Our committees are comprised of 155 dedicated members.
Members who actively contribute as committee members are the driving force behind conducting research infused with innovation, passion and goodwill. They also help ensure that we have robust and transparent processes for research development and funding.
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Research Executive Committee
The Research Executive Committee (REC) oversees the research strategy, governance and operations for our research portfolio, and reports to the Board.
The REC was established in August 2025, merging the former Research Operations and Scientific Advisory Committees to streamline concept development and maximise member input.
The role of the REC is to contribute to organisational strategy, prioritise prospective GI Cancer Trials-sponsored research, review and provide final approval of developed concepts, and oversee the trial portfolio.
Members comprise the Chair and Deputy Chair from the following committees:
- Upper GI Working Party (UGIWP)
- Lower GI Working Party (LGIWP)
- HPB Working Party (HPBWP)
- International Development Committee (IDC)
- Translational Research Committee (TRC)
- Community Advisory Panel (CAP)
- Aotearoa New Zealand Committee (ANZC)
Chair
Professor Chris Karapetis
Medical Oncologist
Deputy Chair
A/Prof Dan Croagh
Surgeon (Hepato-Pancreo-Biliary)
Members
A/Professor Amitesh Roy
Medical Oncologist
Professor Jeanne Tie
Medical Oncologist
A/Professor Cherry Koh
Surgeon
Professor Tim Price
Medical Oncologist
Dr David Lau
Medical Oncologist
Professor Vicki Whitehall
Translational Researcher
A/Professor Oliver Sieber
Translational Researcher
Gemma Farquhar
Deputy Chair, Community Advisory Panel
Jodie Collins
Chair, Community Advisory Panel
Dr Anne O’Donnell
Medical Oncologist
Working Parties
The Working Parties are a critical part of our research development process. There are three of them, specialising in upper GI, lower GI, and HPB research, respectively.
Members of the Working Parties represent the disciplines of medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, statistics, translational science, study coordination, allied health and community.
The Working Parties meet to:
- develop and/or facilitate new clinical research concepts
- review the scientific merit of research proposals
- explore funding and feasibility opportunities
- nominate Study Chairs and Trial Management Committee members.
The Upper GI Working Party focuses on cancers of the oesophagus and stomach. It is chaired by Associate Professor Amitesh Roy. An Expression of Interest is currently open for the Deputy Chair role.
The Lower GI Working Party focuses on cancers of the bowel, small bowel, rectum and anus. It is chaired by Professor Jeanne Tie, with Deputy Chair Associate Professor Cherry Koh.
In October 2025, the HPB Working Party was established to acknowledge the specialised expertise required for gallbladder and bile duct, pancreas and liver. Members of this new committee are currently being finalised.
Working Parties are elected in accordance with our Constitution.
Chair
Associate Professor Amitesh Roy
Medical Oncologist
Deputy Chair
Vacancy
Members
Associate Professor Lara Lipton
Medical Oncologist
Associate Professor Adnan Nagrial
Medical Oncologist
Professor Nick Pavlakis
Medical Oncologist
Dr Shehara Mendis
Medical Oncologist
Dr Ankit Jain
Medical Oncologist
Dr Matthew Loft
Medical Oncologist
Associate Professor Sweet Ping Ng
Radiation Oncologist
Dr Su Chen Fong
Radiation Oncologist
Dr Numan Kutaiba
Radiology
Associate Professor Charles Pilgrim
Surgeon
Associate Professor Amany Zekry
Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
Associate Professor Charbel Sandroussi
Upper GI and HPB Surgeon
Jodie Collins
Chair of Community Advisory Panel
Brooklynn Dowling
Member, Community Advisory Panel
Belinda Steer
Senior Dietician
Hannah Rigby
Senior Dietician
Professor John Mariadason
Translational Science
Associate Professor Nicholas Clemons
Translational Science
Prof Rachel Neale
Epidemiologist
Dr Norma Bulamu
Research Fellow, Health Economist
Dr Marjan Naeini
Bioinformatics
Chairs and members of this committee are still being finalised. Confirmed members include the below listed.
