Community Insights into Melanoma Research
An evening of melanoma research, discovery and community
Thank you for being part of the Melanoma Research Victoria (MRV) community. We invite you to a special evening that brings together MRV participants, melanoma survivors, families, community, consumers, clinicians, researchers, and scientists united by a shared commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by melanoma.
This is an opportunity to see the impact of your contribution to research. Hear from the researchers using the data and biospecimens generously donated by MRV participants and learn how these contributions are helping drive new discoveries.
Throughout the evening, you will:
Explore the latest developments in melanoma research from Victoria and around the world.
Discover how MRV has supported impactful research projects over the past 12 months.
Learn how consumers are partnering with researchers.
Take part interactive panel discussion exploring the question:
Is AI ready to outperform the professionals, and can we trust AI in medicine?
A highlight of the evening, as always will be the presentation of the Morgan Mansell Young Victorian Melanoma Researcher of the Year Award. Hear from this year's finalists and join us for the announcement of the 2026 winner. This award honors the memory of Morgan Mansell, whose passion for supporting melanoma research continues to inspire the next generation of researchers.
Finialists:
Dr Lewis AU - Spatial colocalization of tissue-resident T cells is prognostic for disease-free survival in earlystage melanoma
Ms Tawany De Carvalho Gil - Tumour AntigenSpecific Antibody Signatures as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Melanoma
Dr Jack Edwards - Expansion of a circulating Ki67positive effector T-cell population following combined PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade for melanoma is predictive of treatment response.
Whether you are an MRV participant, melanoma survivor, carer, researcher, or clinician we invite you to join us for an evening of learning and conversation about the future of melanoma research.
This event is free to attend however registrations are essential.
We look forward to sharing our work with you.
Lineup
Dr Karin Innes
MRV Governance Member Consumer Representative, Dr Innes is a Biotechnology Patent Attorney, a strategist, a partner at FB Rice, a top tier leading Australian Intellectual Property firm. Dr Innes' technical knowledge covers a range of technologies including stem cells, immunology, CAR-T/DC cell technology, antibodies, aptamers, medical devices, diagnostics, PCR technology, women’s health, gene therapy and virology. She is the CIRM event Chair.
Dr Miles Andrews
A Consultant Medical Oncologist at Alfred Care Group of Bayside Health, Dr Andrews is a NHMRC Early Career Fellow at Monash University, and a leader in melanoma and cancer immunotherapy research, with expertise in skin, chest, and head and neck cancers. His work focuses on understanding how tumour genomics, immunity, and biomarkers influence cancer treatment outcomes, and he leads several translational research and melanoma registry projects through WEHI’s Personalised Oncology Division.
Alison Button-Sloan
MRV Consumer Advisor, Alison has 12 years advocacy experience, is a stage II melanoma survivor. She is a member of many consumer and research organisations, including the Cancer Council Australia Melanoma Guidelines Management Committee, National Targeted Melanoma Screen Program Roadmap and the Australian and Skin Cancer Alliance. She has co-authored journal articles and is an associate investigator.
Dr Andrea Di Pietro
A Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Neeson Lab at Peter Mac, Dr Di Pietro's research focuses on understanding how immune cells, particularly tissue-resident memory T cells, contribute to melanoma and other diseases. He has a Cancer Research Midcareer Fellowship of Victoria and is internationally recognised work in immunology spans antiviral immunity, B cell biology, and antibody development, with publications in leading journals and experience in both academic research and biotechnology.
Dr David Speakman OAM
A surgical oncologist at Peter Mac, Dr David Speakman OAM works in the Breast and Melanoma & Skin Services. Peter Mac's former Chief Medical Officer, he is currently State Clinical Director of BreastScreen Victoria, the Deputy Chair of the NHMRC non-melanoma skin guidelines committee. He contributes to national cancer care, government advisories, quality, and clinical guideline committees.
Dr Friyana Bhabha
A dermatologist at Caulfield Dermatology, Dr Bhabha is also a Visiting Medical Officer at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre where she works in the multidisciplinary cutaneous lymphoma clinic. She has a clinical and research interest in cutaneous lymphoma, with a focus on improving treatment and patient care. She has published in Australian and international dermatology journals and is committed to providing holistic, personalised care.
Dr Noor E Karishma Shaik
The founder and CEO of DeepDerm, Dr Shaik is a Melbourne-based health technology company out of University of Melbourne to support earlier skin cancer detection in primary care. She also holds an honorary appointment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and is currently partnering with MoleMap Australia & New Zealand Pty Ltd to assess how AI performs in real time at skin cancer clinics. Her work is supported by Google, Innovation Victoria Fellowship, CSIRO ON Accelerate and Australia Economic Accelerator grants.
Peter Gourlay
MRV Consumer Advisor, Peter is an active patient advocate holding positions on the Peter Mac's Community Advisory Committee, Human Research Ethics Committee, Clinical Ethics Advisory Group and is one of four consumer facilitators involved int he our Thoughts Matter program. He has a professional background in education, project management, consumer engagement and social justice, and these days he enjoys being a Civil Celebrant. He is a proud gay man and is a member of Peter Mac’s Pride Network. At home he enjoys a busy life with Bernie, his partner of 25 years.
Dr George Au-Yeung
A Medical Oncologist and Clinician Researcher at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Dr Au-Yeung has a research interest in molecular biology of ovarian cancer as well as running novel biomarker driven clinical trials and translational research. He is also the current co-Deputy Director of Medical Oncology, and the co-Chief Medical Informatics Officer, overseeing portfolios including trainee education and wellbeing, optimisation of the electronic medical record, and supporting the digital health strategy.
Prof Mark Shackleton
The Director of Oncology at Alfred Care Group of Bayside Health and Head of Cancer Medicine at Monash University, Co-Director of the Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, and Chair of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Ltd.. Professor Shackleton's clinical and research interests spanning melanoma, skin cancer, immuno-oncology, early-phase clinical trials, and cancer genomics.
FAQs
- Who should attend this event?
This community event is designed for MRV participants, patients, survivors, carers, melanoma consumer representatives, researchers, clinicians, students, staff from collaborating sites, peak bodies, advisory groups, partner organizations and anyone committed to improving melanoma outcomes!
- Can I ask questions?
Absolutely. There will be opportunity throughout the evening to ask questions.
- Will this event be catered?
Yes. Light refreshments will be provided prior to the commencement of the event from 5PM.
- Will I receive a calender invitation?
A calendar invitation will be included in your confirmation email.
- Accessibility requirements.
This venue is wheelchair accessible and there is accessible parking available the Peter Mac carpark. Visit for more information Peter Mac Melbourne campus - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
- Will be available online?
Whilst you are encouraged to attend in person to experience the interactive nature of the program, the event will be available via Teams for those joining from home. Select the online option when registering and a link will be sent to your email.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
