I lead the Cancer and Inflammaroty laboratory at teh School of Cancer Medicine/Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI), as a current NHMRC Investigator Grant (Level 3) recipient.

My team is identifying novel molecular targets to help improve anti-tumour immune responses against solid malignancies using a combination of approaches that encompass insights from transcriptomal, biochemical, cellular, and preclinical models alongside data from cancer patients.   

Following from my PhD at the Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich, Switzerland, I received postdoctoral training at the Merck Sharp Dohme Research Laboratories in Pennsylvania in the area of bone biology. 

With the aim of extending my studies into the molecular mechanisms that underpin the growth of cancer cells I joined the laboratory of Prof Ashley Dunn at the Melbourne-Parkville Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR).

In 1996 I returned to Switzerland, taking a position with Novartis as the Deputy Head for Bone Biology Research Department. I was invited back to LICR in 1998 as Group Leader and was appointed Acting Director in 2009.

In 2012 I moved to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, where I continued to explore state-of-the-art molecular biology and genetic tools to understand mechanism that corrupt the normal renewal of the lining of the bowel and stomach and result in the formation of tumours. Since joining ONJCRI in late 2014, my laboratory team is exploring novel strategies to target these mechanisms and develop new therapies and treatments for gastrointestinal cancers for the benefit of cancer patients.

Since stepping down from my ONJCRI responsibilities as director (2015-2022), I focus my efforts on the discovery and translational aspects of my groups' research, while continuig to mentor abd support colleagues and emerging leaders.