Our Team

Professor Melissa C. Southey OAM

Co-Director

Professor Melissa C. Southey, BSc (Hons, Pathology) PhD (Medicine), GradDip (Law), is a molecular geneticist (FHGSA) and a Founding Fellow of the Faculty of Science, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FFSc, RCPA).

She is Chair of Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Director of Monash University’s new Biobanking Victoria initiative, based at the Monash Health Translation Precinct and Co-Director of the MPCCC. Professor Southey’s research program has a population-based focus that has been pivotal to the establishment of large genetic epidemiological research resources that are now being utilised to address key questions in cancer research.

Melissa is best known for her work with multiple-case cancer families and heritable risk factors that has provided the evidence base for best practice guidelines for the clinical management of individuals at high risk of the disease.

Professor Southey has led multidisciplinary teams in diagnostic and research settings in Australia and internationally, supported by programmatic awards from the European Commission, the National Institutes of Health (USA), NHMRC and The National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Professor Mark Shackleton

Co-Director

Professor Mark Shackleton (MBBS PhD FRACP) is the Director of Oncology at Alfred Health, a Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Monash University, the Chair of Melanoma and Skin Trials, and a Co-Director of the MPCCC.

After training in medical oncology at the Ludwig Institute in Melbourne, Prof Shackleton undertook PhD studies at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan, USA, with resultant publications in Nature, Cell, Cancer Cell and the New England Journal of Medicine.

He was awarded the 2006 Victorian Premier’s Award for Medical Research, a 2010 NHMRC Achievement Award, a 2011 Pfizer Australia Fellowship, and the Australian Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year in 2012.

Professor Shackleton’s main clinical interests are centred on patients diagnosed with skin cancer, including melanoma. His research interests include cancer biology, developmental biology, oncogenic signalling pathways and clinical trials.

Ms Lama Karroum

Program Manager

Lama is the Manager of the MPCCC Program dedicated to driving advancements in cancer patients outcomes and healthcare practices. Currently, Lama manages the end-to-end delivery of MPCCC's strategic goals and priorities.This responsibility allows her to combine her passion for healthcare with strategic thinking to achieve impactful outcomes. Lama holds an MBA in Health Management, a Master's in Radiation Therapy, an Honours degree in Cancer Research, and a Bachelor's in Molecular Biology. These qualifications have empowered her to bridge the gap between research, healthcare and management.

She's held various previous positions in the oncology trials and psycho-oncology research spaces, including Clinical Trial Coordinator, Research and Database Development Manager and Project Manager. These experiences have shaped her expertise in project implementation and management, clinical research design and conduct including registry-trials, research development and implementation.

Ms Hannah Machin

Communications Manager

Hannah is a Communications Manager with over 13 years' experience working within government, corporate and agency environments.

After starting her career at Alfred Health's Public Affairs department, she developed a passion for healthcare communications and cause driven work.

Hannah oversees the MPCCC's Media Relations, Communications and Event Management. She is dedicated to providing strategic communications guidance and maximising awareness.

Professor Roger Daly

Program Lead, Discovery and Innovation

Professor Roger Daly relocated his laboratory to Monash University in March 2013, where he is Co-Head of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute Cancer Program and Program Lead of Discovery and Innovation for the MPCCC.

Professor Daly is an internationally recognised expert in growth factor receptor signalling and its deregulation in cancer.

Over the last 10 years he has established cutting-edge technology platforms in mass spectrometry-based proteomics and kinomics. These have been successfully applied to the characterisation of cancer signalling networks with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Associate Professor Dayna Swiatek

Cancer Equity Program Lead

Dayna Swiatek is Associate Professor, Cancer Equity Program Lead at MPCCC, where she leads the research and implementation of new cancer equity initiatives funded through the Victorian Government’s 2025–26 State Budget. Her work focuses on expanding access to precision oncology and partnering with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities to co-design programs that improve equity, experience and outcomes in cancer care.

Dayna brings more than 15 years’ experience across government, health, research and not-for-profit sectors, with expertise in health policy, research funding and the delivery of evidence-informed programs. Prior to joining MPCCC, she held senior leadership roles including Manager of the Victorian Cancer Agency at the Department of Health and Head of Strategy, Impact and Equity at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.

She is particularly passionate about embedding lived and living experience into all stages of research and healthcare to ensure cancer care is more relevant, impactful and equitable for all communities.

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Ms Ellie Van Velsen

Project Coordinator (MTB)

Ellie graduated from Melbourne University with a Master of Genomics and Health. She has experience as a project coordinator and research assistant in genomic, rare disease, and disability sectors. She has 7 years of community-facing work, encompassing various roles in organisations focussed on health and disability support. She is passionate about science communication and education, and aims to utilise her MPCCC role to assist oncologists and other stakeholders to understand and utilise genomics to achieve greater health outcomes for their patients.

Dr. Samar Al Bitar

MPCCC Project Coordinator (MTBs)

Samar has a strong foundation in research and research project management. She is passionate about creating a positive change in precision medicine and enhancing the lives of individuals affected by cancer. Samar holds a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology with a focus on cancer, offering a wealth of expertise to her role as MPCCC project coordinator. Her responsibilities encompass coordinating the Molecular Tumour Boards (MTBs), ensuring their seamless operation, and acting as a key liaison point and subject matter expert in relation to the MTB meetings progress and objectives.

Ms Evelyn Loh

MPCCC Project Coordinator

Evelyn comes from a background in clinical trials, rare disease, and marketing and communications within healthcare and research settings. She holds a Bachelor of Biomedicine, and has experience across clinical trial coordination, participant recruitment, and the development of rare disease resources.

Evelyn is passionate about improving health outcomes through strategic project delivery. She is excited to support the effective delivery of MPCCC projects to drive equitable access to cancer care.

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Ms Cassie Haynes

Consumer Liaison Coordinator

Cassie is the MPCCC Consumer Liaison Coordinator that supports the Statewide Consumer-Led Research Program involving partner organisations. She has over 15 years clinical experience as a Radiation Therapist and worked with the Prevention and Wellbeing team at Peter Mac prior to joining the MPCCC. Cassie is passionate about involving people with lived experience in cancer policy, research, education, and clinical care practices to drive change in the cancer sector and ultimately improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.

Ms Mable Ngo

MPCCC Project Coordinator (MTBs)

Mable is currently working at MPCCC as a Molecular Tumour Board (MTB) Project Coordinator. She helps prepare for and ensure the smooth operation of MTB meetings, through which we connect oncology medical and research professionals to advance precision medicine care for cancer patients.

Previously, she worked in pathology as a histology scientist, preparing and processing surgical specimens for pathological diagnosis. This role gave her extensive exposure to the laboratory aspects of oncology specimens, including immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation.