Three oncologists and cancer researchers are among 37 new Fellows elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences  in recognition of their outstanding contributions to health and medical research.

Professor Martin Lavin of the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research and Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips and Professor Sean Grimmond of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria were elected to the Academy because “they have had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians and the world,” said the Academy’s President, Professor Ian Frazer.

‘We work with our Fellows to strengthen the health and medical research landscape in Australia. It is thanks to their expertise that we can play a valuable role in ensuring that Australia continues to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.”

Professor Lavin is Professor of Molecular Oncology whose research has been on the importance of DNA damage response in minimising genetic instability and cancer. His research interests have included cancer genetics; neurodegenerative disease; early detection of prostate cancer.

Professor Phillips is a Consultant Medical Oncologist in the Breast Service and the Founder of the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Management Clinic at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.  Her clinical practice and research are focused on breast cancer genetics and prevention.

Professor Grimmond is Bertalli Chair in Cancer Medicine at the in the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. His research interest is in the genetics controlling tissue repair and cancer and the role of genomic in personalised cancer medicine.

The Academy is a not-for-profit independent body set up in 2014 by a panel of eminent senior health and medical scientists, chaired by Professor Richard Larkins, and which included Professor Fiona Wood and Professor Ian Frazer, under the patronage of Professor Sir Gustav Nossal.

Its aims are to provide independent advice to government and the community on issues relating to evidence-based medical practice and medical researchers; provide a forum for discussion on progress on medical research with an emphasis on translation of research into practice and to provide mentoring to younger researchers

The election brings the Academy’s total Fellowship to 357.