Members
Nicole Kroesche
Member, Community Advisory Panel
Margaret Whitson
Member, Community Advisory Panel
Prof Liang Qiao
Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist
Prof Jacob George
Hepatologist
A/Prof Tony Pang
HPB surgeon
A/Prof Dan Croagh
HPB surgeon
Prof Lorraine Chantrill
Medical Oncologist (ECR)
Dr Bella Nguyen
Medical Oncologist (ECR)
Dr Belinda Lee
Medical Oncologist (ECR)
Dr George Iatropoulos
Medical Oncologist (ECR)
Dr Violet Koh
Radiation Oncologist (ECR)
Dr Yuvnik Trada
Radiation Oncologist (ECR)
Dr Manil Chouhan
Radiologist
A/Prof Marina Pajic
Translational Researcher
A/Prof Tracy Putoczki
Translational Researcher
Anshu Kumar
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Suzzanna Fettell
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Dr Marjan Naeini
Bioinformatics
Dr Norma Bulamu
Research Fellow, Health Economist
Prof Rachel Neale
Epidemiologist
Dr Kate Furness
Dietitian
Chair
Professor Jeanne Tie
Medical Oncologist
Deputy Chair
Associate Professor Cherry Koh
Surgeon
Members
Associate Professor Connie Diakos
Medical Oncologist
Associate Professor Matthew Burge
Medical Oncologist
Professor Niall Tebbutt
Medical Oncologist
Associate Professor Sina Vatandoust
Medical Oncologist
Professor Steve Ackland
Medical Oncologist
Professor Tim Price
Medical Oncologist
Dr Zee Wan Wong
Medical Oncologist
Dr Megan Barnet
Medical Oncologist
Dr Mark Nalder
Medical Oncologist
Dr Julie Chu
Radiation Oncologist
Dr Deborah Wright
Surgeon
Dr Corina Behrenbruch
Surgeon
Bruce Cheek
Member, Community Advisory Panel
Katrina Kendall
Member, Community Advisory Panel
Kristy-Lee Raso
Dietitian
Professor Joanne Bowen
Translational Science
Professor Rob Ramsay
Translational Science
Dr Simon Wilkins
Surgical Translational Researcher
A/Prof Hannah Wardill
Translational Science
Prof Rachel Neale
Epidemiologist
Dr Norma Bulamu
Research Fellow, Health Economist
Dr Kirsten Gormly
Radiologist
Dr Marjan Naeini
Bioinformatics
Community Advisory Panel
The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) provides advice on general research directions and priorities, from the perspective of patients, carers and families impacted by GI cancer, as well as identifying unmet needs in the community.
Established in 2008, the Community Advisory Panel (CAP) comprises GI cancer survivors, patients and carers. As a volunteer group, the CAP provides advice on general research directions and priorities, from the perspective of patients, carers and families impacted by GI cancer, as well as identifying unmet needs in the community.
This unique relationship between community advocates and medical professionals contributes significantly to the improvement of treatments for people with GI cancer.
Key activities include the review of new trial concepts, identification of gaps in research, assistance to ease the understanding of trial patient information and consent forms, and advice on patient recruitment strategies.
The CAP also supports GI Cancer Trials with initiatives such as fundraising appeals and the Gutsy Challenge.
Chair
Jodie Collins
Lived experience: Colorectal cancer
Deputy Chair
Gemma Farquhar
Lived experience: Colorectal cancer
Members
Geoff Parnell
Lived experience: Oesophageal cancer
Bruce Cheek
Lived experience: Colorectal cancer
Shari Reid
Lived experience: GIST
Christie Ah-Fa
Lived experience: Pancreatic cancer (carer)
Brooklynn Dowling
Lived experience: Oesophageal cancer (family)
Stephen Deed
Lived experience: Stomach cancer
Margaret Whitson
Lived experience: Cancer support
Mark McConnell
Lived experience: Colorectal cancer
Katrina Kendall
Lived experience: Colorectal cancer
Nicole Kroesche
Lived experience: Ampullary cancer (family)
Nick Verry
Lived experience: Gastro-oesophageal cancer
Translational Research Committee
The Translational Research Committee (TRC) oversees our translational research (TR) program. Its members are experts in the fields of biological research, medical oncology, surgery and pathology.
