Peter Mac congratulates Professor Graham Lieschke and Professor Gail Risbridger on being named Members of the Order of Australia (AM) in today's Australia Day Honours list.

Peter Mac clinical and research haematologist Professor Lieschke has been honoured for significant service to medicine as a haematologist, and to medical research. Professor Lieschke treats people with leukaemia and lymphoma at Peter Mac and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and runs a laboratory at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University. Recognised globally for his research into blood disorders and cancer using zebrafish and mice, he has published over 100 scientific papers and co-edited 2 books. Alongside collaborators he recently identified a rare genetic cause of a haematology condition that results in high blood counts and early onset autoimmune disease.

An NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow, Professor Risbridger leads an internationally recognised research team of scientists and clinicians as a Group Leader in the Prostate Cancer Research Program (Immunology) at Peter Mac. She has been awarded her medal for significant service to medical research and administration, and to education. As one of Australia’s leading authorities in prostate cancer and men’s health, Professor Risbridger has over 290 publications in elite journals. She also leads a research laboratory at Monash University, and has a long and impressive track record of student supervision.

Additionally, Professor Mary-Jane Gething was named an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, for distinguished service to biochemistry and molecular biology, to tertiary education and to the arts. Professor Gething contributes to judging Peter Mac's Joseph F. Sambrook Prize for Research Excellence each year, in memory of her husband. Professor Sambrook was a pivotal figure in Peter Mac history - as Research Director he grew Peter Mac’s scientific staff from around 75 to 200 and founded ground-breaking programs in cancer genetics and molecular pathology.

In extending his congratulations, Governor General David Hurley said, “The recipients have had a significant impact at the local, national and international level and are, quite simply, inspiring,”

“They go above and beyond, are from all over the country, and contribute every day in every way imaginable. These are the people who see us through good times and bad. They’re the first to show up and the last to leave."

Thank you Professors, for your enormous contributions to the advancement of cancer research and treatment.