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    Dr Vivian Chua

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Dr Vivian Chua

Dr Vivian Chua is a Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow in the School of Medical and Health Sciences and leads the Cancer Cell Biology research group in the Centre for Precision Health.

Background

I am a cancer and molecular biologist. I completed my PhD in 2016 from the University of Western Australia. I then trained as a postdoctoral research fellow at Thomas Jefferson University, focusing on uveal melanoma research, under the supervision of Professor Andrew Aplin. I was promoted in 2020 to Research Instructor and to in 2022 to Research Assistant Professor within the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA.

Research Areas and Interests

My research area is in metastatic uveal melanoma, the deadliest form of eye cancer in adults that represents about 5% of all melanomas. Uveal melanoma metastasises primarily to the liver and responds poorly to clinically available therapies. My research aims to 1) investigate mechanisms promoting the metastasis of uveal melanoma (with specific focus on BAP1 mutations), 2) identify novel therapeutic targets for metastatic uveal melanoma, and 3) uncover more effective treatment strategies for metastatic uveal melanoma. Other research interests include studying tumour interactions with the liver microenvironment, targeting liver metastases, and the roles of diet/nutrition on the development and growth of liver metastases.

Associations

  • 2016-present: The Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) (Member)
  • 2015-present: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Active Member)

Awards and Recognition

  • 2023: Melanoma Research Institute of Excellence Pilot Award
  • 2022: Melanoma Research Institute of Excellence Pilot Award
  • 2022: Department of Defense (USA) Melanoma Research Academy Scholar Award
  • 2017-2019: National Cancer Center Postdoctoral Fellowship (USA)
  • 2017-2018: American association for Cancer Center (AACR)/Ocular Melanoma Foundation (OMF) Postdoctoral Fellowship (in memory of the Kammerman family) (USA)
  • 2017: Jefferson Postdoctoral Travel Fellowship (USA)
  • 2012-2015: University of Western Australia (UWA) Safety Net Top-Up Scholarship, University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, Australia
  • 2012-2015: Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, Australia
  • 2014: Basic Science Encouragement Award for Oral Presentation, Young Investigators’ Day, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
  • 2013: Silver Prize for Oral Presentation, Australian Society for Medical Research Symposium, Perth, Australia
  • 2012: Basic Science Encouragement Award for Oral Presentation, Young Investigators’ Day, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
  • 2010: Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence (Australia)
  • 2009: Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence (Australia
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