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Ashwini Headshot

Dr Ashwini Chand

Head, Cancer Therapeutics Development Group

More about Dr Ashwini Chand

The ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Centre is a dynamic environment for me to work in as a scientist, where I am able to translate my research activities into outcomes that will ultimately influence the health of patients.  

I am interested in understanding how cytokine-signaling pathways promote normal homeostasis and tumor development in order to discover druggable molecular targets, for which we can then develop novel cancer treatments. My group's research focuses on the normal functions of the gastrointestinal tract and how inflammation contributes to the progression of gastrointestinal cancers.

After completing my PhD in endocrinology, I undertook my postdoctoral training in Melbourne with Profs Simpson and Clyne. During this time I identified a new role for the nuclear receptor LRH-1 in breast cancer, for which I was awarded the Dept. of Defense Breast Cancer Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2009. I received the NHMRC Career Development Fellowship in 2014 and worked with Prof. Ernst to expand my research into the study of inflammatory cytokines in gastrointestinal tumour development.

The research focus of my group is centered on the biology of gastrointestinal cancers and understanding cytokine-dependent tumour-stroma interactions that mediate cancer initiation and progression. Our overall research aims focus on using preclinical gastrointestinal cancer models to identify targetable inflammatory pathways within the tumour microenvironment. We have used our knowledge of inflammatory mediators to identify drugs that are already in clinical use and may be repurposed as cancer therapeutics. In this way, our team is making discoveries that will contribute to more efficient emergence of breakthrough cancer treatments.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, New Zealand

Master of Science, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago

PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Current Appointments

NHMRC R.D. Wright Career Development Fellow

Head, Cancer Therapeutics Development Group, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute

Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University

Adjunct Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University

Achievements

NHMRC Career Development Fellowship, ongoing

US Endocrine Society and Frontiers in Reproduction Abstract Award, 2014

Prince Henry’s Institute Career Enhancement Award, 2013-2014

National Breast Cancer Foundation Novel Concept Award, 2012-2014

U.S. Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2009-2013

Burroughs Wellcome Scholarship, Marine Biology Laboratories, Massachusetts, USA, 2008

US Endocrine Society Trainee Award, 2007

Women in Endocrinology New Investigator Award, 2007

 

Ph: +61 3 9496 5726 

Email: ashwini.chand@onjcri.org.au

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