The TRC’s key role is to direct the TR program, be actively involved in developing TR substudies as part of our trials, and review access requests from researchers to existing biospecimens. The Committee’s open dialogue leads to the development of a common language, interaction and commitment to translational research by a broad range of medical specialists, researchers and consumers.
Established in early 2022, the TRC represent a group of people who share a common goal: to improve GI cancer patient care through innovative translational research.
The TRC is elected in accordance with our Constitution. View the Terms of Reference
Chair
Professor Vicki Whitehall
Translational Researcher
Deputy Chair
A/Professor Oliver Sieber
Translational Researcher
Members
Jeff Cuff
UNSW Labs, Community Member
A/Professor Nick Clemons
Translational Researcher
Dr Ben Dwyer
Translational Researcher
Dr Angela Chou
Translational Researcher/Pathologist
Dr Connie Diakos
Translational Researcher/Medical Oncologist
Dr Silke Neumann
Translational Researcher
Dr Melanie McCoy
Translational Researcher
Dr Sarah Maloney
Translational Researcher/Medical Oncologist
A/Professor Sharon Pattison
Translational Researcher/Medical Oncologist
A/Professor Thomas Cox
Translational Researcher
A/Professor Sina Vatandoust
Translational Researcher/Medical Oncologist
A/Professor Susan Woods
Translational Researcher
Dr Fiona Chionh
Translational Researcher/Medical Oncologist
Professor Joanne Bowen
Translational Researcher
A/Professor Tara Roberts
Translational Researcher
Professor Karyn Paringatai
Māori Researcher
Ms Kahurangi Tipene
Māori Researcher
International Development Committee
The International Development Committee (IDC) fosters and facilitates bipartisan participation in our research with large groups or individual centres outside of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
GI Cancer Trials is a recognised leader in clinical trial research, promoting and coordinating large-scale, multicentre clinical trials.
The International Development Committee (IDC) fosters and facilitates bipartisan participation in our research with large groups or individual centres outside of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The IDC is elected in accordance with our Constitution. View the Terms of Reference
Chair
Professor Tim Price
Medical Oncologist
Deputy Chair
Dr David Lau
Medical Oncologist
Members
Professor Chris Karapetis
Medical Oncologist
Professor Jeanne Tie
Medical Oncologist
A/Professor Matthew Burge
Medical Oncologist
A/Professor Sina Vatandoust
Medical Oncologist
A/Professor Margaret Lee
Medical Oncologist
Dr Belinda Lee
Medical Oncologist
Dr John Mak
Medical Oncologist/GI Cancer Trials Clinical Research Fellow
A/Professor Manju Chandrasegaram
Surgeon
A/Professor Cherry Koh
Surgeon
Dr Helen Mohan
Surgeon
Dr Siobhan McKay
Surgeon
Professor Puma Sundaresan
Radiation Oncologist
Aotearoa New Zealand Committee
The Aotearoa New Zealand Committee (ANZC) aids the development and conduct of our research in Aotearoa New Zealand. Its members are experts in the fields of medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery translational research and allied health.
The Aotearoa New Zealand Committee (ANZC) aids the development and conduct of our research in Aotearoa New Zealand. Its members are experts in the fields of medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery translational research and allied health.
The ANZC’s role is to identify clinical trials that may be of benefit to GI cancer patients in Aotearoa New Zealand, assess and explore the feasibility of Aotearoa New Zealand site participation and local funding.
The ANZC is elected in accordance with GI Cancer Trials Constitution. View the Terms of Reference
Chair
Dr Anne O’Donnell
Medical Oncologist
Members
Dr Ben Lawrence
Medical Oncologist
Dr Kirsty Danielson
Basic or Translational Researcher/Surgeon
Dr Iain Ward
Radiation Oncologist
Dr Jane So
Medical Oncologist
Ms Lindah Chikazhe
Study Coordinator
Dr John Mak
Medical Oncologist/GI Cancer Trials Clinical Research Fellow
Kristin Bernstone
Chief Executive Officer, Gut Cancer Foundation
Vanessa Durant
Medical Oncologist
Jodie Collins
Chair, Community Advisory Panel
Annual Scientific Meeting Organising Committee
The ASM Organising Committee is comprised of various subcommittees, all of whom collaborate to plan our flagship Annual Scientific Meeting, the largest GI oncology conference in the region.