University of Melbourne

Professors Sarah-Jane Dawson, Johanna Joyce, and Charles Swanton join The Mark Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee; veteran biotech leader Wendy Young joins the Industry Advisory Committee NEW YORK, April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing research that transforms the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, proudly announces the appointment of new members to its Scientific Advisory and Industry Advisory Committees. Joining The Mark Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee are distinguished cancer research and clinical oncology experts Sarah-Jane Dawson, MBBS, PhD, of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Centre for Cancer Research University of Melbourne, Australia; Johanna Joyce, PhD, of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research; and Charles Swanton, MBPhD, of the Francis Crick Institute and University College London. All three are highly accomplished investigators in their respective fields of study and are past recipients of prestigious Mark Foundation ASPIRE awards that supported innovative cancer research projects in their labs. Chaired by Ross Levine, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Scientific Advisory Committee is comprised of a stellar group of internationally renowned cancer research experts including Scott Armstrong, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD, of Children's National Hospital; Elaine Mardis, PhD, of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Daniel Nomura, PhD, of University of California, Berkeley, and E. John Wherry, PhD, of University of Pennsylvania. The committee assists the foundation in reviewing its scientific goals and grant applications, as well as providing strategic advice and support for its research programs and investments. "As the foundation accelerates discovery and development of new cancer therapeutics and diagnostics by funding trailblazing science globally, it is critical to engage with the world's leading experts," said Ross Levine, MD. "The outstanding researchers on our advisory committees provide invaluable guidance and insight to help steer its programs toward success and impact." "The Mark Foundation's funding of high-risk, high-impact research is essential in the quest to achieve real breakthroughs in cancer research," said Johanna Joyce, PhD. "I am honored to join the Scientific Advisory Committee, to support the next generations of scientists and projects that will revolutionize treatments for patients." Joining The Mark Foundation Industry Advisory Committee is Wendy Young, PhD, an experienced biopharma and life science executive with a strong track record of drug discovery success. The Industry Advisory Committee, including active members Hans Bitter, PhD; Pamela Carroll, PhD; Dan Hicklin, PhD; and Markus Renschler, MD, brings together highly accomplished biotechnology and pharmaceutical R&D leaders to help advise the foundation's unique approach to funding drug discovery research and to investing in early-stage oncology companies developing cutting edge therapeutics and diagnostics. "We are thrilled and honored to welcome all of these distinguished scientists to our advisory committees," said Ryan Schoenfeld, PhD, CEO of The Mark Foundation . "Their extensive experience will greatly benefit our commitment to funding high-impact cancer research and bringing discoveries to patients." New Advisory Committee Member brief biographies: Sarah-Jane Dawson, MBBS, FRACP, PhD is a professor and clinician-scientist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Centre for Cancer Research at the University of Melbourne. She is the co-program head of the Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Program and Group Leader of the Molecular Biomarkers and Translational Genomics Laboratory. Professor Dawson is also a fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Her research program centers on developing noninvasive blood-based biomarkers ("liquid biopsies") for clinical application, including early detection, risk stratification and disease monitoring in cancer management to improve patient outcomes. Johanna Joyce, PhD, FAACR is a Full Professor at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and Full Member of the international Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. She previously served as the inaugural Executive Director of the multi-institutional Agora Cancer Centre for translational research in Lausanne until 2021. Prior to relocating her lab to Switzerland in 2016, she was a Full Member at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a Full Professor at Weill Cornell Medical School in New York. Professor Joyce's research investigates the microenvironment in which a tumor arises and the critical influence that non-cancerous immune and stromal cells can have on tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response. Charles Swanton, MBPhD, FRCP, FMedSci, FAACR, FRS is Deputy Clinical Director at the Francis Crick Institute and Senior Principal Investigator of the Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory. He is also the Royal Society Napier Professor in Cancer and a thoracic oncologist at University College London Hospitals, Chief Clinician of Cancer Research UK, and Chief Investigator of the TRACERx clinical study to decipher lung cancer evolution. Professor Swanton's research focuses on the branched evolutionary histories of solid tumors, processes that drive cancer cell-to-cell variation in the form of new cancer