The Oliva Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professor Marco Herold.
Professor Herold officially commences his role as CEO and Head of La Trobe University’s School of Cancer Medicine on 20th March 2023.
As many of you will already know, Professor Herold has worked at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) since 2008 and served as a Laboratory Head in the Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division and Head of the Genome Editing Facility. He is a NHMRC L2 Investigator, a former Broomhead Centenary Fellow, and Honorary Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne.
In his primary role as CEO of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI), he will lead research governance, bring together all necessary stakeholders to achieve the Institute’s strategic priorities, and deliver impact on the community through discovery and development of improved cancer therapeutics. This will include forging and sustaining critical connections with industry, fostering collaborations both within ONJCRI and with external entities; and capitalising on existing strengths, assets, and successes of ONJCRI.
Moreover, Professor Herold will amplify the Institute’s research capabilities through his leadership of a new Genome Engineering and Cancer Modelling Program. His research team will be focused on using advanced genome-wide CRISPR screening, including gene and base editing in vitro and in vivo, to discover drug resistance factors and targets that enhance immune therapies to improve cancer treatments for cancer patients.
Professor Herold is very excited to join the team at Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and steer the Institute into a new phase of growth.
“My vision at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is two-fold; we will do everything in our power to improve treatments and outcomes for cancer patients, but we will also aim to alleviate some of the negative aspects of exiting treatment protocols, helping to improve quality of life,” said Prof Herold.
“This is a great opportunity for me to lead the staff and students at the ONJCRI and ensure our people are collaboratively striving to deliver maximum benefit to the community.”