Caroline Ford (medical researcher)

Last updated

Caroline Ford
Alma mater University of New South Wales (Ph.D.)
Known forSTEMMinist Bookclub
Scientific career
FieldsCancer research
InstitutionsUniversity of New South Wales

Caroline E. Ford is an Australian scientist at the University of New South Wales and advocate for women in science. Her research aims to understand why gynaecological cancers develop, how they spread and how best to treat them, [1] and she leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales, which was established in 2010. [2]

Contents

Education

Ford completed her Ph.D. at the University of New South Wales in oncogenic viruses, particularly related to breast cancer. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] She also has completed a Graduate Certificate in University Learning & Teaching. She completed her first postdoctoral research appointment at the University of Toronto [5] and her second position was at Lund University [5] [9] where she investigated mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) sequences in breast tumour samples from women and men. [9]

Career

Late in 2009, she came back to work at her alma mater, the University of New South Wales. [10] Ford leads the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at the University of New South Wales. [1] [2] [11] [12] Her team has a particular focus in the Wnt signalling pathway, which is involved in cancer metastasis, the role of ROR1 and ROR2 receptor molecules in spreading cancer, and how they can be blocked to stop metastasis. [12]

Ford convened Australia's first massive open online course (MOOC) on personalised medicine. [13]

STEMMinist Bookclub

Ford started the global STEMMinist Bookclub in early 2018, bringing together three of her great loves — science, feminism and reading. [14] This has evolved into a bimonthly bookclub and forum for discussing feminism, inclusion and diversity in STEMM. [15] Since its establishment it had 4,000 members from 25 different countries in 2018, with online discussions on Twitter. Members meet up physically in cities around the world, including Sydney, New York, Atlanta, Dublin, Istanbul, Montreal, Vancouver, Cambridge and Oxford (often in a pub). [16] Ford was interviewed about the STEMMinist Bookclub by Jane Caro and Catherine Fox for an episode of their Women With Clout podcast in July 2019. [17]

Recognition and awards

Selected works

Journal articles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krukenberg tumor</span> Medical condition

A Krukenberg tumor refers to a malignancy in the ovary that metastasized from a primary site, classically the gastrointestinal tract, although it can arise in other tissues such as the breast. Gastric adenocarcinoma, especially at the pylorus, is the most common source. Krukenberg tumors are often found in both ovaries, consistent with its metastatic nature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BRCA1</span> Gene known for its role in breast cancer

Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BRCA1 gene. Orthologs are common in other vertebrate species, whereas invertebrate genomes may encode a more distantly related gene. BRCA1 is a human tumor suppressor gene and is responsible for repairing DNA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovarian cancer</span> Cancer originating in or on the ovary

Ovarian cancer is a cancerous tumor of an ovary. It may originate from the ovary itself or more commonly from communicating nearby structures such as fallopian tubes or the inner lining of the abdomen. The ovary is made up of three different cell types including epithelial cells, germ cells, and stromal cells. When these cells become abnormal, they have the ability to divide and form tumors. These cells can also invade or spread to other parts of the body. When this process begins, there may be no or only vague symptoms. Symptoms become more noticeable as the cancer progresses. These symptoms may include bloating, vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, constipation, and loss of appetite, among others. Common areas to which the cancer may spread include the lining of the abdomen, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmen Duncan</span> Australian actress and activist (1942–2019)

Carmen Joan Duncan was an Australian-born stage and screen actress and activist, with a career locally and internationally in the United States that spanned over 50 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeannie Ferris</span> Australian politician

Jeannie Margaret Ferris was an Australian politician, lobbyist, journalist, and Liberal Senator for South Australia.

Gynecologic oncology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, cervical cancer, and vulvar cancer. As specialists, they have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers.

Risk factors for breast cancer may be divided into preventable and non-preventable. Their study belongs in the field of epidemiology. Breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, can result from multiple environmental and hereditary risk factors. The term environmental, as used by cancer researchers, means any risk factor that is not genetically inherited.

The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) is a voluntary scientific organization that provides a forum for collaboration among the world's leading cancer and genomic researchers. The ICGC was launched in 2008 to coordinate large-scale cancer genome studies in tumours from 50 cancer types and/or subtypes that are of main importance across the globe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olaparib</span> Chemical compound (cancer therapy drug)

Olaparib, sold under the brand name Lynparza, is a medication for the maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer in adults. It is a PARP inhibitor, inhibiting poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), an enzyme involved in DNA repair. It acts against cancers in people with hereditary BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, which include some ovarian, breast, and prostate cancers.