mutations or chromosomal instabilities, and the impact of such cancer diversity on effective immune surveillance and clinical outcome. Wendy Young, PhD is a biotech executive with more than 30 years of experience in the discovery and development of new medicines for patients. She currently serves as a Board Member and Scientific Advisor at several biotech companies and is an Advisor at Google Ventures. Previously, Wendy was the Senior Vice President, Small Molecule Drug Discovery, at Genentech where she actively built and led the research & discovery organization. Under her leadership, more than 25 clinical candidates progressed into development. Additionally, Wendy led the BTK discovery program and is co-inventor of fenebrutinib, which is currently in Phase 3 trials for multiple sclerosis. Prior to joining Genentech, Wendy held leadership roles at Celera Genomics and Scios, a J&J company. Follow these links for more on the entire Mark Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee and Industry Advisory Committee. About The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, a charitable organization based in New York City, actively partners with scientists worldwide to accelerate research that will transform cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Since 2017, The Mark Foundation has awarded over $220 million in grants to investigators at more than 100 academic institutions across 16 countries, with research programs focusing on early career support, team science collaboration, new technology innovation, and therapeutics discovery. Additionally, The Mark Foundation maintains a growing portfolio of investments in early-stage cancer diagnostics and therapeutics companies, including several that have transitioned from grantee projects into commercial development. To learn more, please visit . Contact: Linda Heaney [email protected] SOURCE The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research

Funding worth A$6.5 million ($4 million) has been awarded to four genomics-focused research projects led by researchers from the University of Melbourne. These include a project that will establish a patient dataset of inherited retinal diseases; a rapid multi-omic liquid biopsy blood test using whole genome sequencing; research using next-generation sequencing to develop new solutions to endometrial-related health problems, such as abnormal menstrual bleeding, infertility and pregnancy disorders; and a study using genomic testing and predictive disease modelling for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Backed by The Advanced Genomics Collaboration (TAGC), these projects will have access to DNA sequencing technology by Illumina at the TAGC genomics hub. Another genomics-related research has received A$8 million ($5 million) in funding from the Snow Medical Research Foundation. Led by University of Queensland researchers, the project seeks to use genomics to enable doctors to accurately predict a patient's risk of developing chronic diseases decades before the onset of any symptoms. The study will analyse DNA sequences from millions of participants, focusing on people with diverse ancestries. Researchers from Monash University have created an AI software that can complete an MRI scan 10 times faster than typical MRI scanners, which take up to 60 minutes to process images. Called McSTRA, the software uses deep learning to enhance MRI image quality simultaneously. "When tested on abnormalities in the knee, our research showed that McSTRA could complete scans 10 times faster, and produced clearer, more clinically accurate diagnostic imaging compared to the latest technology," shared Mevan Ekanayake, lead researcher and a PhD candidate from the university's Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering. Each year, over 30 million Australians access diagnostic services. Given the high volume of demand, some of them are forced to wait weeks to secure appointments, causing significant delays in receiving diagnoses. "Speeding up scan times at this rate could eliminate patient wait times and has the potential to save lives by enabling more timely and accurate diagnoses and treatment monitoring. Our method could also reduce diagnostic risks in MRI and cut costs to the healthcare system," Ekanayake claimed.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC), the country's largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, has named Andrew Baird as senior vice president of public policy, legislation and regulations. Baird brings nearly 20 years of experience to his role as SVP of public policy, legislation and regulations, which includes his tenure as director of governmental affairs for the Company. Most recently, Baird served as vice president of government affairs and policy counsel of Enhabit Home Health and Hospice. In this role, he led all advocacy, government affairs and public policy matters. Prior to joining Encompass Health in 2014, he served as an associate at Christian & Barton, LLP in the firm's health care and life sciences practice. Baird earned his bachelor's degree from Trinity College and juris doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He began his new role with the Company on January 29, 2024. About Encompass Health Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 160 hospitals in 37 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Media Contact: Kennedi Spurling | 205 970 5912 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Mark Miller | 205 970 5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.