Richard Scolyer Honoured with Brain Cancer Research Chair
Today, I want to share a story that’s both inspiring and deeply moving. It’s about Professor Richard Scolyer, a name that many Australians now know not just for his scientific brilliance, but for his courage in the face of terminal illness. Professor Scolyer, who was jointly named Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside Professor Georgina Long, has dedicated his life to cancer research. Now, as he faces what he calls his “end point,” his legacy is being cemented in a remarkable way.
Recently, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $5.9 million commitment to establish the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research at Sydney’s Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. This new position will focus on developing treatments for one of the deadliest cancers affecting Australians under 40. Brain cancer’s survival rate has long been devastatingly low, comparable to stage four melanoma almost two decades ago. But the breakthroughs achieved by Professor Scolyer and his colleagues have already changed the outlook for melanoma patients and hold enormous promise for brain cancer research.
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What makes this story particularly poignant is that Professor Scolyer himself is a patient. In June 2023, he was diagnosed with incurable stage four brain cancer and given only months to live. Despite this, he continued his research and became the first person in the world to receive combination immunotherapy before surgery, alongside a personalized vaccine to treat his glioblastoma. Even after a complex surgery left a tumor partially untreated, his determination never wavered. “It’s a tough journey, up and down,” he told reporters recently. “As an end point—who knows how far it is away—but we’re definitely getting closer.”
What stands out is his humility. Professor Scolyer has repeatedly insisted that the new research chair should not bear his name. He says that his goal has never been personal recognition but making a tangible difference for patients. “My name or not, it’s not where the difference happens,” he explained. His focus remains on the science, the treatments, and the hope that better therapies for brain cancer can be developed in the coming years.
Prime Minister Albanese praised both Professor Scolyer and Professor Long as embodying “skill, tenacity, and courage,” inspiring countless Australians. The announcement of the research chair is not just a tribute—it’s a commitment to the future of cancer research, ensuring that the discoveries made by these pioneering scientists continue to save lives long after their own challenges.
In the midst of his personal battle, Professor Scolyer’s work has already changed the landscape of cancer treatment. The establishment of the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research promises that his dedication, insight, and groundbreaking spirit will continue to shape the fight against one of the world’s most aggressive diseases. It’s a story of hope, resilience, and the profound impact one person can have on countless lives.
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