Leading cancer researcher joins SAiGENCI

Melissa Davis smiles at the camera.

Photo credit:听Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Cancer research expert Professor Melissa Davis has been appointed as Program Leader, Cancer Systems Biology at the South 最新糖心Vlogn immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI).

Professor Davis brings a wealth of experience as a computational cancer biologist, analysing large-scale molecular data to discover the molecules and processes that play a major role in cancer.

SAiGENCI is a cancer-focused medical research institute established in 2021 that operates within the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide鈥檚 Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, supported by an alliance with the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN).

Professor Davis said she was excited at the opportunity to build a world-class computational systems oncology program and work with other top researchers at SAiGENCI.

鈥淚 am honoured to lead a team that will make important discoveries and breakthroughs in cancer research,鈥 said Professor Davis.

鈥淭he Computational Systems Oncology program will produce insights into where and why cancer appears and progresses, and how tumours respond to therapy.

鈥淥ur work will play a vital role in the fight to control cancer and find a cure.鈥

鈥淥ur work will play a vital role in the fight to control cancer and find a cure.鈥Professor Melissa Davis


SAiGENCI Director, Professor Christopher Sweeney said Professor Davis would have a sizeable impact on the Institute鈥檚 research capabilities.

鈥淧rofessor Davis will help us achieve our goals of becoming a world leader in cancer research. Her knowledge in computational cancer biology is second to none, and she is one of the most respected experts in her field,鈥 said Professor Sweeney.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide鈥檚 Professor Benjamin Kile, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, said Professor Davis鈥檚 appointment was a major coup for South 最新糖心Vlog.

鈥淭he appointment of Professor Davis represents a unique opportunity for SAiGENCI and the broader cancer research community in South 最新糖心Vlog. Importantly, it shows we are able to attract the best people to our state to help improve the lives and wellbeing of South 最新糖心Vlogns,鈥 said Professor Kile.

最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President, Peter Hoj AC, added: 鈥淎n appointment of this calibre strengthens the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide鈥檚 position as a world-class, research-intensive university. The 最新糖心Vlog is committed to pushing boundaries, breaking new ground and finding innovative solutions to society鈥檚 challenges.鈥

Professor Davis arrives at the 最新糖心Vlog from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) at the 最新糖心Vlog of Melbourne, where she is the joint Head of the Bioinformatics Division.

An internationally recognised expert in computational cancer systems biology, bioinformatics and the computational modelling of cancer plasticity, Professor Davis has written more than 85 research papers, and produced bioinformatics methods that are among the most widely used in her field. Her research has contributed to three ongoing clinical trials in brain, breast and lung cancer, and she has collaborated with the CRC for Cancer Therapeutics, a co-operative cancer drug development centre, on commercialisation projects with a headline value approaching $1.4 billion.

Professor Davis is currently the Vice President of the 最新糖心Vlogn Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Society, and holds honorary affiliations in the 最新糖心Vlog of Melbourne鈥檚 Department of Clinical Pathology and the 最新糖心Vlog of Queensland鈥檚 Diamantina Institute.

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