ANZGOG members were recognised for their outstanding contributions to improving outcomes for everyone with a lived experience of gynaecological cancer during the ANZGOG 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting conference dinner.
The ANZGOG Recognition Awards are a chance to recognise members who have made a significant and outstanding leadership contribution to ANZGOG 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: Gwo Yaw Ho
Dr. Gwo Yaw Ho is a Senior Medical Oncologist at Monash Health and an emerging leader in cancer research at Monash University. Since completing his PhD in 2019, he has established the Cancer Immunology Laboratory, focusing on precision immunotherapy for ovarian cancer and pioneering humanised cancer patient-derived xenograft models. He has received 15 individual research awards in the past decade, including the 2024 Monash Oncology Research Institute (MORI) Fellowship.
His groundbreaking work on ovarian carcinosarcoma tumorigenesis, published in Cancer Research (2022), highlights his expertise, with additional research featured in Nature. Beyond the lab, he founded the Monash Live-Biobanking Initiative (MoLBi), which has collected over 25 tumour specimens for solid-tumour research. He also shows commitment to community engagement, has raised $22,000 for WomenCan and advocates for ovarian cancer awareness. Dr. Gwo exemplifies innovation, dedication, and impact, making him a deserving participant for this award.
RESEARCH PIONEER AWARD
Winner: George Au Yeung
This award acknowledges innovative research that has made a vast difference in gynaecological cancer. ANZGOG congratulates George Au Yeung for deservedly winning this award.
George is a clinician-researcher at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and has a research interests in molecular biology of ovarian cancer as well as running novel biomarker driven clinical trials and translational research. After completing his PhD in Professor David Bowtell’s laboratory, where he investigated novel therapeutic strategies for Cyclin E1 amplified high-grade serous ovarian cancer, he became a full-time medical oncologist at Peter Mac. He now works across the Gynae-Oncology and Melanoma service and serves as co-Deputy Director of Medical Oncology.
George has been an integral member of the OASIS Steering Committee for several years and now leads as Chair, driving innovation in clinical trials. His internationally recognised work on the ANZGOG IGNITE study is setting new standards for the OASIS Initiative. A key aspect of his contribution is bridging clinical and pre-clinical research to advance trial design and foster cutting-edge practices within ANZGOG.
ANZGOG CHAIR’S COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD
Winner: Kathryn Cornthwaite and Jane Power
This award recognises an outstanding community volunteer who goes above and beyond to improve outcomes for women affected by gynaecological cancer. ANZGOG is proud to honour Jane Power and Kathryn Cornthwaite for their invaluable contributions as consumer advocates, volunteers, and research supporters.
Jane has been involved with ANZGOG for more than five years, making significant contributions to the Consumer Research Panel and the Survivors Teaching Students program since 2017. She has also provided ongoing support to the research efforts of David Bowtell and Liz Christie’s labs. Jane is known for her generosity in sharing her story, whether with small groups or large audiences, using her positive approach to raise awareness and inspire others.
Kathryn has played a vital role on the Consumer Research Panel, offering thoughtful and insightful feedback on concept and research papers submitted to the Research Advisory Committee. She has been a passionate advocate for ANZGOG, speaking at fundraising events in South Australia and sharing her experience with Lynch Syndrome at ANZGOG education seminars. As an experienced volunteer, Kathryn has mentored and supported newer community members, always stepping up to help when needed. Her quiet yet impactful contributions are deeply valued.
Their dedication, advocacy, and generosity exemplify the spirit of this award, making them truly deserving recipients.
CLINICAL TRIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Winner: Sue Brew
The Clinical Trial Achievement Award acknowledges an individual who has led practice-changing gynaecological cancer research. ANZGOG proudly honours Sue Brew for her outstanding contributions to clinical trials and her dedication to improving research quality.
Sue has been a pivotal member of the ANZGOG Study Coordinators’ Committee since its inception in 2005, serving as Chair from 2011 to 2019. She was also a Director of ANZGOG from 2012 to 2019. With a career spanning decades, she worked as a Study Coordinator in the Department of Medical Oncology at Calvary Mater Newcastle from 1996, while also serving on the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee from 2006 to 2014. More recently, she relocated to Canberra, where she continues her involvement with ANZGOG while working as Research Quality Lead at GenesisCare.
Sue’s commitment to clinical trials at the frontline of research is unparalleled. She has a deep passion for education and played a key role in ensuring study coordinators were well-equipped with the necessary training, resources, and understanding of quality processes in gynaecological cancer trials. Her lifelong dedication to clinical trial excellence has been instrumental in shaping ANZGOG into a leading research organisation, making her a truly deserving recipient of this award.
OUTSTANDING CLINICAL TRIAL SITE AWARD
Winner: Department of Gynaecological Oncology Westmead Hospital
This award recognises an outstanding ANZGOG clinical trial team that advocates for ANZGOG studies, delivering cutting-edge treatment and trial opportunities for gynaecological cancer patients. ANZGOG proudly honours the Department of Gynaecological Oncology at Westmead for their dedication and longstanding contributions to advancing gynaecological cancer research.
Since participating in ANZGOG’s first trial (GOG 182) in 2001, the Westmead team has played an integral role in recruiting 167 patients across 23 trials. Despite initially lacking an official trials unit, they made significant contributions, with the GOG 182 trial alone seeing 10 patient enrollments. Over the years, they have supported trials with funding from patient bequests and industry contributions, passionately advancing investigator-initiated trials. Westmead has also fostered new talent through five ANZGOG Fund for New Research Awards, ensuring the continued growth of young researchers.
For 25 years, the passion and commitment of trial co-ordinators, nurses and doctors at Westmead has been instrumental in fostering, advocating for and encouraging clinical trial participation in the women of Western Sydney, a diverse population who are often under-represented in clinical trials.
Join us in congratulating the winners for their outstanding achievements.
ANZGOG also thanks its 1,500 members working in the gynaecological cancer space who continue to advance lifesaving gynaecological cancer research. Thank you for your ongoing support.
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