2026 Clinical Fellowship Projects

What is the Clinical Fellowship Program

Developing new research ideas and supporting the next generation of researchers is at the heart of the Clinical Fellowship Program.

The Program is aimed at early career researchers, who have a high-level interest in clinical research, appropriate qualifications, and are working in the disciplines of medical oncology, pathology, psychology and other supportive care specialties, radiation oncology, radiology or surgery.

Fellows work on projects that are directly relevant to Breast Cancer Trials (BCT) that potentially involve:

• Research that will inform future trials including background and pilot work;
• Work on existing or future planned BCT clinical trials;
• Further analysis of data from existing trials; and
• Other projects that are related to the BCT Research Strategy.

In the fifth year of the program, two new Fellowships have been awarded and two Fellowships from previous years are continuing:

Dr Caroline MacCallum (Surgical Oncologist) – CBI at Diagnosis of Screen-Detected Early Breast Cancer and DCIS

The hypothesis is that the integration of CEM and MRI in the assessment of screen-detected early breast cancer will provide more comprehensive and specific diagnosis, thereby ensuring appropriate management of both index and additional malignancies at the time of diagnosis and improving long-term oncological outcomes. The aims are to:

• Evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEM and MRI in the assessment of patients with screen-detected early breast cancer.
• Determine the impact of CEM or MRI on treatment decisions.

More information about this fellowship project will be made available over the upcoming months.

Dr Julia Dixon-Douglass (Translational Researcher) – UNRAVEL-TNBC: Uncovering Regulators of Response and Resistance to Immunotherapy in Early-Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer

The overall aim is to identify potential biomarkers to individually tailor neoadjuvant immunotherapy in early-stage TNBC. The specific aims to be investigated separately for each cohort are to:

• Investigate baseline characteristics of the tumour-immune micro-environment (TME) associated with pCR and recurrence-free survival.
• Investigate baseline composition of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood associated with pCR and survival.
• Investigate on-treatment dynamics in peripheral immunity and tumour immune microenvironment associated with pCR and recurrence-free survival.
• Correlate features of peripheral immunity with features of the tumour-microenvironment associated with response.

More information about this fellowship project will be made available over the upcoming months.

Dr Michelle Li (Medical Oncologist) – Identifying Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Resistance to ADCs in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a new type of treatment for advanced breast cancer. They work by using special antibodies to deliver chemotherapy directly to the cancer cells. One example, called trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), has been very helpful for certain types of breast cancer, like HER2-low and HER2-positive.

Other ADCs, like datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) and sacituzumab govitecan (SG), are also working well for other types of breast cancer, like HR+/HER2- and triple-negative breast cancer.

Even though ADCs have benefits, they also have some challenges. Sometimes, cancer cells can change in ways that make the treatment less effective. The treatment can also cause side effects that make it difficult for some patients to adhere to their treatment plan or reduce their quality of life.

Ongoing research at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is exploring potential biomarkers for ADC-related side effects, particularly the role of Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) in T-DXd-induced nausea and weight loss. If successful, this research could lead to changes in targeted therapies that reduce chemotherapy side effects, enhancing patient quality of life.

Click here for more information or to listen to our podcast with Dr Michelle Li.

Ms Kathleene Dower (Radiation Therapist) – Coaching and Education for Deep Inspiration Breath Hold

Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a breathing technique used during radiation therapy for breast cancer. It helps move the heart away from radiation, protecting it from damage.

DIBH requires patients to actively hold their breath, which can be difficult, especially for those experiencing anxiety. Studies show that better education and coaching can improve patient confidence and ability to complete DIBH. However, in rural areas, access to coaching is often limited.

This study will test whether virtual reality (VR) coaching and education can help patients learn DIBH more effectively. The VR experience will show patients what to expect during treatment, provide breath-holding practice, and be available both at the clinic and at home. The study will measure:

1. Feasibility – Can patients comfortably hold their breath for at least 20 seconds after VR training?
2. Acceptability – Do patients find the VR training helpful in learning DIBH and understanding their treatment?

The project will also explore adapting VR education for Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese-speaking patients. The findings will help design a larger study to further test the benefits of VR coaching for breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

Click here for more information or to listen to our podcast with Kathleene Dower.