Cancer
About Cancer research
Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells proliferate in an uncontrolled fashion. It is a disease that can develop within almost every part of the human body and affects thousands of Australians every year.
Cancers are named based on where they originate in the body, even if that cancer then spreads elsewhere. The most common cancer diagnosed in men is prostate cancer (originating in the prostate), and in women, breast cancer. Colorectal cancer, melanoma, lung cancer and lymphoma are the next most common cancers in both men and women.
Our cancer researchers tackle the mysteries of cancer from a number of different perspectives. Some carry out research into specific cancers, such as cancer of the lung, bowel, endometrium, brain, bladder and stomach. Others investigate the role that innate immunity, specific proteins and cancer stem cells play in the onset and development of the disease.
Importantly, our Phase I Clinical Trials Program provides researchers with the potential to translate laboratory findings into new cancer therapies for patients.
Group head
Associate Professor Zee Wan Wong is the Head of Cancer.
Lab Manager Ms Anh Doan completed her MRepSci in 2006, investigating the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into lung epithelial lineage and started working as a Research Assistant since 2007. She was heavily involved in different genomic projects including CRISPR pooled library for loss of function gene knockout and library preparation for sequencing. The projects Ms Doan is involved in are translational based, hence generates organoids from human samples for downstream applications. Her other techniques include isolation of exosomes, primary cortical neurons, and cardiomyocytes. Ms Doan's key research interests include stem cells, and neuroscience.
Project Manager Ms Janet Chang manages the Monash Live-Biobanking (MoLBi) platform, bringing extensive experience in research project coordination and management. With a strong background in clinical and translational research, Janet plays a pivotal role in overseeing the operational aspects of the MoLBi project, ensuring smooth collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
Research Assistant & PhD Candidate Ms Jessica Wu completed her BBiomedSc (Honours) in 2022, investigating the potential of cancer vaccines targeting mutant tumour neoantigens using patient-derived xenograft models. She joined the Cancer Immunology Laboratory as a Research Assistant shortly after and is currently undertaking a PhD in the Cell Therapy Group, co-supervised by Dr Gwo Yaw Ho. Jessica's research focuses on developing personalised T-cell based therapies targeting tumour-specific neoantigens. Her key technical skills include animal modelling, immune cell cultures, tumour imaging, and in vivo assessment of immunotherapies.
Dr Christian Orlowski is a medical oncologist at Monash Health and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University. He brings expertise in translational oncology, molecular profiling, and early-phase clinical trials. Christian completed his PhD at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, where he studied epigenetic responses in embryonic stem cells. His current research focuses on biomarker discovery and integrating precision oncology into clinical trial development, particularly in chemo-resistant cancers. Within the lab, he contributes to protocol design, biospecimen collection, and multi-omics analysis to inform targeted therapy strategies.
Technical Assistant Mr Khoi Ly is a third-year Bachelor of Science student at Monash University, majoring in Immunology. He is currently contributing to the “Brain on MoLBi” platform, where he assists with processing brain tumour specimens and isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patient samples. Khoi brings strong laboratory skills developed through coursework and an industry placement project focused on developing novel therapies for adult granulosa cell tumours. He is passionate about translational research and brings precision and integrity to his work in the lab.
Former Honours Student Ms Anusha Yellapragada.
A/Prof Surein Arulananda has a special interest in thoracic malignancies and is Primary Investigator (including Australian lead) on multiple Phase I to III commercial, collaborative and academic studies. He is the associate editor for the Journal of Thoracic Oncology Clinical Research Reports published by the IASLC. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts, been an invited speaker both nationally and internationally and has been successful at competitive grant funding. He is the Small cell lung cancer and Mesothelioma scientific committee co-chair for TOGA and IASLC Basic and Translational Science committee member. He has completed a Master of Business Administration in 2024 through the University of Melbourne and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying the culinary and wine delights Melbourne has on offer.