Witchery is an Australian fashion label specialising in women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Part of the Country Road Group, Witchery operates stores across mainland Australia, New Zealand and concession stores in Myer, David Jones, and Woolworths South Africa. Based in Burnley, Victoria, Australia, the company has its flagship store located at Chadstone Shopping Centre, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The company is a supporter for Ovarian Cancer Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Lawson (Australian doctor)</span> Australian public health doctor and scientist

James "Jim" Sutherland Lawson is an Australian public health doctor and scientist, known for research on breast cancer and for public health services and prevention programs, currently in use in Australian and international public health services.

Michelle Haber is an Australian cancer researcher in the field of childhood cancer research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Jacobs (oncologist)</span>

Ian Jacobs is an academic, medical doctor, gynaecological oncologist, charity founder and university leader from the UK, with dual British and Australian citizenship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mika Simmons</span> British actor

Mika Simmons is a British actress and film-maker who is known for playing Queen Anora on Dragon Age, the BAFTA winning Falling Apart, and BBC Showtrial, and the award-winning Rain Stops Play and My Week With Maisy.

Catherine Louise Fox is an Australian freelance journalist, author, feminist, and public speaker.

Maria Kavallaris is an Australian scientist, based at the University of New South Wales' Children's Cancer Institute, where she is best known for her contributions to the field of cancer research. On 25 January 2019, Kavallaris was appointed a member of the Order of Australia.

Bettina Meiser is a professor at the University of New South Wales, with expertise in the psychosocial aspects of genetics; cancer, hereditary cancer, and the impact of genetic counselling and testing.

Wendy Rosamund Brewster was a British-born American gynaecologist who was Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Director of the Center for Women's Health Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Julia Lesley Wilson is a British scientist who serves as associate director at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Her research career investigates transplant rejection, cancer and inflammation. She previously worked at the World Cancer Research Fund and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nina Einhorn</span> Swedish physician, cancer researcher

Nina EinhornnéeRajmic (1925–2002) was a Jewish Polish-born Swedish physician who conducted research in the field of gynaecological oncology. A survivor from the Warsaw Ghetto, she studied medicine in Warsaw, met her husband-to-be, the physician Jerzy Einhorn, and emigrated to Sweden in the late 1940s. In 1964, she was engaged by the Radiumhemmet cancer treatment centre which she headed from 1986. Specializing in research into ovarian cancer, she chaired both the Swedish Ovarian Cancer Study Group and the International Gynecological Cancer Society. Einhorn also supported the Jewish cause, chairing for a time the Israeli institution Keren Hayesod. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, she continued to conduct research until her death in May 2002.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Evans, Mel (18 April 2015). "White Shirt Campaign: Aussie celebrities support the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation". Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Associate Professor Caroline Ford | Medicine". med.unsw.edu.au. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  3. ↑ "Vaccine possible for virus-related breast cancer". The Province. Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Agence France-Presse. 18 August 2003. p. 12. Retrieved 9 August 2019– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Evenson, Brad (19 August 2003). "Virus linked to breast cancer. Australian Research". National Post. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. p. 13. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 McQuarrie, Vanessa (2006). Going Global. Jobs that take you around the world. Career FAQs. pp. 82–83. ISBN   9781921106538 . Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  6. ↑ Salter, Christopher (18 August 2003). "Breast cancer vaccine closer". The Advertiser. Adelaide, South Australia. p. 7.
  7. ↑ Robotham, Julie (18 August 2003). "Virus may be linked to breast cancer, study suggests". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 6.
  8. 1 2 3 Cooper, Dani (8 October 2003). "Goliath challenges student prize". The Australian. Australia. p. 24.
  9. 1 2 Jones, Dan (2 June 2007). "Blame the mouse?". New Scientist. 194 (2606): 38–41. doi:10.1016/S0262-4079(07)61380-3. ISSN   0262-4079.
  10. ↑ "Associate Professor Caroline Ford". research.unsw.edu.au. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  11. ↑ Pretorius, Dion (21 August 2018). "Superstars of STEM: Trying to crack the cancer code". Cosmos. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  12. 1 2 Dunlevy, Sue (23 October 2015). "Help to halt ovarian cancer". The Advertiser. Adelaide, South Australia. p. 11.
  13. ↑ "UNSW MOOC: Delving into your own DNA – are the benefits worth the risks? | Medicine". med.unsw.edu.au. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  14. ↑ "Women With Clout on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  15. ↑ "STEMMinist Book Club". Goodreads. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "The book clubs that are uniting 'Stemminists' around the world". Positive News. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  17. ↑ "Women With Clout: Caroline Ford on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  18. ↑ "Dr Caroline Ford". Science and Technology Australia. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  19. ↑ "Winners of the 2018 Women's Agenda Leadership Awards". Women's Agenda. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  20. 1 2 "Witchery: Shop Women's Fashion & Clothing Online". www.witchery.com. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  21. ↑ "Why the white shirt matters". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.