Outreach and Education Committee

Jim Whittle is Neuro Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PeterMac) and joint-head of the Brain Cancer Research Laboratory at WEHI. Jim’s research expertise and reputation are built on a deep understanding of basic biology, the development of patient-derived models for drug discovery, and clinical translation. His clinical research focuses on implementing novel Phase 0 (Perioperative) clinical trials as part of a paradigm shift in drug development.

An emerging leader in the field of Neuro Oncology, Jim has an established institutional and national profile, serving on the management committee and chairing the Outreach and Education Committee for the Cooperative Group for Neuro Oncology (COGNO), as well as participating in various committees within the Society of Neuro Oncology (SNO). In 2023, Jim was appointed Co-Director of Research Strategy at the Brain Cancer Centre (Melbourne) and sits on the research advisory committee for the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research.

Reflecting a commitment to improving patient outcomes, Jim co-leads a team with Prof. Kate Drummond (RMH) developing an online survivorship platform to provide reliable information, self-care tools, and a supportive community for Australians affected by brain tumours. He also focussed on improving the transition of care for paediatric patients with brain tumours into the adult setting and increasing equity of access for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with brain tumours to enrol on clinical trials.

Dr Sofia Mason is a medical oncologist at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, and PhD student at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. She is currently undertaking a basic science project exploring the role of androgen receptor signaling in glioblastoma supervised by A/Prof Christine Chaffer. Her clinical interests include neuro-oncology and breast cancer. Sofia has been involved in quality improvement and development activities with EviQ and the Co-operative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (COGNO).

Dr Angela Mweempwa is a medical oncologist based in Auckland, specialising in primary central nervous system tumours and gastrointestinal tract cancers. After completing her medical oncology specialization in Auckland, she became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2019. Angela's research focus led her to prestigious fellowships at the Auckland Cancer Trials Centre and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, where she contributed to early-phase trials, neuro-oncology, and tumor sequencing. Passionate about delivering exceptional care to patients with primary brain tumours, Angela has established a neuro-oncology clinic at Auckland City Hospital, further solidifying her commitment to advancing cancer treatment.

Dr Laveniya Satgunaseelan is a pathologist in the Department of Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. Her main role is in the provision of molecular neuropathology services. Laveniya is an active member of the NIH Clinical Genome Resource, where she co-chairs two international working groups in cancer genomics. Locally, Laveniya is the current secretary/treasurer of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Neuropathology.

Joe is a Specialist Radiation Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. He did his medical training in New Zealand and radiation oncology training in Australia and holds a laboratory-based PhD in
tumour immunology from the University of Melbourne. He is passionate about optimising the application of radiation therapy in modern multi-modal oncology paradigms and education of junior radiation oncology trainees.