Meet Dr Gwo Yaw Ho – Winner of the 2025 Michael Friedlander AM Award

An ANZGOG and OASIS Committee Member, Dr Gwo Yaw Ho, completed his laboratory-based, translational PhD at WEHI in ovarian and rare cancer research.

Career highlights have included establishing the Cancer Immunology Laboratory, focusing on precision immunotherapy for ovarian cancer and pioneering humanised cancer patient-derived xenograft models; receiving 15 individual research awards in the last decade, including the 2024 Monash Oncology Research Institute (MORI) Fellowship; groundbreaking work on ovarian carcinosarcoma tumorigenesis, published in Cancer Research (2022), with additional research featured in Nature.  

Why did you choose to specialise as a Medical Oncologist in gynaecological cancer?  

My decision was personal. I lost my mother to a rare, untreatable liver duct cancer — an uncommon and aggressive disease that had no effective treatments and few answers. That experience shaped my resolve to do more for people facing cancers that are often neglected, with limited options and little hope. 

During my training, I found myself drawn to gynaecological cancers for exactly this reason. These diseases are complex, often diagnosed at a late stage, and desperately need better treatments. Women facing ovarian and rare aggressive gynaecologic cancers have seen far fewer advances compared to other cancers. I was inspired by the courage of my patients and driven by a belief that every woman’s life deserves the best we can offer – through compassionate care, but also through research that challenges what is possible.  

For me, specialising in this field wasn’t just a career decision — it was a calling to dedicate my research and clinical expertise to making a difference. 

As a clinician, why is research important to you? 

Research is essential because medicine should never stand still. Every patient with cancer whom we have yet to cure brings a new question we must answer. For me, research bridges the gap between today’s limitations and tomorrow’s possibilities. It ensures that when I sit across from a patient, I am offering not only standard-of-care treatments and compassion, but also the very best that science can deliver — and the promise that we are working toward something better. 

Research impacts not only the person sitting in front of me but has the power to change outcomes for women everywhere, and for those facing the hardest-to-treat cancers. My goal is to discover effective treatments for all cancers — no matter how rare — because every life deserves the same chance for hope. 

Why is funding so important for research, particularly with quality of life studies?

“I think that doing “quality of life” research that aims to improve the experience of our patients is extremely important. Unfortunately, there is very limited funding available to do that type of research as it is less likely to compete successfully for government grant funding and will never have industry funding appeal. Hence, we need to find a funding source that understands the importance of this type of research and its potential impact and is willing to provide financial support to facilitate it.”

Congratulations on winning the 2025 Michael Friedlander AM Award! What did the recognition mean to you?  

I felt humbled, deeply encouraged, and motivated to keep pushing forward. Winning the Michael Friedlander AM Award is a powerful reminder that the work we do truly matters — not just to science, but to the lives we hope to change. 

Having the award announced by Professor Clare Scott AM at the ANZGOG Annual Scientific Meeting, in front of my esteemed colleagues, made it even more special. Clare was my PhD supervisor, a mentor, and someone I deeply admire and respect. 

Above all, I dedicate this award to the women I have the privilege of caring for and working for. Many of these women contributed to research knowing they might not personally benefit from it — yet they gave selflessly, knowing their courage would help those who come after them. Their bravery inspires me every day. 

Looking ahead 10 years, what impact do you hope to have made as a clinician-researcher? 

In 10 years, I hope we will have taken away the fear and uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis of gynaecological cancer – so that these cancers are no longer seen as a death sentence, but as diseases that can be truly cured, regardless of their type or stage. 

I want to see a future where no one is left behind in the advancement of cancer treatment and research — where even the rarest and hardest-to-treat cancers have real, effective therapies. 

Most of all, I hope to help usher in a new era of cancer treatment: one that moves beyond the toxicity of traditional chemotherapy, toward therapies that are targeted, personalised, and kinder — offering not just longer lives, but better lives. 

Dr Gwo-Yaw Ho exemplifies innovation, dedication, and impact, making him a deserving recipient of the 2025 Michael Friedlander AM Award.