Keynote speakers for annual Women in Science Symposium revealed
14 January 2025
Peter Mac’s popular celebration of women researchers will take place on Friday 28 February.
Held in advance of International Women’s Day each year, the half day free event is open to the public and will feature two keynote addresses.
Peter Mac medical oncologist and clinical researcher Professor Shahneen Sandhu, and Victoria’s first ever Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent will spearhead the 2025 program. Several invited speakers will be announced soon.
Speakers will reflect on their personal experiences and examine the current equity context in Australia’s health and medical research fields. They will highlight the value of supporting women in research careers to thrive, through the lens of their own boundary-pushing work.
Read more about the 2025 keynote speakers below.
Hosted by Peter Mac researchers and former Lea Medallists Associate Professor Laura Forrest and Dr Lorey Smith, the 2025 Lea Medals will be presented at the symposium.
The Lea Medal recognises excellence in Peter Mac early and mid-career researchers who identify as women, providing $50,000 for career advancement opportunities thanks to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
Colleagues of all gender identities from across the Australian research community are invited to listen, learn, and connect, at this positive and forward-thinking celebration.
Register here to attend in person or online.
More exciting speakers will be announced soon.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Professor Shahneen Sandhu
Consultant Medical Oncologist and researcher, Peter Mac
Professor Sandhu is a key member of the Melanoma and Uro-oncology units at Peter Mac. She leads clinical, translational and laboratory research in skin cancers and prostate cancer. Her major focus is on designing and conducting biologically driven clinical trials, translating laboratory findings into new clinical treatments and studying biomarkers of response and resistance to treatment. Professor Sandhu sits on multiple international advisory panels and has been principal investigator on multiple investigator-initiated and practise-changing registration studies in melanoma and prostate cancer. Over her career to date, Professor Sandhu has received multiple awards and published over 220 peer-reviewed research articles - several in high-impact journals. She is passionate about advancing gender equity and mentoring young female researchers to build their own successful careers.
Dr Niki Vincent
Victoria’s Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner
Dr Niki Vincent become Victoria’s first Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner in 2020 and was reappointed for a second term in 2024. She oversees implementation of Victoria’s Gender Equality Act, playing a key leadership role in promoting gender equality in communities and workplaces. Dr Vincent has a wealth of experience in gender equality and organisational leadership, having established two successful not-for-profit organisations and has led major programs of academic research. Dr Vincent has met with hundreds of organisations across the state to support their efforts for a fairer future for women and girls. She is dedicated to reducing the harms that result from gender inequality and using data to guide and track our progress.
Peter Mac Women in Science Symposium
and Lea Medal ceremony 2025
Friday 28 February
9.30am - 12.30pm
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Level 7
305 Grattan Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Live streaming link also available
Register here