ANZGOG members were recognised for their outstanding contributions to improving outcomes for everyone with a lived experience of gynaecological cancer during the ANZGOG 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting conference dinner.
The ANZGOG Recognition Awards are a chance to recognise members who have made a significant and outstanding leadership contribution over a sustained period of time. Join us in congratulating these members for making a genuine impact on ANZGOG’s research and on the lives of many in the community.
MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER AM AWARD
Winner: Niveditha Rajadevan
Nivi is recognised for her outstanding cross-functional approach to collaboration, consistently demonstrating ANZGOG’s values in her work with members and across teams. She has made a significant contribution to gynaecological cancer research, particularly in her role as Chair-Elect of the Cervical, Vulva and Vaginal Tumour Working Group. Nivi was recently appointed the Lead of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre’s Research and Education portfolio in gynae-oncology. She also is collaborating with other ANZGOG members, both clinical and preclinical, throughout her surgical training, and the evidence of this was her being awarded with a successful MRFF grant alongside Kylie Gorringe for the OrCaS clinical trial.
ANZGOG CHAIR’S COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD
Winner: Alex Neville
Despite ongoing treatment for recurrent endometrial cancer, Alex has made an extraordinary contribution to ANZGOG as a community volunteer. She has courageously and generously shared her lived experience and her vital insights across campaigns, podcasts, national and local media, webinars, fundraising events, meetings with MPs, and even at Parliament House.
She has also contributed to the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative, the State of the Nation: Uterine Cancer reports as well as featured in the ENOUGH video.
Through this sharing, Alex has significantly helped raise awareness, influence decision-makers, and ensure that the voices of people living with gynaecological cancers are heard and seen, making a real difference to research, policy, and community engagement.
OUTSTANDING CLINICAL TRIAL SITE AWARD
Winner: Monash Health
The Trial Team at Monash Health has shown outstanding and sustained commitment to ANZGOG trials since the PARAGON study in 2011. They consistently deliver high-quality research while placing patients at the centre of everything they do.
Monash Health ensures inclusivity and patient advocacy are embedded in their research. They actively work to reduce barriers for culturally and linguistically diverse patients, ensuring all voices are heard.
The team’s dedication is evident in their meticulous trial conduct, protocol compliance, patient support, and innovative initiatives, including structured re-consenting plans, amendment work practices, and ongoing staff education.
RESEARCH PIONEER AWARD
Winner: Kylie Gorringe
Kylie has been a pioneer in mucinous ovarian cancer research, leading the GaMUT study, the first large-scale, multi-disciplinary characterisation of this rare cancer subtype. She established a comprehensive patient-derived organoid and xenograft biobank, enabling high-throughput drug screening, therapy resistance studies, and tumour proteomics. Her work has national significance and has fostered international collaborations to overcome the challenges of research in rare ovarian cancers.
Beyond her scientific leadership, Kylie has actively contributed to ANZGOG as Ovarian Cancer Tumour Working Group Chair and through multiple ASM committees, ensuring research aligns with clinical priorities. She has also established a strong MOC consumer group, connecting research priorities with lived experience.
Equally important, Kylie is an exceptional mentor, fostering independence, rigor, and excellence in early-career researchers. Her work exemplifies innovation, collaboration, and impact in both science and the community.
CLINICAL TRIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Winner: Sandi Hayes
Sandi is being recognised for her outstanding leadership in novel treatments for ovarian cancers and survivorship, including for over a decade of work delivering the ECHO trial results, a body of research that will have a lasting impact globally.
Long before lifestyle interventions were widely considered, Sandi worked across the ANZGOG membership to explore new approaches to patient care and understand the impact of lifestyle on cancer outcomes. Her leadership and innovation have had a lasting impact on gynaecological cancer research.
Sandi’s methodological expertise, collaborative approach, and commitment to mentoring have strengthened ANZGOG’s research culture and capacity. Through her work, she has ensured that research is rigorous, inclusive, and meaningful, and her contributions reflect an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women with gynaecological cancer.
Congratulations to all award recipients for their outstanding contributions.
These achievements are part of a broader, collective effort across the ANZGOG community — researchers, clinicians, nurses, advocates, volunteers and supporters — all working together to advance research and improve outcomes for women.
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