Cancer care researcher Raymond Chan has dedicated his career to improving the outcomes of people diagnosed with cancer.
Associate Professor Chan, from QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), contribution to supportive cancer care research saw him join 12 other young scientists in this year’s Tall Poppy awards held in Brisbane on Wednesday August 17, 2016.
QUT microbiologist Dr Makrina Totsika was named co-winner of the Queensland Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year with UQ’s Dr Barnaby Dixon.
Associate Professor Raymond Chan is working with cancer patients to test innovative solutions to reduce complications and distressing symptoms during and after treatment.
“The focus of my research is on nurse-led research that aims to improve patient outcomes during and after they completed their cancer treatment,” Assoc Professor Chan said.
“In the past, not too many nurses would see themselves as scientists or researchers, however, I have been extremely lucky to have been mentored by some of the brightest pioneers in the field including Professor Patsy Yates who heads QUT’s School of Nursing.
“One of the strengths of nurses is that we practise in a bio-psycho-social model to care for and achieve the best outcomes for our patients so are best placed to develop the science in all these three aspects.”
Assoc Professor Chan is the current President of Cancer Nurses Society of Australia, the peak professional body that represents over 1200 cancer nurses in Australia.
In 2014, he was awarded the Queensland Premier’s Award for Excellence in Leadership, in recognition of his role in building capacity for research in the Queensland’s largest cancer centre.
Ten years earlier, when he graduated from his undergraduate degree, he was assigned to the cancer care unit at the Mater Hospital.
Since then, cancer and palliative care became his career calling.
His research program is nurse-led, and he collaborates with a range of scientists and researchers including oncologists, haematologists, allied health professionals, laboratory scientists, and economists.
He said collaboration was the key to his success.
The Young Tall Poppy Science awards recognise intellectual and scientific excellence and encourage young Australians to pursue careers in science.
This event is run in collaboration with Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS).
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