One of Australia’s most distinguished cancer biologists, Professor Suzanne Cory, was awarded the prestigious Curtin Medal at a ceremony at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at ANU on Monday 24 August 2009.
The award recognised Professor Cory’s groundbreaking research on the molecular genetics of cancer and her lifelong contribution to research in the fields of molecular biology and biotechnology.
Her research looks at how changes in genes contribute to cancer development. In particular, Cory and her colleagues have shown that the development of tumours involves mutations that antagonise the natural cell death pathway.
Professor Cory was the first woman appointed Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, in Melbourne, and served as the Deputy Chairman of the CSIRO Board. She is a strong advocate for science education, an adviser to government on science and biotechnology and an excellent role model for other women scientists in Australia.
The Curtin Medal is awarded annually by the John Curtin School of Medical Research to an Australian that has made an outstanding contribution to medical science and will be presented by Director, Professor Frances Shannon and ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Cram.
Following the medal presentation, Professor Cory presented a seminar entitled, ‘The Bcl-2 family in cancer development and treatment’.
