Asbestos-Related Diseases (NCARD) is proud to spotlight Faith Hartley, whose journey from honours student to PhD researcher demonstrates a strong commitment to improving cancer treatment.
Faith joined NCARD in 2021 as an honours student under the supervision of Dr Alistair Cook. Her research explored how radiotherapy could enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy in mesothelioma treatment. “I have always loved immunology, and the novel concept of using radiotherapy to stimulate the immune response against cancer was fascinating to me,” Faith shares.
Following her honours year, Faith worked as a research assistant, refining her lab skills and publishing her findings – an experience that solidified her research aspirations. Now pursuing a PhD, Faith is investigating how low-dose radiotherapy influences the immune response in cancer treatment.
“The main aim of my research is to understand how low doses of radiotherapy can attract different immune cells into the tumour, how they function, and how this can improve responses to combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy.”
Faith Hartley, NCARD
In preclinical models, this approach has achieved a 100% cure rate when low-dose radiotherapy was combined with existing mesothelioma immunotherapies, demonstrating significant potential for improving treatment outcomes.
Faith’s research is supported by funding from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the iCare Dust Diseases Board, and Tour de Cure. She holds an RTP Stipend and has received additional scholarship and travel funding from Cancer Council Western Australia, allowing her to engage in professional development opportunities. This year, she will present her research at the ImmunoRad conference in Paris, sharing her findings with the international radio-immunotherapy community.
Beyond her research, Faith actively engages with the broader community, sharing her knowledge and passion for science. A particularly memorable moment in her journey was being invited to speak on ABC Radio alongside mesothelioma patient Ron McNally during the 2023 Daffodil Day Appeal. “Getting to know Ron over that time and hearing his story – it’s something that will always stay with me and remind me that the research I do can make a real difference in people’s lives,” Faith reflects.
As a member of the Planet Conscious Researchers Taskforce, Faith also contributes to sustainability initiatives in biomedical research, including laboratory recycling programs and the Containers for Change initiative, which supports NCARD’s research funding.
Working under the guidance of Dr Alistair Cook, alongside Dr Jon Chee and Prof Martin Ebert, Faith continues to develop her expertise in radio-immunotherapy and preclinical research. Her early work was also shaped by Dr Scott Fisher, who provided valuable guidance during her honours year and the first year of her PhD.
Faith remains fascinated by immunology: “The immune system plays a crucial role in nearly every tissue in the body – it’s incredibly powerful and finely regulated, allowing us to live, heal, and fight off disease, including cancer.”
Faith’s research, alongside her commitment to community engagement and sustainability, highlights the vital role of early-career researchers at NCARD. Her work not only brings hope for better treatment outcomes for mesothelioma patients but also contributes to a broader understanding of cancer immunology.
