At the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI), innovation and collaboration drive our mission to improve cancer outcomes. As we look ahead to 2025, we asked three of our researchers what excites them most about the year to come.
PhD student Katherine Eljammas
Katherine Eljammas – Creating a supportive environment for students
For second-year PhD student Katherine Eljammas, 2025 marks an important year in her research journey. Katherine’s work focuses on gamma delta (γδ) T cells (key players of our immune system), and the factors that influence their function, while assessing their potential as targets for immunotherapies in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Katherine says: “In 2025, I am eager to contribute to groundbreaking research through collaboration, gaining hands-on experience, and advancing my understanding of cancer research to help improve patient care and treatment outcomes.
“Alongside, as a member of the Student Committee, I hope to drive initiatives that create and promote a supportive environment by advocating for resources, providing professional development opportunities, and empowering my fellow students.”
Her dedication to cancer research embodies ONJCRI’s commitment to empowering the next generation of cancer researchers.
Dr Moritz Eissmann – Transforming stomach cancer treatment
Dr Moritz Eissmann is advancing groundbreaking research in stomach (gastric) cancer. His recent study, published in Cell Reports in September 2024, introduced a cutting-edge 3D gastric cancer model called an “organoid,” uncovering new insights into the biology of the disease.
“This year, I’m excited to collaborate with international teams in New Zealand and Singapore to explore how these models can help us understand how to improve immunotherapy response rates and prevent gastric cancer from spreading (metastasising),” Dr Eissmann shares.
Dr Moritz Eissmann in his laboratory at ONJCRI
He is also investigating the use of these organoids as personalised tools to identify the most effective treatment combinations for individual patients.
“Our goal is to tailor treatments to each patient’s unique cancer profile to improve survival outcomes for this disease,” he explains.
This innovative approach not only enhances our understanding of stomach cancer but also represents a significant step forward in precision medicine.
Professor Sarah Ellis at ONJCRI
Professor Sarah Ellis – Pioneering our microscopy Platform
For Professor Sarah Ellis, manager of the ONJCRI’s microscopy Platform, 2025 is an especially exciting year, centred around the arrival of new microscopy equipment that are set to revolutionise how the ONJCRI visualises cancer at the cellular level.
Professor Ellis says: “This year is very exciting due to the installation of two new microscopes, the PhenoImager HT and the PhenoCycler-Fusion. These microscopes expand the capabilities of ONJCRI’s spatial proteomics platform and produce beautiful kaleidoscopic images of thin tumour sections. Each colour depicts a particular biomarker on or within an individual cell allowing researchers to identify each cell and to investigate their relationships with each other and the tumour.
“The PhenoCycler-Fusion is a discovery system, capable of labelling tumour sections with >30 biomarkers to aid in the discovery of novel cell types and to discern which cells are interacting with the tumour.
“The PhenoImager HT is a hypothesis-driven system, imaging smaller panels of biomarkers in many tumour sections to understand the effects of different therapeutic treatments on cancer.
“Both these microscope systems were purchased with the help of a very generous donation and will benefit many cancer research projects from ONJCRI and, through our open access policy, external medical research institutes and Universities.”
Through Professor Ellis’ leadership, ONJCRI continues to lead the way in imaging technologies, enabling researchers to achieve unparalleled precision and insights into cancer.
Looking Ahead
Whether through groundbreaking technologies, interdisciplinary collaborations, or the promise of training the next generation of researchers, 2025 is set to be a year of significant progress in our mission to transform cancer outcomes.
Stay tuned for updates on these projects and more as we continue to pave the way for impactful cancer research.