new project to detect cancer earlier Congratulations to Kolling cancer researcher and Sydney diagnosis and treatment of a range of cancers.”
Vital fellow Dr Yaser Hadi Gholami on being awarded the prestigious 2020 Physics Grand Challenges grant. The Grand Challenges project was initiated by The University of Sydney’s School of Physics to drive new discoveries and breakthroughs that will transform the world. The $250,000 grant will be directed to Yaser’s innovative research which aims to significantly improve diagnostic techniques for cancer. Yaser is thrilled to have “This has been my dream since I started studying physics. I strongly believe this will be the first step towards establishing the field of quantum medicine in the diagnosis of cancer,” he said. “Our project will involve fundamental work which I believe will support generations to come in the received the large, competitive grant.
Clinicians currently use MRI or PET scans to detect cancer, but the imaging devices can only detect the cancer at a certain size. There are also some limits with existing blood, urine and tissue testing. “Our approach will mean that we can detect cancer at a very early stage, and in many cases, before the cancer has had the chance to spread to other parts of the body. This will be a real game changer,” he said. “Our technique will be able to detect malignant cells with quantum specificity, meaning that we can detect even a very small number of cancer cells in a liquid biopsy or nano-scale metastases in a solid biopsy sample. “Importantly, this will be a large-scale, collaborative project bringing doctors and physicists together to solve one of the community’s biggest health challenges. by well-known Australian authors, are beautifully written. “They view old age from various perspectives, through the lense of older men and women, their sons, daughters or grandchildren and observers.” Sue said the stories explore not only sickness and frailty but many aspects of ageing including resilience and defeat, satisfaction and regret, love, loss and laughter. “They present a picture of what it is to grow old as
Dr Yaser Hadi Gholami
“My multidisciplinary physics team, including medical, nuclear, particle and quantum physicists from the University of Sydney will be working with the nuclear medicine team at Royal North Shore Hospital, including Professor Dale Bailey, and researchers Prof Alexander Engel and Prof Mark Molloy. “We also anticipate international collaboration with colleagues at the Harvard Medical School to help translate our research into practical application.”
Multi-talented clinician takes out prestigious award Royal North Shore Hospital’s Associate Professor Sue Ogle has received recognition for her book of short stories about ageing. The head of the department of aged care published ‘A enjoy hearing fascinating life stories every day,” she said. “I also love literature and the stories in this collection, all an Australian. Each story is original, infused with acute observations and trademark Australian wry humour,” she said.
“It’s this diversity, positivity and humour that makes the book a great resource for carers, students and anyone interested in ageing.” This is the second book that Sue has published on ageing, the first was a poetry book, ‘Falling and Flying. Poems on Ageing’. Proceeds from the book and the prize will be donated to the Penney Ageing Research trust fund which supports valuable research within the Kolling Institute, led by Professor Sarah Hilmer.
Lasting Conversation. Stories on Ageing’. Sue edited the collection of stories and authored one of them. The book has just won this year’s Australasian Journal on Ageing book award, a prestigious and competitive prize. A/Professor Ogle has welcomed the award, saying the book was a labour of love. “Those of us who work with older people and their families
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 23| 18 DECEMBER 2020
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