CREST Health Economics Symposium 2026
Description
***Registrations have now closed. If you would like to request a late registration, please contact us at crest@uts.edu.au***
Valuing outcomes, improving lives: the impact of cancer clinical trials
The Cancer Research Economics Support Team (CREST) is pleased to announce the first Health Economics in Cancer Research Symposium.
This symposium brings together researchers, clinicians, consumers and health economists to explore the critical role that health economics plays in cancer research and in shaping healthcare funding decisions. Throughout the day, we will showcase cancer clinical trials in which CREST has been involved, highlighting the approaches, successes and challenges of embedding health economics into trial design and evaluation.
The program will feature presentations on real‑world trials — demonstrating how:
economic evidence can guide decision‑making,
patient outcomes can be improved, and
the value proposition of cancer interventions can be strengthened
Speakers will share insights from their own work, offering practical examples of how health economics contributes to trial impact and translation.
This is a free event, with a particular focus on supporting early and mid‑career researchers. The symposium aims to foster collaboration, build capability and spark discussion about the future of health economics in cancer research.
Event Details
Date: Friday, 4 September 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM AEST
Location: Aerial Function Centre (Harris Room) – UTS Building 10
Theme: Valuing outcomes, improving lives: the impact of cancer clinical trials
Join us for a day of learning, connection and shared expertise as we explore how health economics can help shape Australian cancer care.
Lineup
Mathias Bressel
Mathias Bressel is a Senior Statistician at the Centre for Biostatistics and Clinical Trials (BaCT), Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and an Honorary Senior Fellow in The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology at the University of Melbourne. He has 25 years of experience in biostatistics and clinical trials, including 16 years dedicated to oncology. Mathias works across all phases of clinical trials and treatment modalities, with particular expertise in prostate, lung, breast, head & neck, and gynaecological cancers.
Pascale Guitera
Professor Pascale Guitera is Director of the Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a faculty member of the Melanoma Institute Australia. She is holding her academic position at the University of Sydney with a particular interest in new diagnostic tools for skin cancers.
Sarah Norris
Sarah Norris is an Associate Professor of Health Technology Assessment at the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data at the University of Sydney. She is Co-Deputy Chair of the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) and Chair of the MSAC Evaluation Subcommittee (ESC). Sarah has almost 30 years' experience evaluating the clinical, economic and financial aspects of all types of health technologies and services (including medicines, cell and gene therapies, medical tests, medical devices, and public health programs) across all areas of health, for the purpose of developing clinical practice guidelines and informing public funding decisions.
Sibel Saya
Dr Sibel Saya is a senior research fellow, academic genetic counsellor and interim co-lead of the Cancer in Primary Care research group at the Department of General Practice and Primary Care and Collaborative Centre for Cancer Genomic Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Dr Saya is also a Victorian Cancer Agency Early Career Fellow. Her research focusses on genomic predisposition to cancer and how risk prediction can be used to target population cancer screening, in particular within a primary care setting
Karin Thursky
Professor Karin Thursky (MBBS, BSc, MD, FRACP, FAHMS, FAIDH) is an infectious diseases physician and health services researcher who has over 25 years’ experience in the fields of antimicrobial stewardship, digital health and infections in cancer. She has successfully implemented and scaled programs to improve the quality and safety of healthcare and has influenced national policy and practice in AMS. At the Peter MacCallum Cancer Hospital, Professor Thursky is the founding director of the Centre for Health Services Research in Cancer. In her role at the Doherty Institute, she leads the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship which takes a One Health approach to AMS across all human and animal health sectors. She is also the Director of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Guidance Group which develops information technology to support antimicrobial stewardship including the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey platform which is a key contributor to the Australian CDC AMR strategy.
FAQs
- Do I need a health economics background to attend?
Not at all. We're looking to bring together researchers, clinicians, patient-advocates and professionals from across the cancer research community - health economics, not a prerequisite!
You might be new to health economics, curious or an expert - if you have an interest in how health economics shapes research and funding decisions, you'll get a lot from the day's presentations.
- What is a CTG member and do I need to be one?
To attend this event, you'll need to be a CTG member.
There are 14 Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups (CTGs) in Australia. Cancer clinical trials are developed by these groups and conduct world-class, multi-disciplinary research for cancer care.
- Is there an option to attend virtually?
Unfortunately, not. This is an in-person-only event designed for conversation, networking, and collaborative energy. We hope you can make it!
- Can I submit an abstract to this symposium?
We're not accepting abstracts for this symposium. We've carefully curated a lineup of speakers we've collaborated with on previous projects and research. There will be plenty of opportunities on the day to get involved and discuss your perspectives and questions.
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