Dr Ashwini Chand
Head, Cancer Therapeutics Development Group
Dr Ashwini Chand
<p><em>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. </em></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h3 id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2151"><span style="font-size: 1.5rem;">Education</span></h3>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2151">Bachelor of Science, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, New Zealand</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2154">Master of Science, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2155">PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Auckland, New Zealand</p>
<h3 id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2156"><span style="font-size: 1.5rem;">Current Appointments</span></h3>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2156">NHMRC R.D. Wright Career Development Fellow</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2159">Head, Cancer Therapeutics Development Group, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2160">Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University</p>
<p>Adjunct Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University</p>
<h3><span style="font-size: 1.5rem;">Achievements</span></h3>
<p>NHMRC Career Development Fellowship, ongoing</p>
<p>US Endocrine Society and Frontiers in Reproduction Abstract Award, 2014</p>
<p>Prince Henry’s Institute Career Enhancement Award, 2013-2014</p>
<p>National Breast Cancer Foundation Novel Concept Award, 2012-2014</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2163">U.S. Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2009-2013</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2162">Burroughs Wellcome Scholarship, Marine Biology Laboratories, Massachusetts, USA, 2008</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2161">US Endocrine Society Trainee Award, 2007</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2164">Women in Endocrinology New Investigator Award, 2007</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1.5rem;"> </span></p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2170">Ph: +61 3 9496 5726 </p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_5_1478663825479_2170"><strong>Email:</strong> ashwini.chand@onjcri.org.au</p>