The Gynaecological Cancer Research Group uses advanced and ethically minded science to improve outcomes for women with ovarian and endometrial cancers and endometriosis.  

Our goals

Our research aims to improve outcomes in ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and endometriosis. Our projects have a patient-centred, consumer-driven focus and a dedicated team of scientists and students working to achieve their goals. We aim to:

  • reduce the mortality of ovarian cancer by developing an early detection test and improving precision medicine availability and accessibility
  • improve targeted therapy for people with the most aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer
  • understand, diagnose and treat the common and debilitating disease of endometriosis.

Research strengths

  • Patient-focused research: All our projects are designed with contributions from consumer partners who ensure our goals align with the desires of the community.
  • Translatable outcomes: Our projects aim to have real-world impact, so we work closely with multidisciplinary teams at hospitals to ensure our research is clinically applicable.
  • Ethically minded science: We conduct world-class research without involving animal models, instead working with human samples and cutting-edge synthetic models.
  • Collaboration: We've cultivated national and international collaborations across our many research projects, with the aim to expand the impact that our research can have worldwide.

Our results

  • To solve the high frequency of late-stage diagnosis in women with ovarian cancer, we’re working to develop a sensitive and specific early detection test.
  • To address the need for better personalisation of treatment for ovarian cancer, we’re testing a ‘liquid biopsy’ using ascites fluid, and we’re developing a computational modelling platform to mimic each patient’s disease and predict their best treatment plan.
  • To improve the availability of effective treatments for ovarian and endometrial cancers, we’re developing and testing representative, ethical, three-dimensional models of ovarian and endometrial cancer. We’re also extending this approach to improve treatment options for endometriosis.
  • To address the need for non-invasive, economical diagnosis of endometriosis, we’re working to develop a diagnostic blood test.

Our experts

Dr Kristina Warton

Senior Lecturer 

Dr Dongli Liu
 

Post-Doctoral Researcher 

Ellen Barlow

Research Nurse

Teagan Fisher
 

Research Assistant 

Elyse Powell
 

Research Nurse